Pepped Up Popcorn Recipes

PEPPED UP POPCORN

Steps:

• Pop the popcorn according to package instructions. While hot, carefully open package and dump into a large bowl. Drizzle oil over the popcorn, and toss the popcorn with your hands to coat. Add the cheese and toss again. Season, to taste, with salt. Cool. Transfer to a sealed container and tuck in a lunch box.
• Put the sugar, butter, and chili powder in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave on medium (50 percent power) until butter melts, about 1 minute. Stir to dissolve sugar. Drizzle over freshly popped popcorn; and toss to evenly coat. Cool. Transfer to a sealed container and tuck in a lunch box.
• Pop the popcorn according to package instructions. While it's still hot, carefully open and dump into a large bowl. Add the chips and marshmallows.
• Return popcorn to the microwave. Cook on high until the chips and marshmallows get gooey, about 1 minute. Add the peanuts, if desired, and toss with a spoon until all the popcorn is coated. Cool until chocolate hardens, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a sealed container and tuck in a lunch box.

SPICED POPCORN

Steps:

• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add 1 kernel to the pot and cover. When the kernel pops, pour in the remaining kernels, chili powder cumin and cayenne. Cook, covered, shaking the pan until the popping ends. Season with salt to taste and toss.

SPICED POPCORN

Steps:

• Pop the kernels according to package directions and transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in the remaining ingredients until well combined. Pour the spiced butter over the popcorn and toss until evenly coated. Serve.
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SWEET AND SALTY POPCORN MIX

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray. Toss the popcorn, rice crackers, peanuts, sesame seeds and wasabi peas in a large bowl.
• Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then cook, stirring, until thick, about 1 more minute. Remove from the heat. Carefully stir in the vanilla and baking soda (the caramel will bubble).
• Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn mixture and stir with a metal spoon. (Don't worry if the caramel is too thick to coat the mix; it will melt in the oven.) Spread on the prepared baking sheets; bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until evenly coated, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool completely. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

CRANBERRY POPCORN

Steps:

• To make this cranberry corn, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a saucepan with 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 2 tablespoons each sugar and honey and 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and salt. Cook until the cranberries pop, about 3 minutes. Toss with 12 cups popcorn and 1 cup chopped toasted almonds. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees F, stirring occasionally, until dry, about 8 minutes.