I’ve got a back-to-back post for you! Generally I would wait to post this on Friday, but I’m heading to Oregon for a camping trip with my cousin (might as well be my sister) and her family.
I’ve been assigned to food detail, and I have a 4 day breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned for the 5 of us. This Spiced Trail Mix Popcorn is one of the snacks I’ve come up with – a kick of heat paired with the saltiness of nuts, and the sweetness of chocolate – perfect for noshing at the campsite, picnic, or even movie-night on the couch.
Spiced Trail Mix Popcorn
Recipe Type: Snacks
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 to 6 people
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons corn oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cup trail mix (I like the kind with nuts and chocolate)
Instructions
- Pour the corn oil into a large heavy pot with a lid. Place a couple of kernels in the oil, cover the pot, and turn the heat to medium-high. When the first kernel pops, immediately add the remaining popcorn.
- Shake the pan over the heat with the lid slightly ajar. When the popping slows to 2-3 seconds apart, turn the heat off.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the cayenne, cumin, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Stir until the butter begins to foam.
- Immediately drizzle the butter-spice mixture over the popcorn, trying to disperse as evenly as possible. Place the lid over the pot containing the popcorn and shake to distribute.
- Once the popcorn has cooled a bit, add the trail mix.* Toss to combine, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
* If you’re using a chocolate trail mix, I like to wait for the popcorn to cool to a warm temp. That way the chocolate softens a bit without totally melting. However the preference is totally up to you. If you want the chocolate melted into the popcorn, add it right away. If you want the chocolate to remain solid, wait until the popcorn has completely cooled.
Oh my goodness Kathleen, I love this! Like popcorn is one of my favorite things, and if trailmix is ever around I am guaranteed to eat it nonstop. I hope you had fun on your camping trip! I consider Oregon my home and I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world! Pinning this, can’t wait to make it!
Thank Meghan! We had a wonderful time on our camping trip! Which reminds me – I need to see if I can make reservations for a campsite this Memorial Day weekend! I’ll be bringing the trail mix popcorn again 😉
LOVE these! The flavor combo of spiciness and sweet sounds wonderful. I don’t have trail mix at home, but I’ll chop up some dark chocolate and pecan. Easy!
Thanks, Maggie! Chop away my friend – I love making my own trail mix 🙂
i just recently discovered the wonderfulness of popcorn and chocolate. yeah, i know… i am a little behind here. your recipe construct sounds fabulous 🙂
Ha! No worries, I always feel like I’m the last person to jump on the bandwagon 😉 Hope you enjoy this salty-sweet treat 🙂
Oregon is such a beautiful state! Can’t wait to hear about your camping trip and hope you post photos. I would love to know some of the meals you came up with for the trip too. I’m going on a 4 day camping trip to Vermont in 2 weeks and need good food ideas. Definitely bringing your snack mix so I can eat a big ol’ ziplock gallon bag of it sitting by the fire at night. Nothing better than spicy sweet popcorn 🙂 #roughingit
I’ve been all over, but this was actually the first time I’ve been to Oregon. I seriously can’t wait to go back! The spicy popcorn trail mix was a huge hit! The gallon zip top bag full was completely gone in a matter of minutes. I’m planning a camping food post for Friday, I hope you get a few ideas for you upcoming trip. And I’m looking forward to hearing about your camping adventure as well – VT is gorgeous!
We are SO IN SYNC! I’m going camping TOMORROW and am on food duty!! HA HA! I’m going to make this. This is TOO FUNNY!!!!!
HA! I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – you must be my sister from another mister 😉
Hope you’re having a great time camping. I know you’re going to LOVE this popcorn trail mix!
What a fabulous snack! And you’re visiting Oregon – awesome! I live in Bend…have a wonderful trip.
Have a great weekend Kathleen! This trail mix will be perfect for camping! I’ll definitely try it!
I’ve been dreaming up ideas for sweet popcorn lately … great minds think alike! I love the big chunks of chocolate . Yum yum yum!!
Have fun on your trip! I know you all will be well fed. I have a feeling this popcorn will make it past the first night..it looks awesome!!
This trail mix looks so good! I love that it’s got a little bit of everything with the spicy, salty, and sweet. Hope you have a wonderful time camping! 🙂
Have a fun camping trip, Kathleen. And this spiced trail mix popcorn looks so yummy.
Have a super fun camping trip!! Loving your spiced trail popcorn mix, it is good to get your little chocolate fix..every now and again!
Have an awesome time! Snacks are definitely needed on the road! Love these sweet and savory popcorn snack! The cajun seasoning is a bravo idea!
I’ve never seen such a beautiful bowl of popcorn before, Kathleen!
I’m really intrigued by the fact you’ve added chocolate-y trail mix and all those wonderful spices. I bet this tastes just amazing!
Have a wonderful trip!
Oh, Pinned! <3
I love popcorn ANYTHING.. I mean I do eat it for dinner at least 3 nights a week (I am bad, I know!). So obvi I am seriously digging this spiced trail mix! LOVE LOVE the cajun, cayenne, cumin mix! This sounds and looks absolutely delicious! Hope you have a great time in Oregon! Cheers, girlfriend!
This is a perfect camping snack, have a great trip.