Dairy-Free Maple Bacon Popcorn Recipe (Sweet, Salty & Savory!)

I love popcorn. It is my favorite snack. Which is why you might notice so many dairy-free popcorn recipes in our snack recipes and sweet dairy-free recipes. But I simply couldn’t resist sharing one more. After all, we’re talking about maple bacon popcorn with even more sweet, crunchy, chewy ingredients added.

Dairy-Free Maple Bacon Popcorn Recipe with Sweet, Savory, and Salty Flavors (Gluten-Free, Soy-Free with Vegan and Nut-Free options)

Dairy-Free Maple Bacon Popcorn with Sweet, Salty, and Savory Flavors

Most brands of microwave popcorn contain dairy, but I have some good news. Air-popped popcorn is cheaper, naturally dairy-free, and it tastes SO MUCH BETTER. My parents always made air-popped popcorn on the weekends when I was a kid. It was a ritual that I truly loved, and one that I’ve continued to this day. Okay, maybe I pop it on the weekdays too.

Most nights we have it with just coconut oil and salt – classic movie theater style. But lately I’ve been looking for some inspiration to mix things up. Enter this maple bacon popcorn mix. It’s still very simple to make, but has layers of flavors and textures. It’s perfect for solo movie nights or watching the big game with a full crew.

Dairy-Free Maple Bacon Popcorn Recipe with Sweet, Savory, and Salty Flavors (Gluten-Free, Soy-Free with Vegan and Nut-Free options) This this maple bacon popcorn recipe with photo was shared with us by www.popcorn.org.

Special Diet Notes: Maple Bacon Popcorn

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, optionally vegan, and optionally vegetarian.

For nut-free maple bacon popcorn, simply omit the nuts, but add 1 more cup (9 cups total) of popcorn.

Dairy-Free Maple Bacon Popcorn Mix

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

40 mins

Total time

45 mins

This easy snack has delicious layers of flavor from the sweet, savory, and salty ingredients. It also has a satisfying combination of crunchy and chewy textures.

Author: The Popcorn Board

Recipe type: Appetiser

Cuisine: American

Serves: 2 quarts

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut bacon (see Vegan Option below)
4 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
8 cups popped popcorn
⅔ cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped
⅔ cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons dairy-free buttery spread (can sub coconut oil)
¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon maple extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a jellyroll pan with foil. Place a wire rack in the pan. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the pan rack. Bake for 15 minutes until ends of bacon start to curl.
Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings. Brush the bacon with 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Return it to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until browned. Let the bacon cool, then coarsely chop it.
In a large bowl, stir together the popcorn, pecans, and cranberries.
Put the buttery spread, remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup, reserved bacon drippings, black pepper, and maple extract in a small saucepan. Place the pan over low heat, and stir until the buttery spread is melted.
Drizzle the buttery mixture over the popcorn mixture and gently stir until well coated.
Spread the popcorn mixture in a jellyroll pan.
Bake for 5 minutes. Toss in the bacon pieces and serve warm.

Notes

Vegan Option: Skip step 2, but brush vegan bacon with the 2 tablespoons maple syrup and proceed with step 3. You can substitute 2 tablespoons coconut oil for the bacon drippings.