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Crowd-Pleasing Halloween Popcorn Mix with Candy Corn

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This sweet and salty Halloween popcorn mix is incredibly addictive, combining popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, and candy corn with a light caramel coating. It’s the perfect quick and easy treat for any spooky gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels, or 2 bags of microwave popcorn, lightly salted)
  • 1 cup salted peanuts
  • 1 cup mini pretzel twists (broken into bite-sized pieces if large)
  • 1 cup candy corn (classic orange, yellow, and white, preferably Brach’s)
  • 1 cup candy pumpkins (autumn-shaped mellowcremes)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (skip if using salted peanuts and salted popcorn)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line your largest baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pop your popcorn. If using kernels, pop them in an air popper or on the stovetop. You want 12 cups of popped popcorn. Remove any unpopped kernels.
  3. Combine the dry ingredients. In your prepared baking sheet, spread the popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, candy corn, and candy pumpkins. Toss them together gently with your hands so everything is evenly distributed. Don’t crush the popcorn!
  4. Make the caramel coating. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes total.
  5. Add the vanilla and baking soda. Stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will foam up and turn lighter in color.
  6. Pour and toss. Immediately pour the hot caramel mixture over the popcorn mixture. Use your spatula to gently fold everything together until the popcorn and mix-ins are evenly coated. Work quickly.
  7. Bake the mix. Spread the coated mixture into an even layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
  8. Cool completely. Remove from the oven and let the mix cool on the baking sheet for about 30 minutes. Don’t touch it yet!
  9. Break into pieces. Once completely cool, break the mix into bite-sized clusters. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Use popcorn that’s at least a day old for best texture. Don’t skip the baking soda—it makes the coating light and crunchy. For a nut-free version, double the pretzels and add toasted pumpkin seeds. The mix tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/crowd-pleasing-halloween-popcorn-mix-with-candy-corn/