Description
A sweet, salty, and utterly addictive snack where crispy popcorn is coated in deeply caramelized burnt honey, then studded with tangy blue cheese crumbles and a sprinkle of flaky salt. It shatters into irresistible shards that are impossible to stop eating.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 12 cups plain popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 ounces high-quality blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon flaky sea salt (like Maldon) for finishing
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the popped popcorn in an even layer on the sheet, picking out and discarding any unpopped kernels.
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, butter, fine sea salt, and cayenne (if using). Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, stop stirring and let the mixture cook for 4-6 minutes, until it darkens to a deep amber color and smells richly caramelized. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Immediately and carefully pour the hot burnt honey mixture evenly over the popcorn. Using two heat-proof spatulas or spoons, quickly toss and fold the popcorn until it is as evenly coated as possible. Work fast as the honey will begin to set.
- Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles evenly over the coated popcorn. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. As it cools, it will harden into a brittle sheet. Once completely cool, break into large, irregular shards. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste.