Popcorn is a favorite snack in our house for after school and for movie nights.
I love nothing more than to pop a big batch of popcorn in our Whirleypop {it’s the fastest and the best}, douse it with olive oil, salt and brewer’s yeast and retire to our TV room with my husband and girls.
Dinner, optional!
As a whole grain, high fiber food that’s even got a good dose of antioxidants, it’s a pretty good snack choice.
It’s also great for parties. Sure, you can serve a big bowl of this easy kettle corn. Or you can make things really festive with peanut butter popcorn balls.
My youngest daughter loves them for birthday parties and class parties. And we bring them to our neighborhood Halloween party every year.
This year, I decided to toss in some chopped apples, because who does not love peanut butter with apples? And it seems that everyone can use an extra serving of fresh foods on Halloween.
What do these popcorn balls have that others don’t?
They’re homemade, chewy, tender and vegan. And they’re easy to make–like right before the party.
The sweetener and the “glue” is brown rice syrup made from brown rice. Yes, it’s still sugar, so it’s no “healthier” than any other form of sugar. But I use it as a substitute for corn syrup in recipes like this.
Because on Halloween night this popcorn may just be the healthiest thing my kids eat.
For one night a year, it’s all okay.
Have fun!
What holiday treats are you cooking up? Let me know in the comments below or tag a photo #lynnesforage on Instagram or Facebook
Peanut Butter-Apple Popcorn Balls
Turn popcorn into a special treat for kids with just 3 more ingredients. These peanut butter-apple popcorn balls are chewy and tasty for Halloween, birthday and class parties. Decorate as desired.
- 8 cups popcorn, unpopped kernels picked out (organic)
- 1 cup (1 medium) diced crisp apples (organic)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or nut butter, such as almond or cashew (organic )
- 1/2 cup brown rice syrup
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Place the popcorn in your largest mixing bowl and toss with the apples.
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Combine the peanut butter and brown rice syrup in a saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat and stir with a rubber spatula just until the mixture is liquid and very smooth.
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Pour the peanut butter mixture over the popcorn and toss to coat as evenly as possible.
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Portion the mixture into 12 popcorn balls, pressing very firmly to form. If it sticks to your fingers, keep a dish of water nearby to moisten your hands and keep pressing. Store uncovered until ready to serve.
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