Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix
The ultimate comfort food! This Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix combines rich caramel with crunchy popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts for a delightful treat you won’t be able to resist. Perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying during a movie night, it's a snack you'll want to make tonight!
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Oven
- Large Pot
- Saucepan
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 7 cups popped popcorn
- 1 ½ cups pretzels I used mini twists
- ¾ cup roasted and salted peanuts
- 1 cup Reese’s Pieces
- 1 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. This temperature is perfect for achieving that delightful crunch with the popcorn mix. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Avoid using foil, as it will stick to the caramel.
- In a large bowl, combine popped popcorn, roasted and salted peanuts, and pretzels. Toss them gently to mix well. The combination of these ingredients will create a flavor explosion in every bite.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once it has melted, add the brown sugar and light corn syrup. Stir constantly to combine the ingredients and keep an eye on it as it heats up.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often to prevent burning. This step is crucial, as it helps develop the caramel flavor.
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for two minutes without stirring. This allows the caramel to thicken and develop its flavor.
- After two minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully stir in the salt and vanilla. The smell at this point will be heavenly!
- Add in the baking soda and mix well until the caramel becomes light and airy. The baking soda reacts with the caramel, creating those delightful bubbles.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn blend in the bowl. Quickly stir to coat everything evenly. Make sure to cover all the popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts with the delicious caramel.
- Spread the coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for two minutes before removing it to stir. Then, return it to the oven and bake for an additional two minutes. This step helps to set the caramel and gives it that lovely crunch.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the mix to cool completely. After it has cooled, fold in the Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis. They’ll soften slightly when mixed in with the warm caramel, creating a delicious surprise in each bite.
- Break the mix into pieces and serve! Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
Notes
- Tip 1: If you want the Reese's Cups to be slightly soft, add while the caramel corn is still slightly warm (but not while it is hot, or they will melt).
- Tip 2: You can use light brown or dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar will give a more classic caramel taste.