Flavored popcorn with almonds, coconut, walnuts, dried apricots, cayenne, make this irresistible movie night snack special! Savory popcorn or sweet, you tell me!
Popcorn time
Popcorn runs deep in my family.
My parents used to send us to bed, and not much later we’d hear the popcorn kernels falling into the pan.
My sister and I would hop out of bed to see our dad act surprised that we were up. Then we’d all sit on the couch eating popcorn. I’m pretty sure it was my dad’s plan all along – to break the bedtime rule and give us a treat.
It’s no wonder I love popcorn, it’s comfort food. That might explain why I turned to popcorn when I wanted to create a snack for the my book launch of Your 6-Week Guide to LiveBest, Simple Solutions for Fresh Food & Well-Being. Pretty sure this helps me live better 🙂
I’m an author who makes popcorn!
LiveBest Gourmet Popcorn recipe
I like this recipe because there’s something delicious, healthy and different in every bite. The almonds and walnuts boost the crunch-o-meter.
Unsweetened dried coconut, dried apricots and cranberries (or raisins) give some chewy sweetness. It’s spicy, the cayenne is an unexpected hit. If you like spicy, lose your head and double the cayenne. Is your mouth watering? Mine is! Let’s get to popping!
The ingredients
- 15 cups popped popcorn
- 2 teaspoons oil (canola or olive)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds, halved
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Use many of these same ingredients to make artisan fruit crackers.
How to make homemade popcorn
I’m a DIY popper. I learned from my dad.
To join my club you’ll need more commitment than pushing the button on the microwave – a 4-quart pan with lid, oil (I like olive oil) and popcorn. Orville Redenbacher’s is my choice.
How to make stovetop popcorn
- Place the pan over medium heat, pour in oil. Swirl pan to spread the oil. Let it heat for a couple of minutes.
- Pour in popcorn and shake the pan so the kernels get coated with oil. The ideal amount is that the kernels just cover the bottom of the pan.
- Put on the lid, but leave a gap on one side so that steam can escape. As the kernels start to pop, shake the pan so the unpopped kernels fall to the bottom. When popping slows lift the pan from the burner.
- Pour into a large bowl.
1/2 cup popcorn kernels = about 15 cups popped corn
Is popcorn healthy?
Homemade popcorn can be a darn good snack. It’s a whole grain that provides about 5 grams of fiber in 4 cups of popcorn, plus some healthy plant compounds.
But like many things, sometimes the company it keeps can be a calorie bomb…thinking about bacon caramel corn; popcorn balls; drizzled with chocolate and caramel and marshmallows, sprinkled with M&Ms… I know, I’ve made them all! But it can be mean and lean if you sprinkle on:
- chile powder and lime zest
- Parmesan cheese and black pepper
- dried herbs such as basil, tarragon, and parsley
What makes popcorn pop?
Heat and moisture make popcorn pop. Moisture means larger popped kernels. The kernels pop open and puff up with the kernels are heated enough that the moisture inside expands and turns the kernel inside out.
How to store popcorn
Unpopped popcorn can be stored for a year at room temperature. But storing it in the fridge or freezer helps retain moisture if stored airtight.
Pin it for later!
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PrintLiveBest Gourmet Popcorn
LiveBest Popcorn is something delicious and different in every bite. Almonds, coconut, walnuts, dried apricots, cayenne, and oh, yeah, popcorn!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 15 cups popped popcorn
- 2 teaspoons oil (canola or olive)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds, halved
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Place popped popcorn in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized pan, melt butter with oil over medium heat. Add walnuts and almonds, stir occasionally for 5 minutes. Add cranberries and apricots, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes. Stir in coconut, cook 1 minute. Add sugar and cayenne pepper and stir until sugar dissolves, 1-2 minutes. Pour over popcorn. Sprinkle with salt.
Notes
1/2 cup popcorn kernels equals about 15 cups popped corn.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100
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