Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can caramel popcorn be healthy? ›

While caramel-coated popcorn may be a tempting snack, its simple carbs and high sugar content can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia and other health problems.

Maple syrup fits the bill. A generous half cup infused my caramels with pure, sweet, fall flavor. Each bite is salty, chewy, and full of maple sugar. My recipe is quite simple, but you do need to have a candy thermometer—and patience.

A small serving of caramel popcorn (about 3 cups) can contain around 200-250 calories, while a small serving of cheese popcorn (about 3 cups) can contain around 150-200 calories. However, it's important to note that the exact calorie count will depend on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

Caramel or Sticky Corn

Especially around the holidays, people sometimes like to put additional toppings on popcorn like caramel or other confections. The problem is that these substances adhere to teeth's chewing surfaces and are difficult to remove. They also contain sugar, which feeds bad bacteria in the mouth.

Air popped popcorn uses no oil, meaning it has the fewest calories. “Popping it in oil, however, is a great way to consume a healthy portion of fat to control hunger,” Jeffers says. Not only can you manage serving size, but you can also make it in under 10 minutes in most cases.

While some people said that she added the egg to absorb extra heat, others had different views. "Whole eggs absorb excess heat so it's an easy way to regulate the temperature balance of the other ingredients," a user wrote.

Benefits of cinnamon popcorn and caramel popcorn

In terms of caramel popcorn, a cup of it has a trace amount of iron and roughly 1.3 grams of protein. Additionally, it offers roughly 160 calories, 32 net carbs, and slightly over one gram of fiber. It promotes health.

Golden Syrup

It has the same light color and sweet flavors, and is also an invert sugar, making it a good candidate for candies. Try it as a 1:1 substitute for corn syrup the next time you want to make peanut brittle or soft and chewy caramel candies.

You can still create a suitable substitute for brown sugar if you have a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, brown rice syrup, or date syrup. Of these, date syrup is your best bet thanks to its caramel-like, almost nutty flavor that's reminiscent of molasses.

How long is homemade caramel popcorn good for? ›

The secret to a great caramel popcorn that's evenly coated with caramel with a thin, crispy coating of caramel (rather that globs of sticky caramel) is baking soda and baking the popcorn to dry it out. This caramel corn stays crispy for 2+ weeks!!!

Store the popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within 2-3 days. I've found that if the kernels are completely covered with caramel, they will remain fresh for at least up to a week.

To keep your caramel corn fresh, be sure to store it in an airtight container or resealable bag (making sure to press as much air out as you can). The better you seal your container, the longer it will last. You can store it at room temperature on your counter for up to 2-3 weeks.

While it's important to consume caramel in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, it can provide a quick energy boost, reduce stress, enhance digestion, boost the immune system, and promote healthy skin and bone health.

This delicious treat features caramelized sugar and often molasses, which gives it its distinctive flavor and texture. Growing up my first taste of caramel popcorn had to be Kracker Jack's or popcorn balls from my babysitter.

However, popcorn can have high levels of cholesterol if people prepare it with butter or a sugary coating, such as caramel.