A healthier snack mix that the kids will love and will have fun making! A gluten-free, vegan, easy recipe for Circus Popcorn! Loaded with allergy-free Rainbow Rocks, sprinkles. peanuts, apple, and of course, fresh popcorn, all baked in the oven! Perfect for any kid-friendly party!
With Halloween on the horizon and everything "sweet and fun", "tricks and kicks" taking center stage, fun and easy recipes are essential to start stockpiling! Snacking recipes like this always remind me of parties held at friends' houses for little celebrations like Halloween. I didn't start going to Halloween parties until high school, so maybe I'm wrong here! Regardless, fun snacks are needed for any party and at whatever age the party-goers are!
Let me give you a bit of backstory to this little mix of mine. The reason this "trail mix" is baked is because it was supposed to be popcorn granola. It's a thing, it wasn't just a stroke of random genius, but I wanted to try it for myself. It just didn't work out very well and the popcorn didn't seem to take to baking very well. Instead, I got more creative and fun to make this party-poppin' mix instead! I'm glad this was the result, anyway!
I went a little crazy with the random add-ins. Let's take a look! Freedom Foods Rainbow Rocks cereal (allergy-free and healthy fruity pebbles!), roasted peanuts, Sprinklz, vegan caramel, freeze-dried apple, some spices and of course the fresh popcorn which I made with my lovely popcorn maker!
Can you believe this is my first popcorn recipe on the blog? I love popcorn, that's why I got this snazzy air popper for Christmas last year! Have you ever tasted FRESH popcorn before? Wow! The stuff will blow your mind! It literally tastes so fresh and clean...natural. I just pop some organic popcorn kernels (or local) with nothing else. No salt, vegan butter, nothing.
However, the key to making my perfect popcorn preferences complete is to let it get a bit stale. Once I pop those kernels, I usually let them sit in a plastic bag for a few days. Of course I much some fresh and hot, but I do enjoy some stale non-flavored popcorn (call me crazy)! To me, it's just really good! This fun little gluten-free recipe for Circus Popcorn is far from plain, though! Those sweet Rainbow Rocks and yummy tummy roasted peanuts....SO GOOD! I don't mind some creative popcorn eating every now and again 😉
Circus Popcorn
Circus Popcorn
A healthier snack mix that the kids will love and will have fun making! A gluten-free, vegan, easy recipe for Circus Popcorn! Loaded with allergy-free Rainbow Rocks, sprinkles. peanuts, apple, and of course, fresh popcorn, all baked in the oven! Perfect for any kid-friendly party!
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 8 Cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 Cups of Fresh Popcorn
- 1 Cup Rainbow Rocks Cereal
- 1 Cup (2 bags) Freeze-Dried Apples (crushed)
- ½ Cup Unsalted Roasted Peanuts
- 3 TB Vegan Caramel Sauce
- 1 TB Allergy-Free Sprinklz
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Pop enough kernels for 6 fresh cups of popcorn (you'll have extra) and add it to a very large bowl.
- Add in all the ingredients to the bowl of popcorn, except the Rainbow Rocks cereal and mix it all together.
- Spread out the mixture on a parchment paper or Silpat-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, give it a stir and bake an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, add the Rainbow Rocks cereal, and give it one last mix!
- Store in sealed plastic bags and air-tight jars.
Toss this Circus Popcorn (I don't know where the name came from, but sprinkles, peanuts, and popcorn reminded me of a circus) in a huge bowl and set it on the table for some kid-friendly party snacking! I'd say this is a Halloween treat that's just a smidge better than gallons of sugar, artificial flavors, or colors 😉 You could even add in some chocolate chips too! That would be mighty delicious!
So tell me:
+ Were Halloween parties a big thing when you were in school? Not until high school.
+ Do you pop your own popcorn? By the way...so much more cost efficient!
