Hi Everyone!
Happy Sunday to you!! Today’s assignment for #SundaySupper is to make something crunchy. Let me tell you this was the hardest task so far. For crunchy all I could think about was celery or burnt food. Neither of those would do for a post. So I asked my Husband, what is crunchy? He said Captain Crunch Cereal. I told him I can’t use Captain Crunch because it’s not healthy, though it was a childhood favorite cereal. So I googled Captain Crunch Cereal, thinking maybe I could make it from scratch. ha ha Impossible!!! I had a recipe saved from a year ago to make Sesame Sticks. I spent two hours making them on a Saturday morning, they looked perfect. I baked them up and tried one, they were ok, but was missing something. So a few hours later, I tried one and guess what, they were soft, not crunchy. That recipe was a bust. So I thought popcorn, I burnt the first batch making it. I stunk up the whole house. Made a second batch, made my recipe that I had in my head and came to realize, I didn’t make enough popcorn and my recipe, all though tasty wasn’t blog worthy. Sigh…. What the heck is crunchy? I wanted to make something a little different. I thought granola bars, but nah, so what next? I had popcorn on the brain, so I did a wing it recipe and to my surprise it turned out, and turned out great! Woohoo!! I did it, crunchy, healthy and a hit with friends and family! Bingo!!!! So I am happy to say I have a recipe for you today!
Today’s recipe is homemade Peanut and Pretzel Popcorn Balls! They are so good! Crunchy and have just the right amount of popcorn, nuts and pretzels. I took these to work and they were a hit and my Husband took some to his work and his friends loved them!! Woohoo!!
These popcorn balls are healthy too and do not contain any corn syrup or marshmallows. To make the sticky syrup I used brown rice syrup and peanut butter! You know I had to get peanut butter in there somewhere. The brown rice syrup works like a dream. You can find it in the health food section of the grocery store. I actually bought marshmallows, but decided at the last-minute to try to make them a tad more healthy and to my surprise it came out perfect!!! As for the popcorn, I gave up popping it on the stove, due to burning and used a healthy bag of popcorn that I picked up at the store. The brand I used is Popcorn Indiana Fit with Sea Salt. I am so glad bagged popcorn worked, it cut the making time in half!! Plus it tasted so good!!! I munched on some popcorn as I was making my syrup. Yummy!
- Serves: 36 Popcorn Balls
- Serving size: 1 Popcorn Ball
- 10 cups popcorn ( I used Popcorn Indiana Fit Sea Salt)
- ¾ cup honey roasted peanuts
- 1 cup pretzel sticks, broken up (one serving)
- ½ cup brown rice syrup
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray a spatula with cooking spray; set a side.
- In a large bowl add popcorn, peanuts and pretzels; mix together, set aside. NOTE: Make sure you have no popcorn kernels in the mix
- In a medium sauce pan, add brown rice syrup, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Over medium heat, stir to bring to a boil. Keep stirring and let it boil for about two minutes. About 8 minutes total time. Pour over popcorn and with cooking sprayed spatula mix together until popcorn is covered. Pour onto prepared baking sheet.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray and grab a chunk of popcorn and squeeze into a ball. I made mine a little bigger than a golf ball. You must work quickly before the popcorn cools. Make sure when grabbing popcorn you grab some peanuts and pretzels, as they tend to fall to the bottom.
- Let cool for a few minutes and serve and enjoy!
- To store, wrap the popcorn balls in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
These popcorn balls are perfect for a nice snack, to serve at a football party or to put in the kids lunches. The key to keeping them fresh is wrapping them in plastic wrap and storing them in an airtight container.
I am really happy that I got to show you a new and fun recipe! I enjoyed making these and plan on changing up the recipe a little in the future to try different flavor popcorn balls. I’m thinking spicy!!
