Crunchy and Sweet Honey Popcorn (Really Easy!) Recipe

Introduction

This Crunchy and Sweet Honey Popcorn is a delightful treat that’s both easy to make and irresistibly tasty. With a perfect balance of honey sweetness and a hint of salt, it’s a great snack for any occasion. Enjoy it fresh, crunchy, and packed with flavor!

Ingredients

• 14 cups popped popcorn (½ cup kernels, using stovetop method)
• ½ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• Sea salt flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pop the popcorn using your preferred method, or try the stovetop method for best results. Remove any unpopped kernels by pouring the popcorn over a cooling rack set on a baking sheet or by handpicking them out.
2. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 225°F (about 110°C). Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
3. Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine honey, butter, and fine sea salt. Heat over medium until the butter melts. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and maintain a low boil for 7 to 10 minutes, until the temperature hits 270-280°F (132-138°C).
4. Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up slightly—this is normal and helps create the crunch.
5. Step 5: Toss the honey mixture with the popcorn in either the pan or a large bowl to coat it evenly. Spread the coated popcorn in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, tossing the popcorn every 20 minutes to ensure even coating and crunchiness. Once done, sprinkle with sea salt flakes if you enjoy a salty-sweet contrast. Let the popcorn cool completely before storing.

Tips & Variations

• Use a candy thermometer to monitor the honey mixture temperature for perfect caramelization and crunch.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of cayenne pepper to the honey mixture before baking.
• If you prefer vegan, substitute butter with coconut oil.
• Try mixing in nuts, like pecans or almonds, before baking for added texture and taste.

Storage

Store the cooled honey popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To refresh the crunch, spread the popcorn on a baking sheet and warm it in a 250°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use microwave popcorn for this recipe?

Yes, you can use microwave popcorn as a shortcut. Just make sure to remove any unpopped kernels before coating and baking.

Why do I need to bake the popcorn after coating it?

Baking allows the honey coating to set and crisp up, giving the popcorn its signature crunch. Tossing during baking ensures even coating and prevents burning.

Crunchy and Sweet Honey Popcorn (Really Easy!) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 83 reviews

This Crunchy and Sweet Honey Popcorn recipe delivers a delightful homemade snack that combines the natural sweetness of honey with a satisfying crunch. Made by coating freshly popped popcorn in a warm honey-butter glaze and baking it low and slow, this treat offers an irresistible salty-sweet flavor perfect for movie nights or anytime craving a sweet snack.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Yield: About 14 cups 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Popcorn

• 14 cups popped popcorn (from ½ cup kernels, using stovetop method)

Honey Glaze

• ½ cup honey
• 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

Optional

• Sea Salt Flakes for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Pop the popcorn: Use your preferred method to pop ½ cup of kernels into about 14 cups of popcorn. The stovetop method is recommended: heat a large pot with oil, add kernels, cover and shake occasionally until popping slows. Remove any unpopped kernels by sifting the popcorn over a cooling rack or picking out by hand.
2. Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C). Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside to receive the coated popcorn.
3. Make the honey glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup honey, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a low boil for 7-10 minutes, until the temperature reaches 270-280°F (132-138°C).
4. Add flavorings: Remove the pan from heat. Quickly stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon baking soda. The mixture will foam slightly, which helps create a light, crunchy coating.
5. Coat the popcorn: Pour the honey mixture over the popped popcorn in a large bowl or directly in the baking pan. Toss well to coat all the popcorn evenly. Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake and toss: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, tossing the popcorn every 20 minutes to ensure even coating and crispiness. This slow baking dries out the coating for maximum crunch.
7. Finish and cool: After removing from the oven, optionally sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an extra punch of salty flavor. Allow the popcorn to cool completely on the baking sheet to let the coating harden. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container for storage.

Notes

• Using a candy thermometer ensures the honey mixture reaches the perfect temperature for a crunchy coating.
• Baking low and slow avoids burning the honey while drying it out for crispiness.
• Store the popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week to maintain freshness.
• For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and ensure the honey is replaced with maple syrup (note texture will differ).
• Adding sea salt flakes after baking enhances the salty-sweet balance beautifully.

Keywords: honey popcorn, crunchy popcorn, sweet snack, homemade popcorn, baked popcorn, salty sweet popcorn