Guest Post
Looking for quick for the kids? Fruit and veggie trays are great but sometimes kids aren’t always thrilled about a tray of cauliflower florets. And we all hate to admit it, but we know those ranches and veggie dips are usually LOADED with calories. Never fear, there are some simple ways to conjure up delicious flavorful snacks for your family and guests when you’re short on time. If you’re looking for fun and healthy snack recipes that get the kids involved, check out these quick and easy treats.
For those of you that enjoy savory treats with just a touch of sweet, here is a recipe for you. It only takes 10 minutes to make and at only 126 calories a serving, it’s perfect for snacking, whether you’re at home or on the go.
Quick Curried Popcorn
Ingredients:
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1 bag (2.9 oz each) gourmet popcorn, unpopped
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1/2 cup chopped dried pineapple
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1/2 cup wasabi peas
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1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
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1/2 teaspoon curry powder
Directions:
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Prepare popcorn according to package directions and remove all the unpopped kernels.
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Transfer popped kernels to large resealable food storage bag. Add the dried pineapple, wasabi peas, peanuts and curry powder to bag. Seal and shake to combine. Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container.
Note: If you think it may be too spicy for your little ones, try this recipe without wasabi peas.
The second recipe is for kids (and adults) with a sweet tooth. The white chocolate and marshmallows gives the bars a melt in your mouth texture, while the dried cranberries add a little tanginess. These bars are also great for entertaining.
White Chocolate Popcorn Chews
Ingredients
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No-Stick Cooking Spray
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1 bag low fat microwave popcorn
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1-1/4 cups of dried cranberries
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1/2 cup white morsels
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1/2 cup salted almonds, chopped
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1- 1/3 cups miniature marshmallows (one 10.5 ounce package)
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1/4 cup butter
Directions:
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Spray 13×9-inch baking pan and large bowl with cooking spray, you can use butter but cooking spray is faster and less messy.
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Prepare the popcorn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels and then combine popped corn, cranberries, morsels and almonds in bowl.
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Place marshmallows and butter in medium sized glass bowl. Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes or until smooth when stirred. (Watch the mixture carefully so it doesn’t burn!)
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Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss until coated evenly. Place in pan. Spray hands with cooking spray; press mixture evenly into pan.
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Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, before cutting into small bars.
Author Bio: Brittany writes about healthy snacks and family nutrition on behalf of Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn. For these and more popcorn recipes and craft ideas, visit www.orville.com.
Tiffany @ The Bizy Mommy says
White Chocolate Popcorn Chews? Um, hello deliciousness! I am SO making those for No Child Hungry bake sale next weekend!
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy says
oh boy! these sound delicious
Sheri says
They sound so good!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
White chocolate popcorn sounds amazing!
Theresa says
These all sound amazing.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
Sounds great. Caramel and kettle corn are a couple of my faves as well.
courtney says
Yum we love popcorn!!
Leilani says
Those popcorn chews sound yummy!
Mellisa says
Love popcorn especially with toppings.
Lisa says
This looks so good!
Angela says
I am so intrigued by the curried popcorn!
Jennifer @TheRebelChick says
Oh boy, those white chocolate popcorn chews sound heavenly!
Sheilacakes says
I love popcorn. I have different ways to flavor it, but I will try these.
Stefani says
I want to try the popcorn chews. They sound good!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
Oh yummy! I miss popcorn!
Lolo says
I would love to try the white chocolate popcorn!
Vanessa: the queen of swag ! says
I love recipes for our popcorn. We have many movie nights we can try these on.
Toni says
That curried popcorn sounds so good.
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
We stick to the basic fare around here, but the white chocolate one does sound interesting.
HilLesha @To the Motherhood says
The Curried sounds good, but a little spicy. 🙂
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
What neato ideas.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
The white chocolate sounds good!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
The White Chocolate Popcorn Chews sounds super delicious.
Kathleen says
Never would have thought of curried popcorn, but it sounds worth trying!
April Golightly says
This looks yummy.
Tammy says
I absolutely LOVE popcorn. I like to add Taco Seasoning for a savory blend, and I made a chocolate covered cherry sweet one once, that was so good. I’m going to try the White Chocolate recipe.
Brittany says
So glad you all enjoyed the recipe! They’re both so easy to make, the kids can really pitch in.
Maryann says
the curried popcorn sounds great, who would think to add dried pineapple!
LyndaS says
I love wasabi!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I’ve not thought about curry in popcorn — that sounds REALLY good!
Jennifer says
I like plain, old popcorn but that white chocolate treat is looking pretty good right about now!
