Name: Praline Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup popcorn kernels; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick); 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped (can substitute with walnuts or almonds)

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If you love the perfect blend of sweet, crunchy, and nutty treats, you are going to fall head over heels for this **Praline Popcorn** recipe. It’s that ideal snack that marries the rich, buttery caramel-like praline sauce with the light crunch of freshly popped popcorn and toasted pecans. This treat is incredibly addictive, perfect for movie nights, parties, or whenever you want a homemade snack that feels a little fancy but comes together with simple ingredients and steps.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

Nothing complicated here—each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the irresistible texture and flavor of this praline popcorn. From the fresh popcorn kernels to the creamy praline sauce, these items come together in harmony to create a snack you’ll find impossible to put down.

Popcorn kernels: Using fresh kernels ensures light, fluffy popcorn with no pre-popped filler.
Granulated sugar: The backbone of the praline sauce—adds sweetness and caramelization.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that luscious caramel texture.
Heavy cream: Makes the praline sauce creamy and smooth, balancing the sugar’s intensity.
Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth, elevating the praline flavor.
Salt: A little salt balances the sweetness and enhances the nutty flavors.
Pecans: Roughly chopped for texture and their classic praline pairing (sub walnuts or almonds if preferred).

How to Make Praline Popcorn

Step 1: Pop Your Kernels to Perfection

Start by heating a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot with a lid. Shake it every so often to keep the kernels moving and prevent burning. When the popping slows to just a few seconds apart, your popcorn is ready. Transfer the fluffy popcorn to a large bowl, setting the stage for the sticky, sweet praline coating.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Praline Sauce

Time to make the star of the show—the praline sauce! In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Heat over medium, stirring constantly so the sugar dissolves completely. Once it’s smooth, let it boil for about 3-5 minutes until it gently turns a beautiful light golden color. This step develops that classic caramel flavor that clings perfectly to the popcorn.

Step 3: Flavor It Up

Take the saucepan off the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and salt. The vanilla brings a lovely aromatic warmth, while the salt balances out the sweetness and adds a subtle depth that keeps each bite exciting.

Step 4: Mix In the Nuts

Chop your pecans coarsely and stir them into the warm praline sauce. The nuts soak up some of the sauce and add buttery crunch that contrasts the airy popcorn beautifully. If you like, walnuts or almonds work just as well here and add their own unique twist.

Step 5: Coat the Popcorn

Pour the praline sauce over your bowl of popcorn and gently fold it using a wooden spoon. Go slow and steady to evenly coat every kernel without crushing the popcorn. This part is satisfying because you start seeing the sweet, glossy coating begin to envelope the popcorn pieces.

Step 6: Bake to Set and Crisp

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius). Spread the coated popcorn in a single layer over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through for even cooking. The heat helps the praline set into a slightly crisp shell, making your popcorn irresistible to crunch into.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy!

Once baked, remove the popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet. As it cools, it hardens into clusters that are perfect for snacking. Break apart any large clumps, serve, and savor the delightful mix of textures and flavors.

How to Serve Praline Popcorn

Garnishes

To add a touch of extra flair, sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the praline popcorn once it’s cooled to heighten the sweet and salty contrast. A light dusting of powdered cinnamon or a drizzle of melted chocolate can turn this snack into a treat worthy of any celebration.

Side Dishes

Praline popcorn pairs beautifully with simple sides like fresh fruit slices or a bowl of tangy berries that cut through the sweetness. It also works well alongside creamy dips, like a lightly whipped mascarpone or vanilla yogurt, for an elevated snack platter.

Creative Ways to Present

Elevate your Praline Popcorn presentation by serving it in individual paper cones for parties or layering it in clear jars tied with rustic twine for a charming homemade gift. You could even mix it into your favorite ice cream or yogurt for a fun, crunchy addition.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Praline Popcorn keeps best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This will preserve its crispness and buttery flavor for up to a week, making it a perfect make-ahead snack for busy days or unexpected guests.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy praline popcorn over a longer period, it freezes beautifully. Just spread it on a lined baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a sealed freezer-safe bag or container. It can last for several months without losing its freshness or texture.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked crunch, spread the popcorn on a baking sheet and warm it in a low oven (about 250°F/120°C) for 5-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make it chewy rather than crisp.

FAQs

Can I use pre-popped popcorn instead of kernels?

While you can, using fresh kernels popped at home ensures your popcorn is light and crisp, which helps the praline coating stick better for maximum flavor and texture.

What nuts work best besides pecans?

Walnuts or almonds are excellent alternatives that pair well with praline flavors. Just chop them similarly so they mix evenly with the popcorn.

Is this recipe very sweet?

The praline sauce is sweet but balanced by the salt and nuts, so the overall taste is a heavenly blend of sweet, salty, and nutty rather than overpowering.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Swap butter for vegan butter and heavy cream for coconut cream or oat cream. The texture might vary slightly, but the praline popcorn will still be delicious.

How long does praline popcorn stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container, it maintains quality for about a week. Beyond that, the coating can soften, so try to enjoy it relatively soon for the best crunch.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a snack that feels both indulgent and homemade, this **Praline Popcorn** recipe is a game changer. It’s easy, fun to make, and guaranteed to become a favorite go-to for gatherings or cozy nights in. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients can come together to create a treat that’s downright irresistible.

Praline Popcorn Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 8 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Sweet and crunchy praline popcorn coated in a rich caramelized sugar, butter, and pecan sauce, perfect for a delightful snack or dessert treat that combines the classic flavors of pralines with the fun crunch of popcorn.

Ingredients

Scale

Popcorn

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Praline Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped (can substitute with walnuts or almonds)

Instructions

Pop the popcorn: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover with a lid, and shake the pot occasionally until the popping slows down, about 3 to 5 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl.
Make the praline sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it boil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
Add flavorings: Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Be cautious as the mixture will be very hot.
Incorporate nuts: Mix the roughly chopped pecans into the praline sauce, ensuring all the nuts are fully coated with the sauce.
Combine popcorn and sauce: Pour the praline sauce over the popped popcorn. Using a wooden spoon, gently fold the popcorn so every piece is evenly coated with the praline mixture.
Bake the coated popcorn: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the praline popcorn mixture evenly across it. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even coating and baking.
Cool and serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the popcorn cool completely on the sheet. Once cooled, break it into clusters. Serve and enjoy your praline popcorn!

Notes

Use fresh popcorn kernels for the best popping results.
You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on preference or availability.
Be careful when working with the hot praline sauce to avoid burns.
Store praline popcorn in an airtight container to maintain its crispiness.
This snack can be made ahead and stored for up to a week.
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper to the praline sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Stovetop and baking
Cuisine: American