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Quick Spooky Halloween Popcorn Mix: Easy Sweet & Salty Snack

Halloween popcorn mix - featured image
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This quick spooky sweet and salty Halloween popcorn mix comes together in under fifteen minutes, uses simple pantry ingredients, and delivers a perfect crunchy caramel coating with fun Halloween mix-ins. It’s the ideal snack for busy October weeknights, parties, or movie nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (85g)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (100g)
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup (60ml)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (3g), plus a pinch of flaky salt for finishing
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (1g)
  • 1 cup Halloween candy mix-ins (candy corn, candy pumpkins, pretzel sticks broken in half)
  • Optional: orange and black sprinkles, orange food coloring, edible glitter

Instructions

  1. Pop the popcorn: Place 1/2 cup kernels in a large pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, shake to coat, cover, and cook until popping slows to about 2 seconds between pops (4-5 minutes). Pour into a large mixing bowl and remove any unpopped kernels.
  2. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Place the popcorn in the oven to keep warm while making the caramel.
  3. Make the caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 cup light corn syrup. Stir constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves (about 2 minutes).
  4. Boil the caramel: Stop stirring and let the mixture come to a gentle boil. Boil for 3 minutes without stirring until bubbles get bigger and mixture darkens slightly.
  5. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. The mixture will foam and lighten. Stir until smooth.
  6. Pour hot caramel over warm popcorn. Gently fold with a spatula until evenly coated.
  7. While still warm, gently fold in 1 cup Halloween candy mix-ins (candy corn, candy pumpkins, broken pretzel sticks).
  8. Spread coated popcorn onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky salt and optional spooky sprinkles. Let cool completely (15-20 minutes) until caramel hardens.
  9. Break into clusters and serve or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Don’t rush the caramel boil—3 minutes is crucial for proper setting. Keep popcorn warm before adding caramel for even coating. On humid days, spread popcorn on baking sheet and place in 200°F oven for 10 minutes to help set. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; do not refrigerate. Can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween popcorn, sweet and salty popcorn, caramel popcorn, spooky snack, easy Halloween treat, quick popcorn recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/quick-spooky-halloween-popcorn-mix-easy-sweet-and-salty-snack/