Homemade Sugar Free Popcorn Balls Recipes

SUGAR FREE CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Let's first make the caramel.. You will need a deep pot for this!! Slowly heat up your Swerve sweetener on medium-low.. stirring so it doesn't burn. It will slowly melt and caramelize. It will also smoke a little, so dont be alarmed. Once you have a deep amber colour, time to add in the butter. When you toss in the butter, you'll notice that it will bubble up. That's normal and why we used a deep pot for it. Stir until the butter has melted. Pour in your cream., Again, the mixture will bubble up even more and then slowly go back down. All normal! Stir for an additional 2-3 minutes then take the mix off the heat. Let it cool down.. Stir occassionally to get rid any crystalization of the Swerve. Once gets near room temp, you'll notice it has gotten thicker and has the consistency of caramel sauce! Now is the time to pour the mix on top of the popcorn. Mix it thoroughly but don't worry if you still have parts that aren't caramel. Put the popcorn onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 225 for roughly 45 minutes. Mix it often, so that the caramel transfers to more of the popcorn! Take it out and let it cool and you will have nice, crunchy caramel popcorn!

SUGAR-FREE KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Put oil in large pan (or stirring style popper) with 3-4 kernels. Cover with a lid.
• Shake the pan back and forth a few times (or stir the popcorn with the popper's crank handle) to combine.
• When the first kernel pops, put the rest of the ingredients (sweetener and salt and the remainder of the popcorn) in the pan / popper.
• Shake the pan (or turn the crank handle) continuously until the popping stops.
• Put the popcorn in large (non plastic) bowl and let cool.
• In the unlikely event that there is leftover kettle corn, store in an airtight container.

LOW CARB (& SUGAR FREE!) CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Get your popcorn ready! You can either buy a bag of (salted!) buttered popcorn or pop your own. One batch of caramel is enough for 4 to 5 cups, depending on how coated you like it. Transfer to a lined baking tray and set aside.
• See video for how to whip up my keto caramel. The one difference will be that you'll be adding a touch of baking soda at the very end (for easier coating and a candy-like texture).
• Add butter to a large dutch oven over medium/low heat and simmer, stirring every so often, until fully browned (about 5 minutes). (My top tip: I like to use salted butter for a salted caramel version!) Add in the sweetener, heavy cream and salt (leave out if using salted butter), stirring until fully combined. Add in the molasses (optional), and stir briefly until just combined.
• Simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes (don't stir at all!), taste for seasoning.
• Note: if your caramel splits (too high temperature is usually the culprit!), you might still be able to save it. Remove it from the heat, allow the mixture to cool down for about 5 minutes, bring it back on the stovetop over low heat, and gently whisk in a tablespoon of water until it comes back together (should happen almost instantly).
• Mix in the baking soda into the caramel at the *very* end: it will bubble up rapidly (this is why we're using a larger dutch oven here), and immediately pour it over your prepared popcorn. Rapidly mix it for even coating with a spatula, sprinkle some flaky sea salt (optional, but highly suggested) and set aside to cool completely.

BEST EVER POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, margarine, cold water, confectioners' sugar and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, coating each kernel.
• Grease hands with vegetable shortening and quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls before it cools. Wrap with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 270° (soft-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over popcorn; stir to coat. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into balls.

TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large baking pan; keep warm in a 200° oven. , In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 235° (soft-ball stage). , Remove from the heat. Add the butter, vanilla and food coloring if desired; stir until butter is melted. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. , When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking.

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large heavy pot over low heat. Add marshmallows and brown sugar and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
• Pour popcorn and cranberries, or English toffee bits if using, into pot; toss well. With buttered hands, shape into 2 1/2-inch balls. Set on parchment lined baking sheet to dry slightly.

GRANDPA'S POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter and water. Stir and heat to hard-crack stage or 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Remove from heat, add vanilla or vinegar; mix well.
• Pour slowly over popped popcorn while stirring. Wait 5 minutes and shape into 3 inch round balls.

OLD-FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a baking pan and keep warm in a 200° oven. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. , Continue cooking without stirring until the temperature reaches 270° on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. Add vanilla; stir just enough to mix. Slowly pour over the popcorn. Cool just enough to handle. Shape with buttered hands.