Popcorn Party Mix

Sure, you can open up a bag of store bought party mix, pour it into a bowl and serve it to your guests. Or, you can make your own customized, crunchy, savory party mix that people will devour. Just you and your TV on Sunday night for The Oscars? No problem. This bowl of deliciousness will keep you company during the show and happens to love a couture gown.

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Popcorn Party Mix

From Smitten Kitchen

3 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp popcorn kernels
1 cup peanuts
2 cups waffle pretzels
1 cup broken-up bagel chips
6 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dark brown sugar
1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp mustard powder
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

Heat oven to 250°F.  Heat olive oil over high heat in a large pot and add in your popcorn kernels, cover with a lid.  Wait for all the popcorn to pop and when the popping begins to slow down, remove pot from heat and dump your popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Add in the nuts, pretzels, chips or crackers to the popcorn.

Place butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Melt the butter and keep cooking it, stirring occasionally until it begins to turn a golden brown.  Remove from heat, and whisk in worcestershire, sugar, spices and salt.

Pour butter mixture over popcorn mix and toss well until all the ingredients are coated. Spread out the popcorn mix on a large baking sheet or two if needed. Bake for 45 minutes. Let the mix cool completed before storing.

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Buffalo Wing Popcorn

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Last year, I went all out and it was awesome. Wings, chili, cornbread, baked salami, deviled eggs – the spread was ludicrous and I retired from ever hosting a Super Bowl party again. This year, I wanted to keep things simple yet festive, so I decided to make this insanely addicting Buffalo Wing Popcorn. It’s like caramel corn with a spicy zing. And, I just couldn’t resist making my football deviled eggs again. This is a great dish to bring to a party – it’s easy enough and the caramel + buffalo wing flavor is a game-winning combination.

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Buffalo Wing Popcorn

From Bon Appetit

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

8 cups popped plain popcorn (from ½ cup kernels)

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup hot sauce

3 tbs unsalted butter or margarine, cut into pieces

1 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp baking soda

tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 300°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or tin foil. Lightly coat parchment or foil and a large bowl or large nonstick pot with nonstick spray; add popcorn to bowl or pot.

Bring sugar and ¼ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil, swirling pan occasionally, until caramel is a deep amber color, 10–12 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in hot sauce and butter (mixture will bubble). Return to a boil and cook another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt, baking soda, and cayenne. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and toss to coat. Spread out popcorn on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes. Let cool.

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