Toffee Crunch Popcorn

The perfect last-minute gift for that special someone this holiday season! This toffee crunch popcorn is a breeze to make and it’s quite affordable too, but it tastes soooo good. It’s got the perfect balance of sweet, salty and crunchy, with that oh so addictive English toffee flavor in a slightly healthier form. I mean, it has protein and healthy fats from the nuts, fiber from the popcorn and antioxidants from the dark chocolate. It’s practically health food, right?

Okay to be honest, this toffee popcorn really IS a treat, but it is a healthier treat! And we all deserve a little treat now and then. I’ve personally fallen head over heels in love with this popcorn … I’ve made it three times so far this season, but if you count the double batches I’ve made, that would be FIVE (or maybe six?) I seriously want to give it to EVERYONE on my list this year, and a few others, just for good measure. Because there’s nothing like sharing amazing tasting food during the holidays.

Is popcorn a healthy snack?

The American Heart Association says when popcorn is air-popped and lightly seasoned, it is an efficiently healthy snack. That’s because it is a whole grain, and high-fiber whole grains have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and other health problems. Federal dietary guidelines say half of all grains consumed should be whole grains, and popcorn packs more fiber per serving than whole-wheat bread.

“When prepared well, popcorn actually is a pretty good snack,” said Maya Vadiveloo, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island. “It’s stable. It’s inexpensive. It’s fairly tasty. For people who might be struggling to eat adequate fruits or vegetables or other whole grains, it’s a low-risk snack to start.”

Is this popcorn gluten free?

Yes! Everything in this recipe is gluten free, so you can share it with those with gluten sensitivities. If your recipients are sensitive to nuts, you can substitute sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds for the nuts.

How to wrap this edible gift?

Package it up in a pretty tin for your loved ones. Tins are awesome because they are easy to find, inexpensive (especially if you can find them at a thrift store), and they keep the popcorn fresh and crunchy. Of course, you can package the popcorn in a goodie bag with a pretty ribbon, too. That is not a bad option either, given that the recipient is probably going to go hide in their car and eat every last bit straight away.

Oh that reminds me … I should give some to my neighbors too! I might have to make another batch or two … you know, just to make sure I have enough (and some for ME to snack on too). But then, I might have been snacking on it a little TOO much this season. Because I really really really love popcorn. I’ve also been inhaling large bowls of popcorn sprayed with healthy oil and sprinkled with salt whenever I make this … it’s just so easy to make a little more and satisfy my snack craving while I”m at it!

Helpful tip: To measure the honey, dip the measuring spoon in the melted butter to coat, then fill with honey. The honey will pour easily out of the spoon.

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