It’s tough to find the perfect snack that satisfies your sweet and salty cravings. You might end up eating unhealthy snacks like candy bars or potato chips instead. The solution? Popcorn Bars! These bars are easy to make and combine three favorite flavors – caramel, pretzels and nuts.
Popcorn bars
I would like to open this article by saying: Oh. My. Goodness!!! I’ve just died and went to heaven! These popcorn bars are simply to die for! They are insanely, dangerously addictive and I haven’t realized that until I was done making them and then frantically started stuffing my face!
And now I’m just going to take a deep breath and become a normal person again so I could tell you why these little treats are as amazing as they look. I’m very much in awe of how delicious this popcorn dessert is and as I see it now, these caramel popcorn bars will always have a special place on my table.
Of course these will do nothing good to your diet and I’m sorry about that! But seriously, if you keep balance in mind as I try to do all the time, you can indulge occasionally. And if you do, why not cheat with these heavenly popcorn bars?
More caramel desserts you will love:
What do I need for popcorn bars?
In short the main ingredients are: popcorn, pretzels, caramel and peanuts. All these flavors are my favorites and together create a wonderful treat that is as delicious as it sounds. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
I really love caramel and when paired with nuts my excitement is up to the roof. But I never thought popcorn and pretzels will add up to the excitement as much as they did, through their added crunchiness and just the right touch of saltiness.
There’s marshmallows in there too and although their taste is not obvious once incorporated into the caramel sauce, they do contribute greatly to the overall amazing flavor and texture.
How do you keep popcorn fresh in a popcorn bar?
That is a very good question and I’m very glad you asked it! You definitely don’t want to have stale popcorn in your caramel corn bars. To keep the popcorn fresh, just pop it right before using in the recipe and then let it sit in a bowl until you are ready to pour the caramel sauce over them. That will keep the popcorn dry and crunchy which is what you really need for these delicious treats!
What goes with a popcorn bar?
I’m pretty sure that for most of you, big bowl of ice-cream is just perfect! You can eat your popcorn bars with vanilla or caramel ice-cream. And if you want it to be even more delicious simply drizzle some extra caramel sauce over the top.
Other toppings that go well with caramel popcorn bars are melted chocolate or peanut butter, marshmallow fluff or maple syrup.
How to serve popcorn bars?
These caramel popcorn bars are good as a dessert or a snack. For me it’s the perfect treat! So I can eat them whenever and wherever I want. And because they are such delicious little treats, you can make a big batch and keep it in your freezer for whenever you need something sweet and salty. Or for a movie night with the friends or family!
How do you store these bars?
You can keep them in an airtight container or covered with plastic foil for up to one week. In the fridge they will last a bit longer, about two weeks, but whatever you do – don’t eat them all at once!
If it’s the fridge, don’t forget to take them out before you serve and slice them nice and deep so everybody gets a fair share!
Can you freeze popcorn bars?
Absolutely! You can keep them in the freezer for up to two months. And if you manage to not eat all of them until then (you probably won’t) simply slice and serve as usual, but make sure you thaw them out before because they will be very hard frozen!
Caramel popcorn bars are a delicious combination of salty pretzels and crunchy peanuts with the perfect touch of sweetness from the caramel. The texture of this popcorn candy bar is nothing short of amazing! Try it, you won’t regret it!
How do you make popcorn bars?
- Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss together popcorn, pretzels and nuts
- In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil over medium-high
- Boil until mixture is amber in color, approx. 12 minutes
- Remove pan from heat and slowly fold in cream (mixture will sputter so be careful)
- Immediately add marshmallows and stir until melted. If you want to see marshmallows in your popcorn bars, melt them just half way.
- Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pretzels and quickly stir with a rubber spatula to coat well
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Sprinkle with coarse salt if preferred
- Spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray then press evenly onto the mixture.
- Let cool or transfer to fridge for 30 minutes before cutting into bars with a sharp knife dipped in warm water. Remove the plastic wrap first.
Popcorn is a great snack, but it can get old quick. You might feel like you’re stuck in a rut eating the same thing over and over again. Try my popcorn bars! This recipe combines your favorite salty snacks – pretzels and peanuts – with sweet caramel for a delicious and satisfying treat that everyone will love.
I would love to hear your feedback! So let me know in the comments below how easy you found this recipe and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to receive new recipes to your inbox.
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Popcorn bars with caramel
Ingredients
- 12 cups plain popped popcorn
- 4 cups chopped salted pretzels
- 1 cup mixed nuts
For the caramel
- 2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss together popcorn, pretzels and nuts
To make the caramel
- In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat
- Cook until mixture is amber in color, approx. 12 minutes
- Remove saucepan from heat and slowly fold in cream (mixture will sputter so be careful)
- Immediately add marshmallows and stir until melted
To make the popcorn mixture
- Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pretzels and quickly stir with a rubber spatula to coat well
- Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Sprinkle with coarse salt if preferred
- Spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray then to press evenly into the pan
- Let cool or transfer to fridge for 30 minutes before cutting into bars using a sharp knife dipped in warm water.
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