How to Glaze Air-Popped Popcorn

Glaze makes popcorn extra special--and sweet.

Glazed popcorn is a sweet treat that almost everyone enjoys. It is easy to grab a package of glaze flavoring at your local grocery store, but most glazes must be added to oil, which is not the healthiest way to cook popcorn. Instead, air pop your popcorn and create a homemade glaze. This healthy alternative also allows you to control portions.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy saucepan
• Metal spatula
• Candy thermometer
• Large sheet pan
• Large mixing bowl
• 4 qt. air-popped corn
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Instructions

1. Create the glaze. Mix together the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil while continually stirring.

2. Monitor the temperature of the glaze with a candy thermometer. Keep the temperature around 240 degrees F, and not higher than 250 degrees F. Boil for five minutes without stirring.

3. Remove the pan from the heat carefully and stir in the vanilla and baking soda.

4. Place the air-popped popcorn in a large bowl and slowly pour the glaze over it, stirring to ensure even coverage. Spread the glazed popcorn out on a large baking sheet.

5. Bake the glazed popcorn in an oven preheated to 250 degrees F. When done, let it cool thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Stir your popcorn while it is baking to make sure it does not stick together in one giant clump. If this happens, break it apart into pieces after it cools.

References

• Glazed Popcorn

Resources

• Recipes for Flavored Glazed Popcorn