Three Ways to Make Popcorn a Smart Snack

One of the best (and most expensive!) things to do at a movie theater is the popcorn. That yummy buttery, salty taste of freshly popped corn is enough to make me wear sweatpants every I see a movie. But woe is me -- I've learned to bring a bag of trail mix with me to the theater. Or better, yet, a bag of my own homemade popcorn. Because my homemade popcorn is delicious and not smothered in factory butter...which means that I can make it a part of my eating arsenal.

opcorn can be a smart snack for a number of reasons. It's low in calories ( you can eat 3 cups of it for under 100 calories) and it is versatile. Popcorn transforms when it is dusted with curry powder or pumpkin pie spice. Seriously! It will change your world. And if you are loving popcorn, then try these three flavorings to spice up your popcorn:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn
Ingredients

• ​8-10 cups  organic popcorn (we love Bob red Mills or Arrowhead for kernels and Boomchickapop Sea Salt)
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp peanut butter (preferably Adam's Crunchy)

Directions

1. The popcorn needs to be hot; if you are using bagged popcorn, warm it up in the microwave.
2. Place the popcorn in a large bowl (we love the metal ones from Ikea!). Toss in the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cover with plastic wrap.
3. Shake the heck out of the bowl. Everything will melt together and be delicious.
4. Eat. 

**You can portion the popcorn into small bags to take with you to work or to the theaters (sorry Regal, we won't pay $7 for your popcorn anymore!)

Vanilla Popcorn
Ingredients

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 TBSP butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. 
2. Toss the popped popcorn with the vanilla, salt and melted butter.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 5-8 minutes.
4. Eat.

Pumpkin Pie Popcorn
Ingredients

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 TBSP butter
• 1 TBSP honey

Directions

1. In a small pot, melt the honey and butter together. 
2. Make the popcorn ( 1/2 cup kernels) or heat up the popcorn.
3. In a bowl, toss together the popcorn with the honey, butter, and pumpkin pie spice.
4. Serve.