I’m seriously becoming more time poor as each year passes. My kids are busy with both before and after school activities pretty much every day of the week. So the amount of time I have to spend in the kitchen is way less than when they were little and we were home a lot more. So it’s recipes like these Popcorn Caramel Chews that take literally 5 minutes to make, which are a saviour when life gets crazy.
The caramel base is the easiest caramel you’ll ever make (no heating required). The best part is they hold up much better than most no-bake treats when out of the fridge.
These are also a great treat for kids resistant to whole foods. You can serve them as is, but I’d encourage you to take the opportunity to add in some extra nourishment (suggestions to tailor the recipe to your needs and taste below). My kids think this is the best thing I’ve ever made, so I can’t wait to hear how your kids like them.
These are also super popular at parties… I reckon they’d give Honey Joys a run for their money.
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Health benefits
Coconut butter is a great source of healthy fats, while the popcorn adds fibre and lightness to the treat. The optional chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids, and goji berries are rich in antioxidants. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds add protein and crunch, and the flaked almonds bring additional healthy fats and vitamins.
Ingredients
To make these caramel corn chews, you’ll need coconut butter, rice malt syrup (or your preferred sweetener), vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt. For the popcorn, you can use plain or salted varieties of popped popcorn. Optional extra ingredients include chia seeds, goji berries, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, and flaked almonds. If you want a fun and festive touch, top them with freeze-dried raspberry fruit sprinkles.
How to make these caramel popcorn caramel chews
To make the caramel sauce, start by softening the coconut butter by standing the jar in hot water until it becomes easy to mix. Then, combine it with your choice of sweetener and vanilla in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add the popcorn and any optional extras, folding them through the caramel mixture. If the caramel is too thick, warm the bowl in hot water for a few minutes to soften it. Once mixed, divide the mixture between mini patty cases, adding extra toppings if desired. Freeze for 30 minutes or so to set.
Serving suggestions and how to store
These caramel chews are perfect for an on-the-go snack, packed in lunchboxes with an ice-brick to keep them cool. You can also serve them at parties or gatherings, with freeze-dried raspberry sprinkles for a festive touch. Store the chews in an airtight container in the freezer. They can be eaten directly from the freezer, or thawed slightly for a softer texture.
Vary this popcorn caramel chews to suit your needs
If you prefer a slice rather than individual chews, simply double the recipe and press the mixture into a lined baking tray. For a corn-free version, use flaked almonds in place of popcorn. If you’re looking for a nut-free option, you can use other seeds, or stick with the base recipe. For a fructose-friendly version, choose rice malt syrup as your sweetener. To make it vegan, use rice malt or maple syrup instead of honey.
For more delicious, healthy and easy to make wholefood sweet treats, click HERE.
Ingredients
- ½ cup/s coconut butter
- 170 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup (½ cup)
- ½ tsp vanilla -powder, extract or essence
- Pinch sea salt (optional)
- 3 cup/s popcorn - plain or salted (or pop your own, approx.⅛ cup uncooked)
Your choice of extra nourishment (all optional)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 30 g goji berries (¼ cup)
- 30 g sunflower seeds (¼ cup) or pumpkin or sesame seeds (raw, toasted or dehydrated)
- 30 g flaked almonds (¼ cup) or slivered or chopped nuts (raw, toasted or dehydrated)
- Top with freeze dried raspberry fruit sprinkles for a party
* the nuts and seeds you can add in whole or grind them.
Method
- Start by softening the coconut butter by standing the jar in hot water.
- Once it's soft enough to be mixed with a spoon easily, add it to a bowl with your choice of sweetener and the vanilla.
- Mix with a metal spoon until combined and creamy.
- Add the popcorn (and any extras) and fold it thorough the caramel. If it's cold and the caramel is too thick to work through the popcorn, stand the mixing bowl in hot water for a few minutes.
- Divide between 18 mini patty cases. You can top with extras if you like also.
- Put in the freezer for 30 minutes or so to set.
Store
- Airtight in the freezer. They can be eaten from frozen or packed into a lunchbox with an ice-brick. The caramel will soften a little but it holds up a lot better than coconut oil based raw treats.
Variations
Make a slice
To make a slice, double this recipe and press the mixture into a lined baking tray. You'll need to really push down the mix so it's firmly packed. Pop in the freezer to set and then cut into squares.Corn-free
Make them with flaked almonds instead.Nut-free
Choose one of the nut-free options above or use the base recipe.Fructose friendly
Choose rice malt syrup as your sweetener.Vegan
Choose rice malt or maple syrup as your sweetener. *Coconut butter is NOT the same as coconut oil or cacao butter and it's NOT the cream off the canned coconut milk/cream. Though it is sometimes also called 'coconut cream' or 'creamed coconut'. Many health food stores and some supermarkets stock it also.large bowl inbox new recipes pour
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Samantha Mihail says
Looks great! I would certainly enjoy them, but I am coconut free for my BF baby who seems to be allergic! 🙁 Anyhoo, I plan on making them for the other kiddos this weekend!
I also make my own coconut butter (for homemade chocolate, when I could eat it). One bag of desiccated coconut, about 2 minutes in the thermomix on speed 6+ (stop when runny), and viola, coconut butter! Makes about 2 jars worth.
Georgia Harding says
Fabulous Samantha. I too have made the butter before but couldn’t remember exactly how and didn’t get around to testing it. So thanks so much for adding this in. I’ll test it next batch and add it to the post – much more economical too. G x
Melissa says
These are delicious! I needed a quick snack to make for some little guests, so easy to add extra goodness and feel good knowing exactly what is not in them! Thank you for an awesome recipe
Georgia Harding says
Oh yay – glad you enjoyed them Melissa and that they did the trick. Appreciate the 5?s too -Georgia x
Jodie says
I just made these for my kiddos. WOW!! I used mostly brown rice syrup and a little bit of maple syrup, and it is so delicious. Thank you. This is definitely one for the keep folder.
Georgia Harding says
So glad you loved them Jodie. Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe too. G x