Hi everyone! This is Angela, from Foodie Road Show, and I wanted to share this simple, somewhat-healthier version of popcorn balls that were inspired by Eating Well magazine. They use agave nectar instead of corn syrup for the gooey part, which makes them lower glycemic, and the peanut butter adds great flavor and protein. I wouldn’t call them health food, just healthier food.
The recipe starts with popped, cooled popcorn, and I pop mine the in a big pot in some “light” olive oil (that is light as in flavor, not in calories). It’s a little hard to measure popcorn in cups, and mine were slightly overfilled as I measured—essentially I filled up a 9 by 13 pan with popcorn. While your popcorn is cooling, cook up the easy drizzle.
The peanut butter mixture will be volcanically hot when you pour it over the popcorn, so start the mixing process with a spatula until it cools down enough to use your hands. I spray my hands with a little cooking spray to keep it from gluing all over my hands.
When the popcorn is well coated with the goo, use your hands to firmly press out a dozen small popcorn balls. Let them rest on waxed paper until fully cool, then you can eat them right away or wrap in plastic wrap to store.
Here is the recipe:
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls
10 cups of popped, cooled, lightly-salted popcorn
1/2 cup chocolate peanut butter (or Nutella)
1/3 cup agave nectar
1.) Pour the popcorn into a baking pan that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan, cook the chocolate peanut butter and agave over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble up. Cook for about 20-30 seconds more to cook out most of the excess moisture.
2.) Pour the coating mixture over the popcorn and use a spatula to coat the popcorn as evenly as possible. Tightly press the popcorn into 12 rounds, and place them on waxed paper to cool.
If you don’t have access to agave you can use regular corn syrup and you will still have a good result. I used Justin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter for these, but Nutella would be quite delicious.
Thanks to Allie for letting me stop by and share a recipe!
-Angela FRS
Thank you Angela for sharing this recipe! I’m obsessed with popcorn in any way, shape for form so I will definitely be trying this recipe sometime soon. It sounds like the perfect fall snack!
Tags: chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, guest post, peanut butter
