Baseball Season Popcorn Mix (Printable)

Crunchy popcorn mixed with roasted peanuts and caramel for a sweet, salty snack.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Popcorn

01 - 10 cups freshly popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)

→ Nuts

02 - 1 cup roasted, salted peanuts

→ Caramel

03 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
05 - 1/4 cup light corn syrup
06 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 250°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Place the popped popcorn and roasted peanuts in a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
04 - Let the caramel boil for 4-5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and immediately stir in baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam.
05 - Quickly pour the hot caramel over the popcorn and peanuts. Using two spatulas or wooden spoons, toss until the mixture is well-coated.
06 - Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.
08 - Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Break into clusters before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect balance of sweet caramel and salty peanuts creates an addictive flavor combination
  • Simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry
  • Makes a generous 8 cups—enough to share with family and friends
  • Stores well for up to a week, making it ideal for meal prep or party planning
  • Easily customizable with your favorite add-ins like pretzels or chocolate candies
  • Fun activity to make with kids for game day celebrations
02 -
  • Remove all unpopped kernels before adding caramel to prevent broken teeth
  • Use a candy thermometer to monitor caramel temperature for consistent results
  • Work quickly when mixing the hot caramel—it sets fast
  • Don't skip the stirring intervals during baking; they ensure even caramelization
  • Let the mix cool completely before breaking apart for maximum crunch
  • Store in an airtight container with a silica gel packet to maintain crispness
  • Double the recipe for large gatherings—it disappears quickly
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