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Best Easy Halloween Popcorn Mix Recipe

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This easy Halloween popcorn mix combines sweet caramel coating, salty pretzels, and festive candy for a crowd-pleasing snack that comes together in about 20 minutes. Perfect for parties, it’s a simple yet delicious treat that both kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels, or two 3-ounce bags of microwave popcorn, plain or lightly salted)
  • 2 cups mini pretzel twists
  • 1 cup salted peanuts (optional)
  • 1 cup candy corn
  • 1/2 cup candy pumpkin candies
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or M&M’s (Halloween-colored preferred)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, cut into pieces)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup orange and black sprinkles (optional)
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line your counter with wax paper for cooling.
  2. Pop your popcorn to yield about 12 cups. Remove any unpopped kernels. Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add mini pretzels and salted peanuts (if using) to the bowl with popcorn. Toss gently to combine. Do not add candy corn, candy pumpkins, or chocolate chips yet.
  4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir constantly until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved (about 3-4 minutes). Bring to a gentle boil, then let boil for 2 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat.
  5. Stir in vanilla extract (it will bubble up). Add baking soda and stir vigorously until mixture foams and turns lighter in color.
  6. Immediately pour hot caramel over popcorn mixture. Use a silicone spatula to gently fold and toss until evenly coated.
  7. Transfer coated popcorn mixture to a rimmed baking sheet. Spread into an even layer without packing down.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove from oven and stir. Return to oven for remaining 5 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven and immediately transfer popcorn mix to wax paper-lined counter. Spread in a single layer. Let cool completely without touching (about 30 minutes).
  10. Once cool, transfer to a large bowl. Add candy corn, candy pumpkins, and mini chocolate chips or M&M’s. If using white chocolate drizzle, melt white chocolate chips in microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mix using a fork or small piping bag. Add orange and black sprinkles while white chocolate is still wet.
  11. Let white chocolate set completely (about 15-20 minutes). Break into pieces and serve.

Notes

For best results, use plain or lightly salted popcorn; avoid heavily buttered varieties. The caramel coating sets up crispy after cooling. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Do not refrigerate. For a nut-free version, omit peanuts and use extra pretzels or roasted chickpeas. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels. The flavors meld and improve if made a day ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween popcorn mix, caramel popcorn, Halloween snack, easy popcorn recipe, party popcorn, sweet and salty popcorn

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/best-easy-halloween-popcorn-mix-recipe/