This recipe for Spiced Popcorn Snack Mix was first spotted in Rachael Ray’s magazine, but it wasn’t until I saw it on Aggie’s blog that I was convinced I had to make this popcorn for myself (and my friends). This will be the last recipe I post from the Fall Football Party, however. I’m sure ya’ll are getting sick of snack foods and ready to read some hearty meal recipes again. I have some GREAT stuff coming down the pipeline. How about Tempura Asparagus? Oh, this one will be good – go now and buy asparagus to get ready for that post! Also coming up I have Won Ton Soup, Black Olive and Red Pepper Risotto, Firecracker Shrimp, Oatmeal Cookies, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, T-Bone Steak with Baked Sweet Potato…I can’t wait for you to see these dishes!But when you need a spiffed up snack mix, this popcorn was really easy to make and the flavors blend REALLY well together. I found myself picking out all the pumpkin seeds though, they were my favorite.
Here is what you need:
8 cups air-popped popcorn (I used three regular size bags of microwave popcorn which is too much – unless you increase the other ingredients)
1 cup roasted peanuts
1 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
7 TB butter
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I would use more of this next time)
1 tsp cinnamon (I doubled this amount)
Salt and Pepper
I had two sheet pans of this popcorn. One would be better.
I purchased the roasted and salted pumpkin seeds, but you could certianly do this yourself.
Again, I purchased the roasted and unsalted peanuts, but you could toast these yourself too.
Butter into a hot pan.
Melt it.
Add brown sugar and WHISK! Whisk in the cayenne too until bubbling and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
Sprinkle the popcorn with peanuts and pumpkin seeds. Then pour the brown sugar all over the top of the popcorn. Toss to coat. Season with cinnamon, salt and pepper. 
Bake at 200 degrees until toasted, 40 minutes. Let it cool completely. This was very well received. Thanks Aggie for giving me the push I needed to try this snack mix.
Looks yummy. Will have to try this soon. Have you tried making regular popcorn in the microwave? I made a post on how to do that w/ regular popcorn and brown paper bags. You're able to control how much salt and butter are on it and you're not using chemicals for flavoring. I'd love an air popper but we make do by making popcorn this way.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it! This stuff is addicting!
ReplyDeleteKimberly, I remember reading that post. Sounds so resourceful, love the idea.
ReplyDeleteAggie, do I have to throw a party to make this again...or can I make it just for me and Jim?!?!