If you’re on the hunt for the perfect sweet and crunchy treat that feels like a warm hug in snack form, this Praline Popcorn with Pecans Recipe is the answer. It combines the irresistible crunch of popcorn with luscious caramelized praline coating and the nutty goodness of pecans, creating a snack that’s delightfully addictive. Whether you’re serving it up at a cozy movie night or gifting it to friends, this recipe brings an amazing blend of buttery sweetness and satisfying texture that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but absolutely fundamental to creating that perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and flavor in your praline popcorn. Each one plays its role from rich buttery notes to the deep caramel essence and the crunchy pecan bursts.
- 2 (3.3-oz) bags of microwave popcorn: The base of the snack, providing light and fluffy popped kernels as your canvas.
- 3 cups pecan halves: Their buttery texture and earthy flavor add complexity and crunch.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses-rich sweetness for that classic praline taste.
- ¾ cup corn syrup: Helps the coating stick perfectly while creating a smooth, glossy finish.
- ¾ cup butter: Brings richness and helps meld the sugar and syrup into a decadent glaze.
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract: Brightens and rounds out all the flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- ¾ tsp baking soda: Reacts with acids to lighten the texture of the candy coating, making it crisp yet tender.
How to Make Praline Popcorn with Pecans Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 250ºF. This low heat is essential for slowly baking the coated popcorn, ensuring the praline glaze sets beautifully without burning.
Step 2: Pop the Popcorn
Prepare the popcorn according to the package instructions. Using microwave popcorn makes this step quick and easy while yielding a perfect fluff to hold the praline coating.
Step 3: Combine Popcorn and Pecans
In a large bowl, gently toss together the freshly popped popcorn and the pecan halves. This mix creates the textural contrast that makes every bite exciting.
Step 4: Prepare the Praline Coating
In a sizable saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to keep it smooth. Once boiling, remove it from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda, which helps create that signature light, crisp texture in your praline.
Step 5: Coat and Bake
Pour the warm praline syrup evenly over the popcorn and pecan mixture, tossing carefully to coat every piece. Spread this out onto a rimmed 15×10-inch baking pan. Bake for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes to ensure an even coating and to toast the pecans nicely.
Step 6: Cool and Break Apart
Once the baking is complete, transfer the praline popcorn onto wax or parchment paper to cool completely. As it cools, it will harden slightly—then simply break it into clusters or bite-sized pieces and enjoy!
How to Serve Praline Popcorn with Pecans Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your presentation, consider sprinkling a touch of flaky sea salt over the cooled popcorn. The saltiness contrasts beautifully with the sweet praline, creating a gourmet snack experience.
Side Dishes
This praline popcorn is a fantastic standalone treat but pairs especially well alongside a cozy cup of coffee or a chilled glass of milk. For parties, it complements cheese boards or fruit platters, adding a sweet crunch to the mix.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or festive occasions, pack your Praline Popcorn with Pecans Recipe into clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or into decorative tins. You can also add dried cranberries or drizzle melted dark chocolate for a personalized twist that wows every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your praline popcorn fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay crisp and delicious for up to a week, making it a perfect make-ahead treat for unexpected guests or a sweet snack stash.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s best to avoid it as the praline coating can become sticky upon thawing. If you must freeze it, use a tightly sealed container and thaw completely at room temperature before serving, but for optimal crunch, fresh is best.
Reheating
If your praline popcorn loses some of its crunch, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a low oven (around 250ºF) can help refresh the coating. Just be sure to allow it to cool before enjoying again.
FAQs
Can I use any type of nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds are excellent alternatives that maintain the nutty crunch and complement the praline flavor well, giving you the flexibility to customize your snack.
Is it necessary to bake the coated popcorn?
Baking helps the praline coating to set firmly and evenly, enhancing the texture and flavor. Skipping this step may result in a stickier, less crisp treat.
How long does the praline popcorn stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh and crunchy for up to a week, making it great for preparing ahead of time or enjoying over several days.
Can I make this recipe without microwave popcorn?
Yes, you can pop popcorn on the stove or with an air popper. Just be sure it’s plain and unsalted so the praline coating can shine without interference.
What causes the coating to be sticky sometimes?
Sticky coating usually means the praline syrup wasn’t boiled long enough or didn’t bake properly. Stirring during the bake helps dry it out and form that perfect crisp texture.
Final Thoughts
This Praline Popcorn with Pecans Recipe is truly a beloved treat that brings together comfort, elegance, and pure joy in every bite. Once you try it, you’ll see why this snack holds a special place on my list of favorites. Trust me, whipping up a batch is easier than you think, and sharing it is even more fun. So go ahead, give it a try—you’re just a few steps away from popcorn perfection!
Print
Praline Popcorn with Pecans Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 13 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crunchy, sweet Praline Popcorn combines buttery caramel with toasted pecans for a delightful snack that’s perfect for movie nights or parties. This recipe bakes the coated popcorn to create an irresistible, crispy praline coating.
Ingredients
Popcorn and Nuts
- 2 (3.3-oz) bags of microwave popcorn
- 3 cups pecan halves
Praline Coating
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup corn syrup
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 250ºF to prepare for baking the praline popcorn mixture.
- Pop the Popcorn. Pop the microwave popcorn according to the package directions and transfer the popped corn to a large bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels.
- Combine Popcorn and Pecans. Add 3 cups of pecan halves to the popcorn in the bowl, mixing gently to combine evenly.
- Make Praline Sauce. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves and the butter melts completely. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda until fully incorporated.
- Coat Popcorn Mixture. Pour the hot praline sauce over the popcorn and pecans, tossing gently but thoroughly to coat the mixture evenly with the sugary praline.
- Bake the Praline Popcorn. Spread the coated popcorn mixture into a rimmed 15×10-inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes to ensure even coating and baking.
- Cool and Break. Once baked, transfer the praline popcorn onto wax or parchment paper to cool completely. After cooling, break the mixture into bite-sized pieces and serve.
Notes
- Ensure to stir the popcorn mixture every 20 minutes during baking to prevent burning and to coat evenly.
- Use a rimmed baking pan to prevent the praline mixture from spilling over during baking.
- Cool completely before breaking to allow the praline coating to harden properly.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain crunchiness.
- Be cautious with the hot praline sauce to avoid burns.
