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You are here: Home / Healthy Recipes / Desserts / Healthy Honey Caramel Popcorn With Crunchy Sweet Pecans (dairy-free & gluten-free)

Last Updated on Nov 6th, 2020 fitasamamabear

Pinterest image with text: two images of caramel popcorn the top of the popcorn in a white bowl and the bottom of the popcorn packaged in a snowman cup
Pinterest image with text: homemade caramel popcorn in a blue bowl with a peach linen behind it
Pinterest image with text: caramel popcorn ina glass bowl with two packaged bags of caramel corn behind it
Pinterest image with text: homemade caramel popcorn packaged in cellophane and placed in a snowman Christmas mug
Pinterest image with text: caramel popcorn ina glass bowl with two packaged bags of caramel corn behind it
Pinterest image with text: two images of caramel popcorn the top in a blue bowl and the bottom packaged for gifts in a snowman mug
Pinterest image with text: two images the top of homemade caramel sauce being poured in popcorn the bottom of caramel popcorn in a white bowl

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

A movie night necessity! This healthy honey caramel popcorn is loaded with sweetness, crunch, and flavor! Likewise, 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. Use is for movie night, Tuesday night (haha), or whip it up as a homemade gift.

Pinterest image with text: two images the top of homemade caramel sauce being poured in popcorn the bottom of caramel popcorn in a white bowl

A healthy movie night tradition if there ever was one! I adore popcorn (and so do my girls) but the same old sea salt can get pretty boring (especially in the winter months when we’re having more movie nights!).

Thus, this healthy honey caramel popcorn is a nice flavor burst from the norm. It’s sweet, sticky, and crunchy all in one. Likewise, it’s the perfect way to indulge with a bit of mindless snacking but know that you’re taking in some nutrients too. 

 

 

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe!

 

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.

Pinterest image with text: homemade caramel popcorn packaged in cellophane and placed in a snowman Christmas mug

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

 

Don’t Forget To Pin This Healthy Honey Caramel Popcorn Recipe!

Pinterest image with text: homemade caramel popcorn packaged in cellophane and placed in a snowman Christmas mug with more bags behind it

 

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featured image with text: caramel popcorn ina glass bowl with two packaged bags of caramel corn behind it
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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!).

    large black pan with stove top popcorn
  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.

    small silver pot on stove with honey, nut butters and maple syrup with a form in it
  4. Toss the chopped nuts in the popcorn.

    In process image of homemade caramel sauce being poured onto 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.

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Last updated on 11/06/2020

Filed Under: Desserts, Healthy Recipes Tagged With: dairy free, gluten free, homemade gift, snack

Comments

  1. Maria DeCotiis says

    04/29/2017 at 6:25 pm

    I love popcorn and peanut butter, this looks so good!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      04/29/2017 at 11:17 pm

      It’s super tasty! Like lick the spoon and grab a bowl before it sets tasty haha

      Reply
  2. R.M. says

    04/30/2017 at 12:38 am

    This looks delicious! I’ll have to make it for my two boys! 🙂

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      04/30/2017 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks- enjoy it!

      Reply
  3. Bobbi says

    11/10/2020 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    OMG…..you may have just made my 2020 and I mean that!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      11/11/2020 at 3:19 pm

      Haha YES! Total win. Seriously though it’s an addictive recipe. You’ve been warned 😉 Double the batch!

      Reply

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Hey There! I’m Shelby, a Certified Strength Coach (CSCS) and certified nutrition coach (PN) in everyday life as well as mama to two beautiful girls! I’m a chronic foodie, workout junkie and feeder of stray cats. I love heavy lifting but am a firm believer that as a mama you’ve got to do whatever the hell that works FOR YOU and I’m here to give you a few ideas. I believe food is fuel but indulgences are a must because well, as you’ll see… I’m a chocolate fiend!

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DISCLAIMERS As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.The content on Fit as a Mama Bear is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented here. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No products mentioned are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
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