Honey Popcorn
For all of the popcorn lovers or the sweet and salty lovers, or both! This honey popcorn is similar to a caramel corn. Only the "caramel" is actually made with honey! The honey offers a floral sweetness and of course, we have to add some sea salt! It is the perfect combo and a healthier take on a favorite!
Okay you guys, hang in there with me on this recipe. I promise you it all works, just let me explain! Caramel is always made with sugar. It really is just caramelized white sugar. I have been trying to figure out a way to make it from honey as I try to figure out some other recipes where this would be an ideal sticky coating or glue to hold food together.
Well, today, we got it. It is similar to making caramel, only you aren't using sugar. It is so much easier as you don't have to worry about the sugar seizing up or anything burning. You just melt some butter and honey together, let it gently boil for a few minutes, and there you have it!
Once it worked, I of course made some popcorn immediately to dip it in. But then I took it a step further and decided to make full on popcorn (mainly because I popped way too much popcorn for dipping). It turned out so well and is the perfect sweet and salty snack. This honey popcorn would be perfect for a late summer movie treat, a back to school snack, or just to have on the counter to munch every so often! It is so easy to make and I think you will all love it!
Details and Tips!
For the popcorn, I really recommend popping it on the stove. It is so easy to do and so much better for you! All you need is a stainless steel or heavy pot, butter, avocado oil, and popcorn kernels. I put the pot on the stove over medium high heat. I add in the oil and butter to let that melt and start to sizzle. Then I add in the popcorn kernels. Top with the lid and shake the pot back and forth pretty consistently. Once the popcorn starts to pop, keep shaking the pan back and forth until the pops slow down or almost stop. Remove the lid and there you have it, freshly popped popcorn!
The caramel sauce is only three ingredients. You will first melt butter and honey over medium heat and allow that to come to a soft boil. Let that boil for about 6 minutes and then pour in the vanilla. Give it a quick stir and then pour it over the popcorn! Toss everything, lay it on a sheet pan, sprinkle with A LOT of sea salt. And bake!
What you need!
- popcorn kernels - I like the sprouted popcorn kernels from Thrive Market.
- avocado oil
- unsalted butter
- honey
- vanilla extract
- sea salt
Customize!
You can do a lot with this popcorn. It would be so good with chocolate drizzled on top. It would also be good with a little less popcorn and the addition of cereal, nuts, candies, whatever you want added!
Explore more!
Make this popcorn fun and let us know what you create on social media or in the comments! We always love to see what you guys think!
Honey Popcorn
Sweet, salty, crunchy, this popcorn is so good to eat. it is naturally sweetened with honey, no refined sugars, and so easy to make!
For the popcorn
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
For the honey sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sea salt
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Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
For the popcorn
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In a heavy bottomed pan, melt the butter and avocado oil over medium high heat. Once that is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes, add in the popcorn kernels.
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Continuously shake the pan back and forth on the stove, about 5 minutes. The popcorn should start to pop in that time. Once you start to hear popcorn popping, continue to slide the pan back and forth until the popping slowly starts to come to a stop. Remove the lid and spread the popcorn out in an even layer on a nonstick baking sheet.
For the honey sauce
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In a small saucepan, heat the honey and butter over medium heat. Let that come to a gentle boil and continue to gently boil for 6 minutes. Do not increase the temperature above medium heat or the honey will burn.
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The mixture will begin to turn a dark caramel color and it will have a floral smell to it. Once the 6 minutes is up, remove the pan from the heat and add in the vanilla. Give it a gentle stir.
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Carefully pour the hot honey sauce over the popcorn and stir until the popcorn is mostly coated in the sauce.
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Bake the popcorn for 40 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes.
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Let the popcorn cool on the pan for 15 minutes before eating. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.