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Gelatin Popcorn

Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword baked popcorn, flavored popcorn, homemade popcorn snack, popcorn balls
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 18 servings
Crisp oven-baked popcorn coated in a buttery honey and fruit gelatin glaze, with a soft marshmallow ball variation. Pack it airtight for snacking or gifting.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 small package dry flavored gelatin mix (Jello)
  • 9 cups popped popcorn

Popcorn ball variation

  • 8 cups popped popcorn
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons Jello powder

Directions

Make the mix

  • Preheat the oven to 250°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place the popped popcorn in a very large heat-safe bowl.
  • In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter and honey until the butter melts.
  • Stir in the gelatin powder and sugar.
  • Microwave until the mixture comes to a rolling boil and foams up to about twice its size.
  • Pour the hot mixture over the popcorn and stir until coated all over.
  • Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
  • Let cool completely, break apart, and store in an airtight container.

Ball variation steps

  • Keep the popcorn warm in a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan in a 300°F oven.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, add the marshmallows, and stir until smooth.
  • Stir in the gelatin powder.
  • Pour over the warm popcorn and stir to coat. Once it is cool enough to handle, shape into 8 balls with buttered hands.

Notes

Baked popcorn: airtight at room temperature up to 1 week. Balls: refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours; eat within 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 35g | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 6.3g | Saturated Fat: 3.8g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 2.9mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 18 servings; dry flavored gelatin mix counted as gelatin dessert mix (dry, small box 85 g), popped popcorn counted as air-popped popcorn, popped popcorn counted as air-popped popcorn, Jello powder counted as gelatin dessert mix (dry, small box 85 g). Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.