Sweet and salty, with a hint of smoke, our Maple and Brown Sugar Popcorn with Bacon is the perfect treat for the bacon lover in all of us. With just six ingredients, it's a simple snack you can make whether you're cozying on the couch for a movie or enjoying a night in with a group of friends.
We have a simple rule in our home; eat whatever you want, as long as you make it yourself. Not only does it help you avoid a bunch of unhealthy and needless ingredients, but helps you connect with your food, be present, and know what you're putting in your body.
One of our favourite snacks to play around with in the kitchen is popcorn. It's a quick and simple snack that can be made healthy or not-so-healthy, depending on your mood. It works as a savoury snack, sweet treat or even as a garnish on a dinner dish. The possibilities are endless. And while we love eating it simply prepared with a little butter and salt, popcorn by design, with all its nooks and crannies, is the perfect vessel for holding the sweet maple caramel and little bacon bits our recipe features.
How to Make Our Maple and Brown Sugar Popcorn with Bacon
Ingredients for Our Maple Bacon Popcorn Recipe
Bacon, popcorn kernels, light olive oil, salted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup.
Step 1 | Brown the Bacon
Lay bacon out on a frying pan and place on medium heat. Cooking for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp, turning once about halfway through cooking. Place on paper towel to cool, then finely chop and set aside.
Step 2 | Pop the Corn
Place three kernels of corn in a large, heavy-bottom French oven with olive oil. Cover and heat on medium-high. Once you hear all three kernels pop, pour in the ⅓ cup of kernels. Cover the pot, leaving the lid about half-inch ajar. Once the corn begins to pop, shake the pan back and forth every 30 seconds until the popping slows to every 2 seconds or so. Remove from heat, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Once the popping completely stops, remove the lid to let the popcorn cool completely.
Step 3 | Make the Maple Caramel
Add the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a medium saucepan. Place on medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the reserved bacon and return the caramel to a boil.
Step 4 | Dress the Popcorn and Cool
Pour the caramel over the popcorn and toss using a spatula until the popcorn is evenly coated. Transfer the popcorn onto baking sheets and allow to cool for 10 minutes, until the caramel is cool and crunchy.
Elevate the Experience
There's bacon in the recipe and there's no point in hiding that fact. Kick the bacon flavour up a few more notches by making a batch of candied bacon and chopping it up to put on top or just tuck a couple of slices into your popcorn bag.
Shop our Maple and Brown Sugar Popcorn with Bacon Recipe
Shop the look, shop the styling, shop the recipe
Below are affiliate links to products that will assist you in making our Maple Bacon Popcorn recipe. If you purchase an item through the links, Chef Sous Chef Inc. will receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you.
Our Favourite Essential Cooking Tools
A good heavy cutting board is a must with almost any recipe and we absolutely love our John Boos Maple Cutting Board for everyday use.
Le Creuset has become our go-to brand for enameled cast iron cookware. It is well worth the investment and for this recipe, we used a Skillet to brown the bacon, a Saucier Pan to make the caramel, and a French Oven for popping the corn.
Go good knife is key in the kitchen, both for efficiency and safety. Global makes great quality knives that are beautiful and won't break the bank. We use the Chef's knife for everyday use, but recommend buying a 2-piece set or 3-piece set for the best value.
A baking sheet is a perfect vessel for cooling the popcorn and our go-to this Aluminum Half Sheet set that comes with two pans and two cooking racks.
Ingredients
Generic Light Olive Oil is used for popping the corn. It won't burn easily and is also great for everyday cooking or making homemade mayo.
You can't make popcorn without popcorn kernels. Look for non-GMO popcorn kernels.
There is nothing better than authentic Canadian Maple Syrup for making the caramel, along with brown sugar.
Thank you for helping support us through these purchases. If you have made this recipe, please let us know in the comments below!
Recipe Card
Maple & Brown Sugar Popcorn with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon
- 1 tablespoon light olive oil
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- ⅓ cup salted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- sea salt for serving optional
Instructions
- Lay bacon out on a frying pan and place on medium heat. Cooking for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp, turning once about halfway through cooking. Place on paper towel to cool, then finely chop and set aside.
- Place three kernels of corn in a large, heavy-bottom French oven with olive oil. Cover and heat on medium-high. Once you hear all three kernels pop, pour in the ⅓ cup of kernels. Cover the pot, leaving the lid about half inch ajar. Once the corn begins to pop, shake the pan back and forth every 30 seconds until the popping slows to every 2 seconds or so. Remove from heat, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Once the popping completely stops, remove the lid to let the popcorn cool completely.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a medium saucepan. Place on medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir the bacon into the caramel and cook an addtional 1 minute. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and toss using a spatula until the popcorn is evenly coated. Transfer the popcorn onto baking sheets and allow to cool for 10 minutes, until the caramel is cool and crunchy.
- Serve immediately with a light sprinkling of sea salt.
Nutrition
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