Satisfy that sugar craving with this healthy low calorie caramel popcorn. Made with air-popped whole grains and a simple glaze of honey and brown sugar, this homemade treat skips the high-fructose corn syrup found in boxed varieties. At just 100 calories per serving, it is the perfect guilt-free snack for your next movie night or mid-afternoon energy slump. You will never want to buy boxed caramel corn again!
Looking for more delicious ways to satisfy a craving? Explore our full collection of delicious and easy healthy snack recipes designed to fuel your body without the sugar crash.
This recipe lightens up a classic treat by using air-popped popcorn, which provides significant volume and fiber to help you feel satisfied. By making the caramel sauce from scratch with simple ingredients like honey and brown sugar, you avoid the heavy preservatives and processed corn syrups typical of store-bought versions.
Traditional caramel popcorn is often calorie-dense due to heavy butter and sugar usage. However, this specific recipe is designed to be low-calorie, coming in at just 100 calories per serving by using air-popped corn and a controlled amount of glaze.
The key is to bake it low and slow after coating. The oven time dries out the moisture from the honey and butter, ensuring the popcorn stays crispy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain that crunch.
Yes. You can swap the butter for a vegan butter alternative or coconut oil, and replace the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Keep in mind this may slightly alter the flavor profile.
Air-popped popcorn is often considered a good snack for weight loss because it is high in fiber and volume, meaning you can eat a satisfying portion for relatively few calories.
Absolutely. If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer it without, you can omit the peanuts or pecans entirely. The calorie count will be slightly lower without them.
Keep your calorie count in check while treating your sweet tooth with these tasty options. From nutrient-packed smoothies to light, low-sodium desserts, these low-calorie treats are perfect for snacking.
Craving something baked? Discover our favorite heart-healthy cookies and bars that swap saturated fats for smarter ingredients without sacrificing that classic homemade taste.
Recipe yields 16 servings
Preheat oven to 300°. Lightly coat a baking pan with sides with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine popcorn, nuts and raisins. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, butter, salt and cinnamon and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until brown sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Pour honey mixture over popcorn mixture, tossing to coat evenly. Transfer coated popcorn to prepared baking pan.
Bake popcorn for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramel colored. Let cool until the syrup has almost hardened, about 2 minutes. Coat a large piece of wax paper with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer popcorn to wax paper and let cool completely. (If parchment paper was used in baking pan, remove parchment paper and popcorn from pan and allow popcorn to cool completely on parchment paper.)
Make Ahead Tip: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week.
This popcorn is the star of any movie night or party spread. To build a balanced snack table, pair it with:
For Nuts: The recipe calls for peanuts or pecans, but walnuts or almonds work great too. For a nut-free version, simply omit them or swap in pumpkin seeds for crunch.
For Honey: Maple syrup can be used as a 1:1 substitute for honey if you prefer that flavor or want to avoid honey.
For Butter: Coconut oil is a viable substitute for the butter if you are looking for a dairy-free option, though it will add a slight coconut flavor.