Peanut Butter Puffcorn is like Caramel Popcorn with the delicious addition of peanut butter!
When I was growing up, we used to call puffcorn, baby popcorn, because while we were eating regular popcorn, the “babies” would get puffcorn. With no kernels or hulls, it dissolves in their mouths and it is safer for little kids. We would break the puffcorn into little pieces for them to eat. But us older kids always thought the puffcorn looked good, so we were always asking my mom if we could have some baby popcorn.
I still like eating puffcorn out of the bag, but my favorite way to eat it is coated with caramel! Several years ago when we had out-of-town relatives staying with us, I made some peanut butter caramel popcorn. I had forgotten all about it until one day my sister-in-law told me that she still remembers how good it was. She said she had the recipe from me and was going to make it. I wanted to try making peanut butter popcorn again too, but decided to use puffcorn instead of popcorn
To make the Peanut Butter Puffcorn, start by pouring the puffcorn into a large, greased roasting pan. Put butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and light corn syrup in a large saucepan (mixture will bubble up so it has to be large). Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add baking soda and the mixture will foam up. Pour mixture over the puffcorn in the roasting pan and stir to coat. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven, pour onto waxed paper and break into pieces.
My husband brought a large bowl of this puffcorn to work and everyone loved it. One of the guys, who grabbed a handful each time he passed, said it was like crack because he couldn’t stop eating it.
I’m wondering if I should drizzle the Peanut Butter Puffcorn with some chocolate…what do you think?
Ingredients
- 22 cups puffcorn I used two 3 1/2 oz bags
- ¾ cup butter
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250˚F. Pour puffcorn into a large, greased roasting pan.
- Put butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and light corn syrup in a large saucepan (mixture will bubble up so it has to be big).
- Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add baking soda and mixture will foam up.
- Pour mixture over puffcorn and stir to coat.
- Bake at 250˚F for 45 mintues, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven, pour onto waxed paper and break into pieces.
Barbara says
Herr’s makes a butter flavor puff corn as well. This recipe sounds delish! I will def be trying it!
Maria says
i am in Northern California and cannot find plain puff corn anywhere . I made a version called crack which is the caramel one but was given the bag of puff corn can you recommend a brand
Lindy says
I get Clancy’s brand at Aldi! Smaller kernels, great flavor, way cheaper than Old Dutch brand! They’re my fave!
Cynthia Bartels says
Trader Joes sells it
Julie NAKAGAWA says
Cheetos brandakes a butter puff corn. That’s what I use to make this recipe
Jenni says
What is puff corn and where do you buy it? This recipes looks delicious.
Tonia says
It is like a popcorn alternative. I guess it is hard to explain. They sell it everywhere here in Minnesota from the grocery stores to the gas stations to the drug stores. Here is one brand: http://www.olddutchfoods.com/products#/puffcorn Best of luck!
Ginger says
O.M.G. I made this at a friends house last night and it was AMAZING! It was as good going in to the oven as it was coming out. I have another batch in the oven as I type! 🙂
Jacey says
Oh. My. Gosh. I looooooooooooooooooove puffcorn, but I never thought about like, DOING anything with it. After this I’m gonna make chocolate puffcorn and caramel puffcorn and….Ooooh, the possibilities are endless. Thank you for this, you clever genius, you!
Tonia says
Chocolate and caramel would be awesome! Thanks Jacey!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
My kids would go CRAZY for this, Tonia!! Yummy!!
Laura says
wow!! Ace recipe, one question though, Can the corn syrup be left out/substituted???
Tonia says
This is the only way I’ve made it so I’m not sure. Sorry!
Crystal says
You could use honey or agave.
ColleenB. says
Oh, Yum. My family would love this. Make a gift basket; Bag it up and give as gifts as well
Nice thing about the Puffcorn there’s no kernels to deal with.
Did you use the plain Puff corn in your recipe or a flavored kind
Tonia says
I used the original or “butter flavor”. Is that what you mean by plain?
ColleenB. says
that’s what I needed to know.
Thank you
Babs says
Sounds delicious but what is puff corn and where can you find it?
Tonia says
Hi Babs,
They sell puffcorn everywhere in Minnesota from Target & Walmart to the grocery store and even at the gas stations. Here are a couple of brands pages that you can check out: http://www.olddutchfoods.com/products#/puffcorn and http://www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/chesters-butter-puffcorn.html
~Tonia
Rhonda says
My husband would love this.
Tonia says
Missed you last weekend! I hope the party went well!