Have a great day and be sure to check out what the crew made for their crunchy #SundaySupper mission. I can’t wait to see what they came up with!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Crispy Appetizers:
Bitterballen from The Urban Mrs. Caprese Wontons from Jane’s Adventure in Dinner Crispy Broccoli Cheddar Bites from Curious Cuisiniere Waldorf Salad from Noshing With The NolandsCrunchy Entrees and Sides:
Crunchy Baked Chicken with Homemade Shake and Bake from Growing Up Gabel Crunchy Crusted Chicken Strips with Chipotle Honey Mustard from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventure Flautas de Rajas con Queso (Cheesy Poblano Pepper Taquitos) from La Cocina de Leslie Penny’s Taco Salad from Webicurean Popcorn Chowder from The ROXX Box Rosemary Garlic Croutons on layered Savoy Cabbage Soup from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen Strawberry and Mozzarella Flatbread from Family FoodieMunch on Snacks:
Crunchy & Chewy Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Cupcakes & Kale Chips Crunchy Granola Bars (Better than Nature Valley) from Shockingly Delicious Crunchy Pumpkin Pie Spice Roasted Chickpeas from Daily Dish Recipes Duck Fat Chex Mix from The Texan New Yorker Easy Vegan Granola from Killer Bunnies, Inc Fried Veg Momos with Cheese Recipe from Masala Herb How to Make Homemade Sweet and Salty Trail Mix from Neighborfood Orange Spiced Cashews from Hip Foodie Mom Peanut and Pretzel Popcorn Balls from Peanut Butter and Peppers Roasted Pumpkin Seeds from Hezzi-D’s Cooks and Books Slow Cooker Bar-B-Q Party Mix from Hot Mamma’s Kitchen Chaos Sourdough Grissini from girlichef Spicy Lentil Crackers from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pepitas from Alida’s Kitchen Sweet Potato Chips from Kudos Kitchen By Renee Unbaked Healthy Oatmeal Sesame Bars from My Trials In The Kitchen Vanilla Almonds from That Skinny Chick Can BakeCrisp Dessert:
Boo Berry Cereal Treats from Pies and Plots Choco-Caramel Squares from Basic N Delicious Chocolate Covered Potato Chip Rice Krispie Treats from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen Chocolate Pecan Biscotti from The Food Army Wife Cookie Brittle from Juanita’s Cocina Double Banana Pie Krispie Treats from What Smells So Good? Honeycomb Crunch Candy from Food Lust People Love Momofuku Chocolate Chip Cornflakes Cookies from Ninja Baking Nutty Wedges with Brown Sugar Whipped Cream from Magnolia Days Salted Caramel Cashew Cookies from Mess Makes FoodJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
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Thank you, Jennifer, for the reminder about brown rice syrup. That is a fantastic alternative to corn syrup – which gets into the area of concern about GMOs.
And, yes, how can you beat a combo like popcorn, pretzels and peanut butter? Home run! Or “touchdown” because it’s football season =)
Ahhhhh thank you Ninja Baker!!! I tend to forget about brown rice syrup, but I saw it next to the marshmallows and thought why not, it works great in granola, and now I know it works great in popcorn balls!!
YUM! I will have to try my hand at these…having never made popcorn balls evah! #droolworthy
This was the first time i made them too and it’s so easy!!! You should give them a try!!
Oh those are fun!! There are little pretzel in there =D
I just love pretzels and pretzels and peanut butter are one of my favorite combos!!
all of those “failed” attempts paid off because these look seriously tasty and def. crunchy-licious!
Thank you so much! I am pretty happy with the outcome!!
That is so funny that this was the hardest #sundaysupper for you… but you certainly came up with a winner!
Thank you Isabel! It was a tough one! I don’t know why, but it was!!
I had a hard time trying to figure out something for this week’s theme too! We ended up a pretty similar combination 🙂 Peanut butter and pretzels go wonderfully together! Yum!
Hey when all else fails always go to Peanut Butter it will steer you clear to a perfect recipe! 🙂 Your chocolate peanut butter pretzel cookies sound amazing!!! AMAZING!!! You know I’d eat the whole batch!! By the way greta minds think a like! 😉
Why why why does everything you make look so delicious??! And why I can’t I just be in your kitchen and get me some? You have become my favorite food blogger slowly in the past few months! I love your recipes and you’re using my favorite ingredients most of the time. Thanks for so much inspiration (and some drooling)! Greetings from Eastern Europe
Nora, you are so sweet! Thank you so much!!! You gave me a big smile when I read your comment!! Greetings to you from Sunny California!!!
I love every single thing about these…the salty, the sweet, the crunchy…
Thank you Heather. I love the combination too!!
Oooh, these look irresistible, Jen! I love popcorn balls!
Thank you Liz!
Love that you have peanut butter in these popcorn balls. And what an effort you did for this event. Glad it finally worked out and best of all getting to share this great recipe.
Ahhh, thanks Renee! I am glad I have a recipe to share too!!! Your nutty wedges was a great idea and look so good!
I love how you lightened this up! Fabulous!
Thank you Jen!! 🙂 I tend to eat a lot so I need to lessen the calories wherever I can.
Inspired to try brown rice syrup by your recipe!
Inpired to try brown rice syrup by your recipe!
You could make some awesome recipes using brown rice syrup! It’s so sticky sweet!
wow do those look good! I asked my hubby too–what do I make that’s crunchy? There are lots of things, of course, but I couldn’t think of one!
I know, crazy how that works!! But as soon as I saw the other recipes, I thought darn that was a good idea! I should have made that! 🙂
I would not be able to stop eating these! They look so good. Plus, I can totally relate to your issues in getting to this recipe – happens to me all the time.
