Peanut Butter Popcorn a wonderful and delicious treat, perfect for peanut butter lovers! A tasty, sweet & salty homemade popcorn recipe that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
This easy party dessert is great for family gatherings, game day or any event that draws a crowd! Making this peanut butter popcorn recipe is so simple, with just a few ingredients and some easy prep work, you will be on your way to enjoying this incredible treat!
What is Peanut Butter Covered Popcorn?
Peanut Butter Popcorn is a favorite treat in our house! We like Caramel Popcorn, we love Better Than Caramel Popcorn and I often make my family Chocolate Popcorn, but this time, I wanted something a little different. This easy popcorn recipe fit the bill! I love the sweet and salty flavors and it tastes even better if you add some salted nuts and chocolate to the recipe. It’s a quick and easy recipe to make and everyone devours it.
I did a Facebook live where I made this recipe- check it out below!
I like to make my popcorn on the stove- you can see our Stovetop Popcorn instructions here. It does take about 10 minutes though, so if you’re pressed for time, by all means, use a bag of microwave popcorn instead.
People always ask me if my sweet popcorn recipes are sticky or crunchy when they’re done. Once you pour the peanut butter mixture on the popcorn and begin stirring it, it’s sticky. But as it cools and sets, it’s not crunchy like a firm caramel popcorn, but it’s no longer sticky. I hope that makes sense! It’s perfect in my opinion!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HOMEMADE POPCORN
- Basic ingredients. This incredibly delicious popcorn recipe calls for very simple ingredients. It will not break the bank for a quick run to the store, if you need to make one at all.
- Easy to make. Made with only a few ingredients, this dessert is so easy to assemble. With minimal effort and no bake time, you will be enjoying a yummy treat quickly!
- So. Much. Flavor. Seriously, for such a simple recipe it sure does pack a ton of flavor. The combination of flavors in the peanut butter sauce makes for a decadent dessert that is always a hit with family and friends.
Peanut Butter Popcorn Ingredients
Popcorn: You will need 1 bag of microwave popcorn (or ¼ cup popcorn kernels, popped) for the base of this dessert recipe.
Corn syrup: Use ½ cup of corn syrup to create a sweet and thick mixture for the popcorn coating.
Peanut butter: Adding in ¼ cup of peanut butter will give this treat even more amazing flavor!
Vanilla extract: To enhance all the wonderful flavors, use 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Candy (optional): Using ¼-½ cup of chocolate candy, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, etc….will give the popcorn more great taste and make it even more special.
Peanuts (optional): If you love a great crunch in your popcorn, consider adding in ¼ cup of salted peanuts.
Salt: If your butter is not salted, sprinkle a ¼ tsp of salt on top once it has been popped.
Easy step by step on how to make Peanut Butter Popcorn
Popcorn
Get started by popping the popcorn and transferring it to a large bowl. You can accomplish this by using microwave popcorn for the fastest and easiest method. But if you have time and want an extra delicious way to make popcorn, check out these instructions for cooking popcorn on the stove, see our printable recipe here.
Coating
Next, in a small saucepan, combine the corn syrup and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat, melt the ingredients and whisk gently until smooth. The mixture will begin to bubble up slightly, allow it to gently boil for about 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat. Now, add in salt and vanilla extract.
Assemble
Proceed to pour this mixture over the popcorn and gently stir to coat all the popcorn well. If you are adding peanuts, fold them into the popcorn at this time.
Continue to transfer the popcorn to a sheet of wax paper to cool fully. Sprinkle with chocolate candy, if you’d like, some mini Reese’s Pieces would taste amazing in this treat.
Serve once the popcorn has cooled and enjoy!
Peanut Butter Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 bag of microwave popcorn {or 1/4 cup popcorn kernels popped
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼- ½ cups chocolate candy Reese's Pieces, M&M's, etc.
- ¼ cup salted peanuts optional
- ¼ tsp salt optional
Instructions
- Popcorn: Get started by popping the popcorn and transferring it to a large bowl. You can accomplish this by using microwave popcorn for the fastest and easiest method. But if you have time and want an extra delicious way to make popcorn, check out these instructions for cooking popcorn on the stove, see our printable recipe here.
- Coating: Next, in a small saucepan, combine the corn syrup and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat, melt the ingredients, and whisk gently until smooth. The mixture will begin to bubble up slightly, allow it to gently boil for about 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat. Now, add in salt and vanilla extract.
- Assemble: Proceed to pour this mixture over the popcorn and gently stir to coat all the popcorn well. If you are adding peanuts, fold them into the popcorn at this time.
- Continue to transfer the popcorn toa sheet of wax paper to cool fully. Sprinkle with chocolate candy, if you'd like, some mini Reese's Pieces would taste amazing in this treat. Serve once the popcorn has cooled and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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HOW DO YOU STORE PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN?
Unlike many other recipes where the homemade versions don’t last nearly as long as the store bought counterparts, this popcorn will last about as long as one purchased from the store. Keep your cooled (and no longer sticky) popcorn inside of an airtight container or large resealable plastic bag. You can keep it at room temperature for up to 3 months this way, but I recommend eating it much sooner than that.
HOW DO YOU REFRESH THIS POPCORN?
You can sometimes bring popcorn back from the stale state it is in by refreshing it in the oven. Place an even layer of popcorn on a parchment lined baking sheet and place it in the oven at 250 degrees F for about 5 minutes until it has warmed through. This should help to re-crisp it back to its original delicious state.
CAN I FREEZE PEANUT BUTTER COATED POPCORN?
Something not many people know is that you can freeze coated popcorn. Just make sure to keep it in its airtight container and it should be able to hold well for a few months.
Love this recipe? Check out more peanut butter recipes here:
- Peanut Butter Pretzels
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
- Peanut Butter Fudge Cups
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
- The BEST Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Clusters
- Tiger Butter Candy
- Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies
Love popcorn? Here are some other popcorn recipes to try!
- Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn Cake
- Better than Caramel Popcorn
- Pretty in Pink Popcorn
- Chocolate Popcorn
- Peppermint Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn
- Game Day Popcorn Mix
- Halloween Popcorn Mix
- Snickers Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Homemade Stovetop Popcorn
- Easy Microwave Caramel Popcorn
Peanut Butter Popcorn an incredibly delicious treat that is great for the peanut butter lovers in your life! A delicious, salty & sweet homemade popcorn recipe that is ready in just about 20 minutes.
bex says
What else can be used instead of corn syrup I live in new Zealand and have not seen it in any of our stores?
Jessica says
Bex- you can replace the corn syrup with 1/2 cup of sugar + 2 TBSP water. 🙂
Patti says
Is the popcorn sticky when it is finished?
Patti says
Ah, sorry- I just found the answer!
pam says
If you like peanut butter. this is excellent. Added pretzels.
Jessica says
Great idea Pam!