Skinny 5 Ingredient Almond Joy Popcorn {GF + Vegan}
What constitutes something as a snack versus a dessert? Often times they are interchangeable. And obviously most of us associate dessert with something sweet. Yet a snack can be sweet or savory, can’t it? Or better yet, it can be both. Which this Skinny 5 Ingredient Almond Joy Popcorn certainly is.
We have been a popcorn family for as long as I can remember. Growing up we used to make it on the stovetop until we upgraded to the countertop electric popcorn machine. Do you remember these things? They have a hot plate on the bottom, a metal arm that moved the kernels around, and a domed plastic lid.
I recall sitting right next to the machine and watching in wonder as each kernel became popped corn, anxiously anticipating the salty, crunchy, snack I was about to devour. We usually had popcorn on family movie nights, but sometimes as a snack before bed. It wasn’t necessarily reserved for special occasions, though we didn’t eat it daily either.
There is something about popcorn that is still so attractive. Its simplicity, sure, but that flavor, and connection to the childhood memory, that really draws me in. Plus, it is the perfect blank canvas.
In today’s instant gratification world, we can get popcorn in a convenient transportable bag. Much like many other packaged foods though, there are a lot of unhealthy options out there. But thankfully “healthier” popcorn has also entered the market. Have you ever stopped to look at the options in your grocery aisle lately? Talk about a popcorn overload.
Many of the packaged bags are loaded with sugar, preservatives, and other junk. Instead of heading down this path, it is incredibly easy to create your own personalized specialty corn at home. Especially when you can pop your own, or turn to a simple no fuss brand like SkinnyPop (you can check out some of their popcorn here).
If I am going to purchase pre-packaged popcorn, it absolutely must be as clean as possible. Also, allergy-free to avoid any flare-ups, and with only a few ingredients I actually recognize. Skinny Pop has become my family’s favorite snack option. So much so, you can always find a bag in my parent’s pantry. Even my mom, who I consider the ultimate popcorn connoisseur, adores it.
All that being said, we prefer to create our own specialty popcorn at home. Nowadays I don’t indulge in popcorn as often as I did when I was young. Instead, I consider it more of a treat. Which is why I love to trash it up with all sorts of toppings when I do treat myself.
We have created a lot of variations over the years, but we most often come back to a chocolate and nut butter mixture. The sweet and salty combo gets us every time.
This particular Almond Joy Popcorn has all the best elements of the candy bar, but without the sugar, preservatives, and questionable ingredients. And with the addition of an airy crunch. It is also free of any gluten, soy, dairy, or added sugars (as long as you use allergy-friendly chocolate).
So go ahead friends, trash up your popcorn without guilt. We encourage it.
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Skinny 5 Ingredient Almond Joy Popcorn {Gluten-free, Vegan, No-bake}
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 - 4 cups popped plain corn or one 4.4 ounce bag of original Skinny Pop
- 1/3 cup allergy-friendly vegan dark chocolate chopped or chips
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons raw unsalted almond butter
- 1/3 cup raw unsalted almonds chopped or crushed
- 1/3 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Spread popcorn out on a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate and coconut oil until melted. Stir to combine and until the mixture is smooth and creamy. It should easily drip off a spoon.
- In a separate small microwave-safe bowl, heat almond butter until warm and runny. If your butter is thicker and doesn't have any natural oils, you may need to stir in a little coconut oil.
- While both mixtures are warm, drizzle each over the top of the popcorn, covering the pieces as evenly as you can.
- Sprinkle crushed almonds and coconut over the top, again while the toppings are warm to help them stick. Season with a dash of sea salt to taste.
- Transfer the pan to the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set the toppings. Remove from the refrigerator, transfer to a serving bowl, and enjoy.
