How to Make Healthy Popcorn Balls

Healthy popcorn balls are low-glycemic and have a shot of fiber and protein.

Popcorn balls are a perennial favorite snack, and although the popcorn offers a high level of dietary fiber, traditional recipes pack popcorn balls with fat and sugar. Replacing butter or marshmallows with peanut butter or tahini sesame butter adds good unsaturated fat and a dose of protein. Agave nectar can replace the usual sugar or corn syrup. While many nutritionists argue whether agave is healthier than sugar, it does have a lower glycemic index than other sweeteners.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups popped popcorn (plain)
• Mixing bowl
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or tahini
• Small saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Place popcorn into the mixing bowl.

2. Combine agave nectar and peanut butter or tahini in the saucepan. Set the heat to medium, stirring constantly with wooden spoon, until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly.

3. Pour hot nectar and peanut butter or tahini over the popcorn in the bowl and mix well.

4. Allow to cool, and then form mixture into balls with your hands.

5. Place the popcorn balls on wax paper and allow to set for 20 to 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Try adding chopped nuts, agave-sweetened chocolate chips or dried fruit to the mixture before forming into balls.

References

• Delicious Living Magazine; "Agave Popcorn Balls"; Alison Anton
• How to Fix Everything for Dummies; Gary Hedstrom, Judy Tremore; 2005