Halloween is upon us which means tiny chocolates showing up left and right that are packed with ingredients we can’t eat. But just because we can’t eat that tempting tiny Snickers doesn’t mean we can’t get the same chocolate, Carmel, peanuty goodness at home.
Enter Snickers inspired popcorn. With homemade vegan caramel, dreamy dark chocolate and salty peanuts, it’s hard not to eat the whole batch yourself.
I popped my own kernels in a pot for this and I suggest you do the same. You can control the flavors, amount and fat. Plus the microwavable stuff has so many chemicals it negates that popcorn is actually very low calorie. Just make sure you follow package directions so you don’t end up with a kitchen covered in popcorn like I always seem to do.
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 1 cup peanuts, salted and roasted
Caramel
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
Chocolate
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (or 4 oz dark chocolate)
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Preheat oven to 250°F. Grease a large baking sheet. Mix popcorn and peanuts in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a small pot over medium-high heat add butter and sugar. Continuously stir until butter is fully melted. Allow to continue to cook, stirriing regularly, for 5 additional minutes or until all the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove carmel from heat and add baking soda. The carmel will immediately lighten and foam, just keep stirring.
- Add salt and vanilla and mix completely. Immediately pour carmel over popcorn and peanuts and stir to coat everything evenly.
- Spread popcorn over baking sheet in an even layer and bake for 45-60 minutes. Carmel should be set and popcorn should be crunchy.
- Once popcorn is out of the oven, melt chocolate and coconut oil. Drizzle over all the popcorn and allow to cool and set for at least 15 minutes.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.