Donna says
I eat popcorn just about every. single. night. It’s air-popped. 🙂 I’ll have to try these!
nicole @nicky_olea says
My eldest son absolutely adores popped corn. He’ll eat it all day long if I let him. I air pop it then add stuff but his fave is the classic, salt and butter. I think I’ll try the curried version you’ve shared here.
YUM!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
Pineapple?? Wow! I thought pouring parmesan cheese and olive oil over mine was unique 🙂
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
I am not too experimental when it comes to popcorn but these two flavors sound right up my alley.
Tricia Nightowlmama says
sounsd like some really nice Treats
Marcie W. says
These sound fantastic!
Sandy VanHoey says
white chocolate…oh yummm I love popcorn just about any way but this sounds wonderful
Peggy Greco says
I enjoy popcorn and appreciate these recipes you posted.
Elena says
Thank you for the recipes! My family loves popcorn
Kate F. says
The white chocolate popcorn chews sound good. Thanks for the recipes!
Darlene Jones-Nelson says
Did you pop your own popcorn or did you use microwave? These both look great! I have the kids eat popcorn all of the time. I pop my own in Olive oil.
Ronald O. says
I love popcorn, and I’m going to have to try out the white chocolate popcorn recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Rosie says
both these recipes are so outstanding. Different, but in a way not too wierd! I would luv to make these when were having movie night with company!!!!
Jesselyn A/Jesstinger says
My 90 year old Mom – who is also the healthiest person I know at any age (!) has ALWAYS been a healthy eater – she was making her own yogurt before most before had even heard of yogurt – and those who had thought it was “yukky.”
The one indulgence she has always allowed herself (and US) is POPCORN! When I was a we would shake the kernels in a big covered pan on the stovetop or over the flames in the fireplace (fun but tedious and probably caused CTS (!) – not to mention a lot of burnt popcorn as well as burned hands!
Then came along all kind of clunky electric contraptions that were called popcorn makers. Fortunately those ended up in the back of some seldom used cabinets to when they were mercifully replaced with the advent of microwaves and microwave popcorn – which still reigns the favorite to this day.
Because of Mom – we all grew with popcorn as our mainstay for snacking. And we all still love it plain – or with just a little butter. We sometimes SEASON it with herbs and spices – or for fancy company – some Truffle Oil!!!
Nevertheless – I am open to expanding my repetoire – and I’m definitely going to try the Quick Curried Popcorn. I may vary the recipe with different dried fruits and nuts. My Honey/Hubby makes his own “High Energy” Trail Mix – which is kind of expensive to make and a little too rich – tossing it together with popcorn would REALLY stretch it – save a lot of money, fat and calories! Thanks!
Michele P says
since I love popcorn, I am always looking for more ways to ahem, enhance my popcorn eating experience so this will be fun to try.
Tammy S says
Popcorn is my go to snack. I almost always have a bowl of it on the counter. It is much better then chips. I love these recipes. I can’t wait to try the White Chocolate Popcorn Chews. Yum!
christina moore says
Popcorn is my favorite snack, I will have to try this
RANDY FULGHAM says
I LOVE POPCORN–THANKS FOR SHARING-I WILL HAVE TO TRY THIS
sheila ressel says
Popcorn is my favorite snack. I’m looking forward to trying these recipes when I’m in the mood for something different.
Seth says
The curried popcorn sounds really good. My wife likes popcorn as a snack and this could be a nice kick.
kathy j says
The quick qurried popcorn sounds really good. I will have to try this with my granddaughter. I pinned it to pinterest so I can reference it.
Jesselyn A/Jesstinger says
I think I got this from my Mom (who’s 91 and still going strong!) that if you must snack and your cravings simply will NOT be satisfied with celery and carrots sticks – yes – even dipped in Ranch Dressing! – that Popcorn is it: the healthy, go-to snack…
I’m not sure where she got this idea from – since popcorn – like potatoes (and of course, salads!) are only as healthy as what you PUT ON THEM!.
Still, like mother – like daughter – and popcorn is pretty much the only ‘junky snacky” food I buy – but it DOES get boring and while I like to think of myself as a very creative cook – somehow I just never really thought to do anything with popcorn except to – well – pop it!.
So thanks for the recipes – the link to Orvilles – and frankly – for planting the idea in my sometimes lame brain that – yes I can be creative with popcorn! I’ll let you know if I come up with something truly wonderful!
DENISE SMITH says
we love popcorn and make it all the time thanks for the recipr
Linda says
Always looking for great new recipes. The White Chocolate Popcorn Chews looks like a winner. I’ll have to try this one.
Shannon says
This sounds really good. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.