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Deborah Davis
What a fun, festive way to have a 'snack attack'! My family will enjoy this yummy treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, so right!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
Around here we're always looking for fun treats and snacks that are good for you as well as just plain good. This one is unique, and who doesn't love the circus??? I need to get a snazzy air popper too, perhaps Santa will bring one for me!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are super affordable and worth it!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
This looks like such a wonderful snack! I just pinned it to try!! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Enjoy!
Mel
Oh yummy! Popcorn is my weakness at the moment. Yours sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it's always a weakness!
CJ @ Morsels of Life
This looks like a fun and yummy treat! I hadn't heard of a popcorn mix like this before, but I think I might be missing out. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think you might 😉
Holly
This recipe looks so good and I love that it is dye-free! Thanks for sharing. : )
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is true!
Pam
How fun and yummy! I have actually been looking for a natural Fruity Pebbles cereal, no kidding. (And I don't have little kids!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, those goodies are never "just for kids" 😉
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
I'm definitely a salty snack kind of person and this is right up my ally...yumm!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well this is a perfect mix of sweet and salty!
Angie ~ ambient wares
Great name! Sure looks like I wouldn't be able to stop eating it 😉 Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
For sure 😉
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
I love caramel and popcorn together yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just a bit of sweetness here, that's not what you taste, obviously!
The Rambler
Me and my daughter are popcorn lovers ourselves!!! Must give this recipe a try =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Best snack!
kimmythevegan
Oh how fun! Love this idea. I am such a sucker for air popped popcorn -it's totally the only way! Someone once got me an airpopper for Christmas too and I have never gone back to microwaved since. I'll be honest... I'm not a fan of the plain stuff, I like a little coconut oil and sea salt. I'll have to try this fun circus version.
ps. we have the same popcorn maker!!! =D
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You will love the circus fun!
(It's the best, right!?)
nadia
This looks delicious and sounds so fun! I love popcorn and make it almost every weekend, but I tend to keep it plain. I need to try more fun flavours like this! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You sound like me! It is fun to spruce it up though!
Miz Helen
What a fun snack!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
MeCooks
That looks absolutely amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Akaleistar
What a fun snack!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
Kids would love this! Such a great idea!
I’m Pinning and sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They will/do!
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
Wow what a great Halloween or anytime treat. Sound both tasty and healthy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes!
Nico @ yumsome
That's completely insane popcorn! I thought I was pushing the boat out by coating mine in salted caramel sauce but you definitely win the award for the craziest combo! LOL!
(No Halloween parties when I was a kid - I grew up in Britain in the '60s and '70s... fun hadn't been invented.)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bahaha! I hope you make some fun popcorn and make up for the loss!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
Love! What a fun way to mix it up with the popcorn. My kids would adore this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I bet they would!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
i love everything going on here..i love popcorn in general but its better when there are other surprise ingredients.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sure is!
Lindsay Cotter
This is a gluten free snack I would love to dig into! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Oooooo yes!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
It's awesome that this is allergy friendly, kids will surely love this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think so!
The vegan 8
This looks amazing! I love popcorn and adding all these delicious add-ins makes it even more amazing. It's the perfect snack!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! Just some sweet munching!
Lara
This looks awesome! I love the twist on it with the cereal and apples!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
I've never been a big Halloween fan BUT I can totally get on board with this wonderful recipe! Looks so festive and tasty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This recipe is for all celebrations!
Amanda
We didn't grow up with Halloween so I don't think I've ever been to a Halloween Party. I do pop my own popcorn though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wahhhh :O Where did you grow-up?
Erica D
That Freedom Foods cereal! So awesome that it's so allergy friendly!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They make some standout cereals!
Lauren
This is so fun! I could see this being served at a killer circus themed birthday party!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, that would rock!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
What a fun snack!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
Your title intrigued me Rebecca - I was dying to know what was in this! You definitely used a party of ingredients!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! A simple yet intriguing title for sure!!
