Hayride Popcorn and Peanuts

Transport your taste buds to a crisp autumn evening with this irresistible Hayride Popcorn and Peanuts recipe—a sweet and salty treat perfect for cozy gatherings or festive occasions. Featuring freshly popped popcorn coated in a buttery caramel glaze and tossed with roasted salted peanuts, this snack promises a satisfying crunch in every bite. A touch of vanilla and a sprinkle of kosher salt elevate the flavors, creating a perfectly balanced combination of smoky, sweet, and salty. Baked to golden perfection and ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing recipe is ideal for movie nights, Halloween parties, or tailgate celebrations. Plus, it keeps fresh in an airtight container for up to five days—if it lasts that long!

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup popcorn kernels
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.

Step 2

Once heated, add the popcorn kernels to the pot and cover with a lid. Shake the pot occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 3

When the popping slows down to a few seconds between pops, remove the pot from heat and pour the popcorn into a large mixing bowl. Discard any unpopped kernels.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.

Step 5

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Step 6

Stir in the brown sugar and light corn syrup, and cook the mixture until it begins to bubble, about 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will foam up slightly.

Step 8

Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn in the mixing bowl. Add the salted peanuts and gently toss everything together with a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly coated.

Step 9

Spread the coated popcorn and peanuts onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even coating and crispness.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with kosher salt while still warm.

Step 12

Allow the mixture to cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking into clusters.

Step 13

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	597.1 grams (597.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3024

Total Fat 203.30g	261%
Saturated Fat 73.00g	365%
Polyunsaturated Fat 39.10g
Cholesterol 248mg	83%
Sodium 1149mg	50%
Total Carbohydrate 283.40g	103%
Dietary Fiber 28.70g	102%
Total Sugars 192.60g
Protein 53.70g	107%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 245mg	19%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 1615mg	34%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.6%

Protein: 6.8%

Carbs: 35.7%