This fruity popcorn is naturally flavored with freeze-dried fruit powder and lightly sweetened to taste — no artificial colours or flavours and naturally gluten-free.
It’s perfect for parties and makes a delicious snack for both kids and grown-ups.
I admit I’m that person who happily hands out sugary treats to other people’s kids. I love sweets, kids love sweets, and I like seeing them smile. But before you give me the disapproving parent stare, remember — this popcorn gets its colour and most of its sweetness from freeze-dried fruit powder.
Yes, there’s a small amount of icing sugar in the recipe because it tastes great, but the freeze-dried fruit powder provides natural flavour and colour, so there are no artificial additives and it’s naturally gluten-free.
Freeze-dried fruit powder is easy to find online, from cake-decorating stores, and increasingly in supermarkets. If you only find whole freeze-dried fruit, simply crush it into a powder in a food processor or by placing it in a plastic bag and pounding it with a rolling pin.
In the photos I used strawberry powder, but there are many flavours to try — raspberry, mango, pineapple, passionfruit and more. Pale powders like passionfruit or pineapple can be subtle; if you need a stronger colour you could add a pinch of powdered food colouring, though it’s generally unnecessary.
You can adjust the icing sugar to taste depending on how tart or sweet your fruit powder is. Some powders are tangier and may need a little extra sugar. If you want to experiment with powdered sugar alternatives, feel free — I haven’t tested them but I’d love to hear how it goes.
Making the Fruity Popcorn
This recipe is quick and fun, and a great one to get kids involved with.
Start by popping your popcorn. Use whichever method you prefer; I like the stovetop method because it’s reliable. Once popped, spread the popcorn on a rimmed baking tray to cool thoroughly — the fruit powder will clump if the popcorn is even slightly warm or damp.
While the popcorn cools, sift the icing sugar and fruit powder together into a large resealable bag, a bowl with a tight-fitting lid, or a container with a lid, and mix until combined.
Then add the cooled popcorn, seal the bag or container (leave a little air in the bag if using one) and shake to coat the popcorn evenly. Taste and add more fruit powder if you want stronger flavour or colour.
Fruity popcorn is best made close to serving time because it will soften if stored too long. If you do prepare it ahead, keep it in an airtight container to preserve some of the crunch.
This popcorn makes a fun treat for kids’ parties. If you’re not trying to present it as a healthier option, you can get creative: use yellow or orange powders and add chocolate chunks for a construction or dinosaur theme, sprinkle edible glitter over pink popcorn for a fairy or princess party, or spread the popcorn on a tray and drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkles.
Easy Fruity Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons unflavoured oil (I use rice bran oil)
- 1/3 cup popcorn kernels (approx 110g)
- 2 Tablespoons icing sugar
- 1 Tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Pop your popcorn using your preferred method. (Stovetop method: heat oil with a few kernels over medium-high in a deep pan. When they pop, add the remaining kernels, cover, shake to spread kernels evenly, then heat until popping slows.)
- When popping finishes, tip the popcorn onto a rimmed baking sheet to cool completely so it stays crisp.
- While the popcorn cools, sift the icing sugar and fruit powder into a large resealable bag or container and mix to combine.
- Add the cooled popcorn to the bag or container, leave some air in the bag if using one, then seal and shake to coat the popcorn evenly.
- Taste and add more fruit powder if you want stronger flavour or colour. Serve soon for best texture; if making ahead, store in an airtight container.
Notes
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Calories: 59kcal
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Carbohydrates: 1g
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Fat: 6g
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Sugar: 1g
Nutritional Disclaimer: Any nutritional information provided is an estimate and intended as a guide only.
~Natalie
x
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