Description
These Healthy Popcorn Balls are a delightful and wholesome snack, combining the natural sweetness of honey and peanut butter with the crunch of popcorn and a rich dark chocolate drizzle. Perfect for a quick treat, these no-bake popcorn balls are easy to prepare and make for a nutritious, satisfying snack that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Binding Mixture
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey (more if necessary)
Main Ingredient
- 4 cups popped popcorn
Topping
- 3 ounces dark chocolate
Instructions
- Heat the Binding Mixture: Heat the butter, peanut butter, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat for one to two minutes until all ingredients are combined, stirring regularly to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Combine with Popcorn: Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl and pour the warm butter mixture over it. Use your hands to gently toss and ensure that every popcorn piece is evenly coated with the mixture.
- Form the Popcorn Balls: With clean hands, shape the coated popcorn into 6 evenly sized balls. Place each ball on a cookie sheet or on parchment paper to prepare for the chocolate drizzle.
- Melt and Drizzle Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate evenly over the popcorn balls for an added layer of flavor and texture.
- Chill to Set: Place the popcorn balls in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow them to firm up and the chocolate to set before serving.
Notes
- If the mixture is too sticky, add a bit more honey or peanut butter to help bind the popcorn better.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Use dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for a healthier option.
- Store leftover popcorn balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make the popcorn, use air-popped popcorn without added butter or salt for the healthiest base.
