Crunchy peanut butter popcorn has that perfect sweet and salty balance. It is perfect for movie night, game night, tailgates and more!
This peanut butter popcorn has that sweet and salty thing going for it. If you like caramel corn and peanut butter, this is the perfect snack for you.
Little Dude and I both have a love for peanut butter and popcorn. So, I thought we should mix them together and see how it goes.
The first time I tried making peanut butter popcorn, I made it using the same idea as Jenny’s Smacky Delcious Mix and Grandma Scharnhorst’s Microwave Caramel Corn where you use the microwave to dry it out.
While that method works great for some things and certainly saves some time, I couldn’t get the texture I wanted for this recipe. So I reverted to using the oven to get that crunchy finish like in baked caramel corn.
Baking it in the oven does take a little bit of time, but it is totally worth it. Besides, it is not active time.
You can be doing other things while you wait for the timer to beep. Then it’s just a quick stir and back in the oven. Easy peasy!
What is this peanut butter caramel popcorn like?
While looking for recipes that combine our love for peanut butter and popcorn, I found variations that involve just drizzling warm peanut butter over popcorn. I also found sticky versions of peanut butter popcorn.
But neither of those are very practical if you want to take it along with you. Or if you are needing to keep your hands clean while you eat it!
This popcorn is more like a peanut butter version of Cracker Jacks. In fact, you could add peanuts and make it just that.
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The peanut butter mixture is baked onto the popcorn to help it form a crisp crust of sweet peanut butter goodness on the kernels. Once it is cooled you can bag it up.
That makes it perfect for taking with you to game night. It also makes it fun to pass out as a party favor or edible gift.
Tips and Tricks
You can pop your own popcorn for this recipe or use two bags of microwave popcorn. It will be delicious either way.
Be sure to use a large saucepan when making the caramel. It foams and expands when you stir in the baking soda.
If you don’t want to use corn syrup, substitute in maple syrup or honey instead. Or check out my collection of substitutes for corn syrup.
Don’t overcook the caramel mixture once it comes to a boil. It will become to thick and hard to work with.
Make sure to spread over wax paper while it is still warm otherwise it will harden into one big sheet of popcorn and may stick to the pan.
Cool completely before storing to optimal crunchiness and longest shelf life.
Want an extra decadent treat? Drizzle with melted chocolate!
Or add candy corn and peanuts to make a hillbilly hash popcorn snack mix.
Storage
You peanut butter popcorn can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a week or two. Just be sure to keep it out of humidity and it should stay crunchy and delicious.
Peanut Butter Popcorn
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F and grease a rimmed baking sheet
- Place 12 cups popped popcorn in a large bowl and set aside
- In a large saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium-low heat. Stir in ⅓ cup light corn syrup, ⅔ cup light brown sugar, 1 pinch salt and ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter. Cook, stirring frequently until it comes to a low boil. Continue to boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
- Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Be careful as the mixture is really hot and it is going to bubble up quite a bit.
- Pour hot peanut butter caramel over popcorn and toss to coat.
- Spread popcorn over prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Spread popcorn over wax paper to cool. Once cooled completely, store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Video
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Delicious!! I made my first batch and it’s so good. I’m making more for a bake sale. When I used my two bags of popcorn on my first batch…I didn’t think about the unpopped kernels in the bottom of the bag. Any advice on separating that.
Yes, the unpopped kernels are the worst! If you shake the bag of microwave popcorn with the hole down (before you open it!) the kernels should come out. Otherwise, I like to put the popcorn in a bowl and transfer it to another bowl using my hands. The unpopped kernels usually fall to the bottom and can easily be left behind.
Read this recipe yesterday, knew I had to try it since it sounds so close to the Peanut Butter caramel popcorn they have at Trader Joe’s…so addicting yet kinda expensive, for popcorn and now here I am.
I tried it today and it’s really really really good. Needs a little more PB so I may try a batch with some PB powder in the mix, can’t wait to experiment more, thank you.
Now the hard part, not eating the whole batch at once haha
Not eating too much is definitely a challenge! More peanut butter would be great. Let me know how it goes.
I just made this and I have to say it is simply wonderful! It’s like caramel corn with a touch of peanut butter. Not overly sweet. Easy to make and not a hard popcorn. I used 3 of the 2.03oz packs of the microwave popcorn to make this (each pack yields about 4c of popcorn). This is definitely something I will make again
I am so glad you liked it!
Has anyone made this dairy free? I have two kids who are allergic to dairy. I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has made this using non-dairy “butter”.
I haven’t tried it, but hopefully someone will chime in.
I hope you do!
Hi Carlee, seeing recipes like this make me imagine winter nights curled up in front of the television. I do like a sweet coated popcorn and a peanut butter/ caramel coating sounds right up my street.
xx
It is perfect for munching while watching some TV. Thanks, Debbie!
Definitely trying this. Next road trip, this will be in the car with us!
Yay! I hope you love it!
Looks good, I now want to have it for breakfast;-)
I say go for it!
Oh goodness… I just can't make it – I'd eat the whole batch. Sounds soooo good!
It is really hard to share!
Love the peanut butter twist! Perfect for tailgating or family movie night.
Thank you!