Spicy Apple Popcorn Snack
Fall’s Bounty and Sophisticated Spice Grow up a Favorite Kid Snack
Combine the beloved fruit of fall-the apple-with a favorite snack from childhood--popcorn-and create a sophisticated and grown-up, but also nostalgic, treat.
Popcorn is easy to make, especially when it’s the microwave variety, and tasty for everyone in the family. But with the addition of a few toasted spices and crisp baked apple slices, and this ordinary snack takes on sublime dimensions. Put this sophisticated version on any class act party table to please guests and leave them asking for more. Combine with other exciting party snacks, such as Surprise Spicy Pretzels, for a delightful spread of new twists on old favorites that give guests something exciting while also making them feel right at home.
Be Adventurous
Adventurous cooks will love this recipe as they head to the fruit market and spice bazaars to create their own wild and new combinations. Try sliced pears with cinnamon sugar, and toss in a handful or two of slivered almonds. Sliced oranges and lemon sugar will give this dish Southern Florida flair. Combine raisins and toasted walnuts and take bags of this snack along for a day’s hike. Curry powder and golden raisins with take this popcorn right to an Indian feast, especially if combined with a yogurt drink.
Try new fruit and spice combinations in small batches before adding them to the entire bowl of popcorn. Put a handful of popcorn in a small bowl, melt a couple tablespoons of butter and add just a smidgen of spice to the butter before pouring over the popcorn. Toss well and taste. More spice can always be added, but is impossible to take away, so begin sparingly, especially with stronger spices like cayenne or curry. Cheese is optional for different spice combinations.
Spicy Apple Popcorn Snack
- 1 package of plain microwave popcorn*
- 3 apples (Macintosh work well)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- Shot glass full of Calvados
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp ground fennel
- 1 tsp anise seed
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 TBS kosher salt—maybe more to taste
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
*Buttered microwave popcorn varieties are not recommended. Recipe can also be made with fresh popcorn.
Directions
Make apples 1 day before:
Preheat oven to 275°
- Using a slicer or a mandoline, slice apples thin
- Make sugar syrup with 1 cup sugar and 2 cups water and the Calvados
- Place apple slices in sugar syrup and turn down heat, cook gently (do not boil) for about 8 minutes. Turn off heat and let apples cool in sugar syrup. Once cool, lay out on silpat and bake for an hour. Turn off the oven and let apples dry in the oven for 6 hours or overnight. Keep in an airtight container or plastic baggie until ready to use.
- Pop a package of microwave popcorn according to package instructions. Melt butter with cumin, coriander, fennel, anise seed, and cayenne. Combine white pepper and grated parmesan. Pour melted butter over popcorn, sprinkle with cheese and toss.
- Break apple chips on top of popcorn, toss again, and serve.
