Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn: A Whole Grain Snack!

I’ve already shared my family’s obsessive love of cinnamon. I can’t believe it took me this long to give one of our favorite crunchy snacks the ol’ cinnamon treatment! The kids were looking for something “good” to eat after school, and so we decided to give this a try. So glad we did! I am munching on the last of it right now (in a hurry, before the kids get home from school!)

I am predicting many other variations of popcorn in our future. This was easy to make, and certainly healthier than any bagged popcorn you might buy. A note about preparation: we pop our corn kernels the old-fashioned way, in a heavy saucepan with just a little oil.  You can decrease the fat content more if you air-pop the kernels instead. Made my way, there is still only around 6 grams of fat per cup – not bad considering you’re also getting a decent amount of fiber and protein, in addition to the sweetness that keeps them happy 🙂

If you happen to have any leftover (chuckle), it’ll keep for several days in an airtight container or ziploc-type bag.

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn
adapted from Taste of Home
Makes ~ 12 cups

3/4 cup popcorn kernels
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

In a large, heavy saucepan or soup pot (nonstick is best), heat oil over medium heat. Add corn kernels and cover the pan almost fully, leaving just a small opening to allow steam to escape. The kernels will begin to pop slowly at first, then pop rapidly for a minute or more. Once the popping has slowed to only one pop every few seconds, remove from heat. Pour popcorn into a large mixing bowl.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture all over the popcorn, then use a spatula to gently combine, scraping down the sides and folding the popcorn over and over until the pieces all are coated. Transfer the popcorn to a cookie sheet, and bake for 15 minutes. Cool for just a few minutes before serving.

Chomp! Enjoy 🙂