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Popcorn is a favorite snack in our household.  We have an air popper which produces healthy, hot popcorn in a matter of minutes.  The kids love watching the popcorn spill out of the popper into the bowl.  Most of the time, we just add a little melted butter and some salt.  However, there are other times that we like to have a sweet & salty popcorn snack.  These bars are a great mix between popcorn, granola bars, and trail mix.

Popcorn Snack Bars

These popcorn snack bars make a perfect snack for on the go!

You could use 1 cup of whatever dried fruit(s) your family enjoys.  We like cranberries and raisins, so that’s what I use.  If you prefer peanuts to almonds, you could make that substitution, too.

Popcorn Snack Bars

Grease two 13″x9″ pans with cooking spray and set aside.  Alternatively, if you have a deep sheet cake pan (does such a thing exist?), you could use that.

Pop the popcorn.  You should get about 14 cups of popcorn.  We have an air popper that I love, and if you eat a lot of popcorn, I highly recommend purchasing one!  Not only is air popped popcorn healthier, the kernels are easier on your budget than the microwaveable bags.  Make sure that you remove any unpopped kernels from the bowl.  Try to get those which are partially popped too, as they can hurt you (and your kids’) teeth.

Popcorn Snack Bars

In a very large bowl, combine the popcorn, oats, almonds, raisins, cranberries, and sunflower seeds.  This is a great task for little hands if you have some available!  Set the bowl aside, and get started on the “sticky”.

Popcorn Snack Bars

In a small saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, and salt.  Heat over low heat until the brown sugar dissolves, which is about 5 minutes.  This syrupy concoction is a bit on the sweet side, and I think you could decrease the sugar to 1/2 cup and still be OK.

Popcorn Snack Bars

Popcorn Snack Bars

Pour the honey/sugar mixture over the popcorn mixture and stir well.  Pour half of the coated popcorn mixture into each of the prepared dishes.  Lightly press the mixture into the pans using lightly moistened hands or a piece of waxed paper.

Popcorn Snack Bars

Popcorn Snack Bars

Popcorn Snack Bars

Chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or in the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing into bars.  The cold will help the honey/sugar solidify and not be as sticky.

Popcorn Snack Bars

Popcorn Snack Bars

Print Recipe
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 24 to 36 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Grease two 13"x9" pans with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Pop popcorn, yielding about 14 cups. In a very large bowl, combine popcorn, oats, almonds, raisins, cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, and salt. Heat over low heat until brown sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
  • Pour sugar mixture over popcorn mixture and stir well. Pour half of the coated popcorn mixture into each of the prepared dishes. Lightly press mixture into pans using lightly moistened hands or a piece of waxed paper.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or in the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing into bars with a serrated knife.

Recipe adapted from All You/My Recipes

Popcorn Snack Bars