Popcorns make a great snack, especially when you are hungry and you don’t have anything handy to eat. Popcorns themselves are a healthy snack and we can make them healthier by making it ourselves rather than getting the store bought jars. Popcorns available in the shops contain preservatives, sugar and artificial flavourings, by adding your natural healthy ingredients; you can make a tasty and healthy bowl of popcorn. Here are some popcorn recipes with a healthy twist:
GARLIC POPCORN
Things you need: To make this healthy popcorn, you need 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast, cayenne powder depending on your preference, 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ tablespoon garlic powder, pinch of sea salt and ¼ cup corn kernels.
Method: Add some coconut oil in a shallow pan and once it is hot, put corn kernels in it. You may test it first using 2-3 kernels just to see if it pops. Cover the pan with a lid and shake it in between until all the kernels pop. Mix the yeast, cayenne powder, onion powder, garlic powder and sea salt in a bowl thoroughly. Once your popcorn is ready, toss it in the bowl containing spices and give it a good mix. Your cheesy vegan popcorn is ready!
CITRUSY KALE POPCORN
Things you need: To make this healthy popcorn, you need ½ bunch of kale, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, sea salt as per taste, 10 cups popped popcorns and juice of 1 lemon.
Method: Tear kale leaves and put it in olive oil in a bowl. Also add some sea salt and give it a good mix. Let olive oil coat the kale leaves. Place it in on a baking sheet and bake until crispy. Let it cool down and toss it in a blender along with lemon zest. Grind it to a fine powder and put it in the popcorn bowl. Add lemon juice on it and toss the popcorns thoroughly so as to coat everything properly. Your citrusy kale popcorn is ready!
CINNAMON HONEY POPCORN
Things you need: 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon honey, 1-2 tablespoon olive oil, sea salt as per taste, pinch of paprika and ¼ cup popcorn kernels.
Method: In a bowl, add honey, cinnamon and sea salt. Give it a good mix and keep it aside. Add some coconut oil in a shallow pan and once it is hot, put corn kernels in it. You may test it first using 2-3 kernels just to see if it pops. Cover the pan with a lid and shake it in between until all the kernels pop. Once the popcorns are done, put it in a bowl and drizzle honey mixture over it. Toss everything properly so that everything is well coated. Your cinnamon-honey popcorn is ready.
HEALTHY CHOCOLATE POPCORN
Things you need: ¼ cup corn kernels, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, sea salt as per taste and cooking spray or little olive oil enough to coat the pan and popcorn.
Method: In a bowl, mix together cocoa powder, coconut sugar and salt as per taste. Keep it aside. Add some olive oil in a shallow pan or use a cooking spray and once it is hot, put corn kernels in it. You may test it first using 2-3 kernels just to see if it pops. Cover the pan with a lid and shake it in between until all the kernels pop. Once the popcorns are made, put it in a bowl and add cocoa powder mixture on it and give it a really good mix making sure the powder coats every popcorn. Your healthy chocolate popcorn is ready!
PEANUT BUTTER ALMOND POPCORN
Things you need: To make this healthy popcorn, you need 3-4 tablespoons peanut butter, 2-3 tablespoons almond powder, salt only if required and 3-4 bowls of popped popcorns.
Method: In a bowl, add popcorns and keep it aside. In another bowl, melt the peanut butter only to soften it and make it drizzle-able. Add almond powder to it and salt if you require. Drizzle this buttery mixture on the popcorn and mix it well. Your peanut butter almond popcorn is ready!
POPCORN TRAIL MIX
Things you need: To make this healthy popcorn, you need ¼ cup chopped almonds, ¼ cup dried cherries or apricots, ¼ cup chopped walnuts, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder and 5 bowls popcorn.
Method: In a bowl, add popcorns and keep it aside. In another bowl, mix together almonds, dried cherries or apricots and walnuts. Now, drizzle coconut oil on top of the popcorn and stir it well. Add cinnamon powder and stir it again. Toss in the dry ingredients and your popcorn trail mix is ready!
OTHER TOPPINGS:
- Coconut oil & Himalayan salt – Will add a smooth nutty taste. Melt coconut oil then drizzle over popcorn, adding salt to taste.
- Olive oil & Rosemary – Heat olive oil and dried rosemary sprigs in a pan, then toss over fresh popped corn. Add a little sea salt and enjoy!
- Sea Salt & Lime – Squeeze fresh lime juice over popcorn and toss with sea salt. So simple and adds no extra calories!