Healthy Honey Caramel Popcorn With Crunchy Sweet Pecans (dairy-free & gluten-free)

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Why You’ll Love This Healthy Honey Caramel Popcorn

While this recipe for caramel corn definitely contains sugars, the ingredients are far more natural than the store-bought versions!

This caramel popcorn recipe uses a combination of nut butter sweetened with maple syrup and honey to give it a sticky, caramel-like flavor. Likewise, this makes it delicious but these ingredients also give the recipe some nutritional value. Plus,

• it’s a healthier version of the norm so far better for kids (wahoo healthy fats!)
• it can be customized depending on the nut butter and nuts you choose
• it makes a crazy-thoughtful homemade gift if you’re craftsy

What Can I Use In Place Of Peanut Butter?

In order to make the caramel portion of the healthy honey caramel popcorn, you need nut butter. However, it is up to you which nut butter you opt for! This caramel popcorn uses crunchy (natural) peanut butter and almond butter. That said, any combination of nut butter will work. We like to switch it up and use either hazelnut butter or cashew butter when we have it.

It results in a slightly different flavor but a decadent one none the less!

Stovetop Versus Microwave Popcorn

This healthy caramel popcorn recipe uses stove-top popcorn for a few reasons. Particularly, it’s a healthier option. Microwave popcorn is loaded with potential health risks and not something we keep on hand (I don’t even have a microwave!).

In the same way, I’m sure you can grab unflavored microwave popcorn, it’s a personal preference to me that stovetop just tastes better and fresh.

That said, in a pinch, you could use something like Boom Chick A Pop bagged popcorn which I’m sure would work. That said, we personally like the experience and lead up of making our own popcorn stovetop, listening to the kernels, and getting excited.

It makes for one hell of a movie night.

Can I Use Olive Oil To Pop The Popcorn In Place Of Coconut?

In short, no. The reason this healthy honey caramel popcorn uses coconut oil is that it has a high heat point. Olive oil can become toxic if heated to high soit’s not a great alternative.

Further, since peanut, canola, sunflower, and safflower are all highly processed oils that have issues of their own, we opt for coconut oil. Though avocado oil has a high heat point as well.

Choosing Nuts For The Healthy Honey Caramel Popcorn

When it comes to the crunch in this healthy caramel popcorn recipe the answer is the same as with nut butter: use what you’ve got! Indeed, any combination of nuts will work for this healthy honey caramel popcorn so no need to go rushing out.

• pecans (pecans and walnuts are our favorites!)
• walnuts
• almond
• cashews
• hazelnuts

Using The Healthy Homemade Caramel Popcorn As A Gift

This honey caramel popcorn recipe has another perk also: it freezes well!

Thus, this recipe for caramel corn actually makes a killer Christmas or Valentine’s gift. I do a lot of homemade gifts for friends and family (here are my favorite DIY spa gifts) and this homemade caramel popcorn fits in perfectly in something like a baking basket.

Whip up a big batch, portion out to gift baggies or cellophane, and toss in the freezer until gift-giving begins. It’s thoughtful, delicious and I promise your neighbors will love you far more than if you just give them a coffee card!

Note: when I was making this homemade caramel corn for gifts, I cut squares of cellophane wrapping, rolled my hands into coconut oil and squished the popcorn into balls. Having your hands greased keeps the flavor on the popcorn and also helps hold it together. Place the ball into the cellophane wrapping and pull the ends up evenly. Tie with colored strong and add a homemade label if you need to.

Personally, I think that this plus a cute Christmas mug makes a wonderfully thoughtful gift!

Can I Make The Healthy Salted Caramel popcorn Vegan?

If you’re looking to make this healthy caramel popcorn vegan there are two ways to do it. The best way would be to replace the raw honey with coconut syrup directly. Coconut syrup has a natural caramel flavor and it is thicker than maple syrup so it will help keep the caramel popcorn together, sticky, and delicious.

Alternatively, if you don’t have that on hand (and don’t want to grab it- though you should- it’s freaking tasty on ice cream too haha), you could try a combo of brown rice syrup and maple syrup. However, you’d have play around with the amounts though to get the sweetness that you want as brown rice syrup isn’t overly sweet.

Ingredients In The Honey Caramel Popcorn Recipe

• coconut oil
• popcorn kernels
• crunchy peanut butter
• almond butter
• maple syrup
• raw honey
• walnuts
• pecans
• almonds
• sea salt

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Whisk
• Mixing Bowls
• Pot with pouring spout
• Treat bags if making gifts

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Healthy Caramel Popcorn (dairy & gluten-free)

This healthy honey caramel popcorn is loaded with sweetness, crunch, and flavor! A healthy caramel corn recipe that's simple to make, based on real-food ingredients, and perfect for indulgence. It's full of mouth-watering homemade caramel sauce and topped with crunchy nuts

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 51 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Servings 9 cups

Calories 287 kcal

Author Fit as a Mama Bear

Ingredients

• 1.5 tbs coconut oil
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 1/4 cup natural crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tbs almond butter
• 1/2 cup local raw honey
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn by heating the oil in a pan and air popping (or use a popcorn maker!).

   

2. Transfer to a large bowl when finished.

3. In a small pot on low heat combine the nut butter, honey, syrup, and salt. Whisk until combined.

   

4. Toss the chopped nuts in the popcorn.

   

5. Pour the melted combination over the popcorn and mix immediately with a spatula.

6. Keep mixing until everything is coated, and sticky. Place in the fridge for thirty minutes to harder and then portion.

Recipe Notes

Note: use 1 1/3 cups of the nuts total in any variety you enjoy! Makes 9, one to one and a half-cup servings

All of these ingredients can be found from my Pantry Staples.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Caramel Popcorn (dairy & gluten-free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 287 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Sodium 67mg3%

Potassium 174mg5%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 22g24%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 45mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Stuck on what to whip up for movie night? Rock this healthy honey caramel popcorn recipe and everyone will be one over! Indeed, this homemade caramel popcorn is the perfect blend of sweet and crunchy. Thus, it’s a tasty indulgence or a wonderful gift.