Lecy | A Simpler Grace
What a creative idea! How fun!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands
Love it! You may have just taken my daughter's birthday popcorn mix to a whole new level! She has all the candies, dried fruits, pretzels, ect... She is also having a fruity pebble cake for her birthday sleepover because of the allergies with her friends and now she decided to have the cake in the morning on her actual birthday. I might have to use the leftover cereal in her popcorn!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think we found some new fun treats to test out on her 😉
Ariana
Yummm this looks so good! Popcorn has been my go-to snack lately...I'm going to use this to spruce it up next time!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This mix WILL spruce it up!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
What a fun healthy popcorn mix - I love this idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Chandice Probst
Wow, this looks delicious!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Laura
So cool! I've never hears of this before, but it sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hear what? Haha!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
So healthy and delicious! Great snack!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Harriet Emily
Love this popcorn recipe Rebecca! So many delicious, healthy flavours. Great photos too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Linda @ Veganosity
This is such a fun and healthy snack. I love air-popped popcorn, it's so much better than oil popped.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
People actually pop in oil?
Kate Ford
This is SO pretty, what a fab colourful and healthy snack. Love the idea of popcorn with citrus, not often done but sounds so lovely.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, there is no citrus here?
Mary
I love love love popcorn and this Circus Popcorn is right up my alley.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic!
Lauren Gaskill
For a second, I thought the dried apples were animal crackers!! You had me fooled! This looks so good, Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Freeze-Dried!
Farrah
I love popping my own popcorn! 😀 So much cheaper + I love that I can fix it up however I like it. :] I recognize those rainbow rocks--this is such a wonderful idea! <3!! I love popcorn as a snack and this is pretty much perfect! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This was the recipe I was telling the Freedom Foods guy about 😛 Haha! Hopefully they'll appreciate it 😉
Tianna
yummy! I love fun popcorn recipes! thank for sharing 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Raia
I so wish I could tolerate corn! This looks delicious! My kids will love it, at least. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Just used popped sorghum!
Heather Kinnaird
my kids are huge popcorn fans, we eat it almost every fay after school, so I k now they would LOVE this snack mix
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, great! This will be a fun way to sweeten it up!
Tara
How fun! My kids would go crazy over this. Especially my son. Popcorn is one of his favorite snacks. Such a great recipe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Popcorn is a snack to love!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
OMGOODNESS. Loving this- very creative indeed! I love all the 'random' things. Makes it FUN! You always come up with the coolest yummies!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! This is what happens when I just look through the cabinets and start throwing things together 😉 Best way to cook!
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
I love to pop my own popcorn! I use the microwave and a paper lunch bag. As much of a popcorn junkie as I am, I can't believe I haven't experimented more with fun recipes like this. It looks so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, the old school way 😉 But totally invest in a popper! I love when it shoots out and I just hold the bowl underneath and try to catch it all 😛
Platter Talk
Now there is a Halloween mix that everyone can love! Thanks.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I'm hoping it will be!
Elizabeth
Now that sounds a bit fantastic! I'm a huge fan of popcorn, me and I bet I'd love this! I will have to try it out on my kids.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think you'll all enjoy it!
Cricket Plunkett
I love this idea! A perfect snack!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A fun snack!!
Bintu
Love all the extras you have added, yummy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family
Well, that was a happy mistake. This looks delicious! We love using our popcorn popper, too.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Yes! One of those fun kitchen gadgets to have!
Susie @ SuzLyfe
SCREW THE CHILDREN AND GIVE ME THIS
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bahahahaha! AGREED!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
You sure are right, popping my own popcorn sure is cost efficient and I control the amount of salt on them! As for this circus popcorn - - Rebecca, I LOVE it - what a lovely way to enjoy popcorn! I must say, this is my first time hearing about popcorn granola (thanks for that Food 52 link) and am fascinated!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Thank you dear! Popcorn granola, trail mix, whatever! Anything popcorn rocks!
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
This would be perfect as a snack in my kids lunches.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great!