You should have tried making them, I ate so many peanuts, pretzels and popcorn before I even made the balls. Then I ate like 3 balls!! 🙂
I don’t know what it was with crunchy food, I love crunchy food but it was a tough task!! I was amazed of the recipes the rest of the crew made!
Sometimes the best recipes are the ones you randomly throw together, and this is definitely a winner!
Your right! All the ones that I think ehhh, this may not work end up being my best yet! I found the ones you plan, prepare, prep spend hours making it are not the ones that are a hit! Funny how that works!
These look fantastic. I don’t use my brown rice syrup near enough. I’ll have to use regular peanuts though since I don’t really do honey. Hehe!
Ahhhhh, I forgot a true vegan doesn’t used honey!! regular salted peanuts would work great! 🙂
I’ve had a lot of popcorn balls in my day but never with pretzels! Sounds great!
OMG, try it with pretzels! It’s crazy good!!!
WOW!!!! This looks awesome! I gotta try this one! Great work Jennifer!
Thank you Sophia!! This was a tough task, but I did it and I am very happy with the outcome!
DEFINITE “dad” food around here
Yah! I think you right! 🙂
I’m loving this salty sweet combo! Sounds like the perfect treat for the afternoon munchies
Sweet and Salty is one of the best combinations of all time!!
Oy, what an ordeal! Poor you going through all the trial and error but look at what an amazing recipe you came up with. These look so delicious, crunchy and indulgent. The best part is that they’re pretty healthy. I love that I can eat this (and I’d probably gobble up at lesat half a dozen balls at once) and not feel too guilty 😉 I need to get some brown rice syrup so that I can make these.
The brown rice syrup works amazing in this recipe! I was very happy with the outcome!! As for eating half a dozen, I think I did that the first day!!
This sounds amaaaaaaazing! You have successfully combined two of my favorite foods with my third favorite food! 🙂
It’s all of my favorites combined too! They are very addicting!!
Oh how fun! I love adding pretzels to sweet things!
Oh me too! Pretzels are one of my all time favorite snacks!
You always make something that I could eat 200 of. Love these!!
I think you and I have the same kind of tastes in food!! We need to get together one day and have a feast!!
These seem like such a great thing to have around the house around the holidays or for tailgating. A perfect snack!
Thanks Courtney! They are fun to eat and is a nice healthy snack that you won’t over indulge in because they are filling!
I love love love popcorn balls!! These look so good, can’t wait to try, maybe for Halloween?!?! Thanks for sharing with #Sunday Supper!
Your welcome Cheryl! They are fun to make and are perfect for Halloween. If you want to be bad, add some chopped up candy corn to it! But don’t tell anyone I told you that! 🙂
Kudos to you on your many tries at a crunchy treat and wow did it pay off! These sound and look absolutely fantastic! Great job 🙂
You hit this out of the park, Jen, great crunchy combo!
Thank you Cindy!!
What a great idea for the crunch! Loved getting popcorn balls on Hallowe’en from the neighbours.
I have to admit I never had a popcorn ball until I made my own. I think I have missed out!!
We love dipping pretzels in peanut butter, so I bet we’d be all over these!
I love dipping pretzels in PB too! One of my favorite snacks!
Wow…this is amazing, Jennifer. How can I miss this? Great recipe!
These are really fantastic! I love that you don’t use marshmallow for the popcorn balls because I sometimes feel like it ends up making them soggy in the long run (and well with the health factor it just means I can have more than one)!
Thank you Susan. I was really happy with the brown rice syrup!
These are right up my alley! I love peanut butter and pretzels combined. Thanks for the idea of using brown rice syrup. I can rarely find a good binder when I’m making these sorts of things. 🙂
These are right up my alley! I love peanut butter and pretzels combined. Thanks for the idea of using brown rice syrup. I can rarely find a good binder when I’m making these sorts of things. 🙂
The brown syrup works great in this recipe! I agree PB and pretzels are a great combinations!!!
Hi, I just made this…sort of. No brown rice syrup, so I used honey. No peanuts, so used sliced almonds which I toasted first. Used gluten free pretzels which didn’t have a lot of salt on them, so added salt to the mixture of peanut butter, coconut oil and honey. I didn’t make balls, rather just poured everything onto a cookie sheet, then drizzled with melted dark chocolate and a sprinkle more of sea salt. Taking a bag to a brunch later as a sort of hostess gift. One thing: please. If you (and other bloggers) could please specify when you use peanut butter whether it is natural, or something like Kraft or jiffy, both of which have added sugar. Then, folks like me can determine how much sweetener to add based on how much already exists in the peanut butter. Thanks!