Homemade Chewy Popcorn Bars

Understandably, most people associate popcorn with the movies. Whether it’s buying a bag at the movie theater or popping some up for family movie night, popcorn typically only comes out when the movies do. But popcorn should not just be saved for sitting in front of a screen—popcorn is super easy to cook with and can be incorporated into dozens of healthy snacks and desserts. Popcorn recipes also tend to be high in fiber and antioxidants, so you don’t even have to feel guilty when you chow down. That’s why these Chewy Popcorn Bars are the perfect healthy, on-the-go snack you can eat at any time—movie or not! With their simple ingredients and great taste, these good-for-you bars are sure to become a household staple.

Chewy Popcorn Bars

• 8 cups popped Orville Redenbacher’s Original Popping Corn
• 2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins or dried sweetened cranberries
• 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup honey

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Pop corn according to directions on package (it should yield about 8 cups). Remove all unpopped kernels.
2. Spray a 13×9-inch backing pan with cooking spray. Pour popped corn into pan; top with oats, cranberries or raisins, and peanuts.
3. Combine brown sugar and honey in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until mixture comes to a full boil and sugar is dissolved. Pour syrup over popcorn mixture and carefully toss using two large spoons until mixture is evenly coated with syrup.
4. Bake 20 minutes, stirring once midway through baking. Remove from oven; lightly press popcorn evenly in pan. Cool on rack for about 2 hours or until set. Cut into 24 bars. Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container.

Tip

To experiment with different flavors, try substituting different varieties of dried fruits and nuts for raisins, cranberries and peanuts.

– GUEST POST