Dairy-Free Classic Popcorn Balls
Sweet, nostalgic, and completely dairy-free, these Dairy-Free Classic Popcorn Balls are a delightful spin on a timeless treat. Made with perfectly popped popcorn coated in a luscious caramel-like mixture of granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and a touch of fragrant vanilla extract, these no-dairy popcorn balls achieve the ideal balance of sweet and salty. The recipe uses coconut oil for richness, making it a perfect choice for those avoiding butter or other dairy products. Ready in just 35 minutes, these crunchy and chewy snacks are easy to shape and ideal for family movie nights, holiday treats, or festive party favors. With simple pantry ingredients and a foolproof technique, these popcorn balls are as fun to make as they are to eat.
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Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions
Step 1
Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
Step 2
Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl, ensuring it's free of unpopped kernels.
Step 3
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir while cooking over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Step 4
Insert a candy thermometer and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Continue cooking without stirring until the temperature reaches 250°F (hard ball stage).
Step 5
Once at 250°F, quickly remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the salt, vanilla extract, and coconut oil until completely blended.
Step 6
Carefully pour the hot mixture over the popcorn, using a spatula to evenly coat the popcorn. Work quickly to ensure even coverage.
Step 7
Once the mixture is cool enough to handle but still pliable, lightly oil your hands and shape the coated popcorn into balls, about the size of a tennis ball.
Step 8
Place the popcorn balls on the prepared baking sheet to cool completely and firm up.
Step 9
Once set, wrap each popcorn ball individually in plastic wrap for storage to keep them fresh.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (779.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1953.2 |
| Total Fat 36.9g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 24.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1225.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 421.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 378.1g | |
| Protein 6.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 17.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 1.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 178.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories