Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups freshly popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup roasted nuts (peanuts, almonds, or cashews work great)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup candy corn or Reese’s Pieces
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Pop the popcorn: Start by popping your popcorn. You can use air-popped popcorn or stovetop popcorn. If using microwave popcorn, make sure to choose a plain or lightly salted variety. Measure out 8 cups of popped popcorn and place it in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix in the pretzels and nuts: To the popcorn, add the mini pretzels and roasted nuts. Gently toss the ingredients together until evenly mixed. Set aside.
- Make the caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow the mixture to boil for 3-4 minutes without stirring to let the sugar fully dissolve and thicken.
- Add the baking soda and vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The caramel mixture will bubble up, so be careful! Stir until everything is well combined.
- Coat the popcorn mix: Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn, pretzels, and nuts. Gently stir to coat everything evenly. Make sure all the popcorn and pretzels are well-coated with the caramel.
- Bake the popcorn mix: Spread the caramel-coated popcorn mix onto your prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even coating.
- Add the candy and chocolate: Once the popcorn mix is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. While it’s still warm, sprinkle the candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, and mini chocolate chips over the mix. Gently toss to combine.
- Cool and serve: Allow the snack mix to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving. The caramel will harden as it cools, creating a deliciously crunchy snack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 4g