Homemade Natural Cracker Jacks

Indulge in the nostalgic sweetness of Homemade Natural Cracker Jacks, a better-for-you version of the beloved caramel popcorn treat. This recipe combines airy popped popcorn and crunchy roasted peanuts with a luscious, all-natural caramel sauce made from honey, brown sugar, and butter for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. With just 10 minutes of prep and a low-and-slow bake for ultimate crispiness, this snack is ideal for movie nights, gatherings, or gifting. Free from artificial ingredients and brimming with rich, buttery flavor, these caramel-coated clusters are a delightful throwback to childhood with a wholesome twist. Serve them fresh or store them in an airtight container for a week of irresistible snacking! Keywords: homemade cracker jacks, natural caramel popcorn, healthy snack recipes, easy caramel popcorn.

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 10 cups Popped popcorn
• 1 cup Roasted, unsalted peanuts
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup Honey
• 0.75 cup Brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon Sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Baking soda

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the popped popcorn and roasted peanuts. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the honey, brown sugar, and sea salt.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Allow it to boil undisturbed for 2 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble slightly.

Step 6

Quickly pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn and peanut mixture. Use a spatula to gently toss until the popcorn and peanuts are evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out in a single layer.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even coating and crispiness.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow the mixture to cool completely on the baking sheet. The caramel will harden as it cools.

Step 10

Once fully cooled, break into clusters and store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(520.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2353.4

Total Fat 134.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 124mg	0%
Sodium 946.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 291.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 208.6g
Protein 46.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 217.5mg	0%
Iron 6.8mg	0%
Potassium 1499.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.1%

Protein: 7.3%

Carbs: 45.6%