Sugar-Free Classic Popcorn Balls
Indulge guilt-free with our Sugar-Free Classic Popcorn Balls—a nostalgic treat made with a healthy twist! Perfectly popped kernels are coated in a luscious, sugar-free maple syrup glaze infused with rich butter, aromatic vanilla extract, and a touch of sea salt for a balanced flavor that’s sweet yet subtly savory. These popcorn balls are easy to prepare, with just 15 minutes of prep and cook time, making them ideal for quick snacks, party favors, or holiday gifting. Their soft, chewy texture is a delight, and the sugar-free recipe ensures they’re suitable for a variety of dietary needs. Skip the refined sugars without sacrificing flavor and enjoy a wholesome take on this crowd-pleasing classic!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil or butter
- 1 cup sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Start by preparing your popcorn. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Add 1 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels to the pot. Cover with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to allow steam to escape, and shake occasionally until all kernels have popped. This should take around 4-5 minutes.
Once popped, transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Remove any unpopped kernels.
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar-free maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter has melted and the syrup is smooth.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring continuously, and let it simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 0.5 teaspoon of sea salt.
Pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn and gently toss until all pieces are evenly coated.
With lightly greased hands, form the coated popcorn into balls about the size of a tennis ball. Press gently to compact the popcorn without crushing it.
Place the formed balls onto a sheet of wax paper or a lightly greased baking sheet to set.
Allow the popcorn balls to cool completely before serving. Enjoy your sugar-free treat!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1282 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.3 g | 64% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.4 g | 62% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 1622 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 186.1 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.2 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.7 g | ||
| Protein | 26.5 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 20 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 670 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
