Description
A sweet and chocolatey popcorn with a subtle chili warmth, coated in a crisp candy shell for the perfect sweet and spicy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup popcorn kernels (air popped)
Chocolate Chili Candy Coating:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
- 3 ½ tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ –1 tsp chili powder (to taste) – I used ¾ tsp for a bit of a warm hummmm
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn using an air popper and place in a large bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. (You can use other popping methods if preferred.) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Transfer the popped popcorn to the prepared baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup until fully combined.
- Once melted and smooth, stir in the cocoa powder, chili powder, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam slightly.
- Immediately drizzle the coating evenly over the popcorn.
- Gently toss and turn the popcorn on the baking sheet to coat as evenly as possible.
- Let cool for about 15 minutes, or until the coating has set and hardened.
- Break into clusters and serve.
Notes
Air popping keeps it light, but stovetop or microwave popcorn can be used—just avoid heavily buttered or salted versions.
Work quickly when coating the popcorn, as the mixture thickens fast as it cools.
Baking soda helps create a crisp, slightly airy coating rather than a dense or sticky one.
The chili flavor will develop a bit more as the popcorn sits, so it’s best not to overdo it at first. Even a small amount goes a long way—around ¼ teaspoon is quite mild, but the warmth becomes more noticeable as it sets.
You can double the candy coating if you prefer a more heavily coated, extra decadent popcorn.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Popped + Candy Coated
- Cuisine: American