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Crispy Buffalo Ranch Popcorn Mix

Buffalo Ranch Popcorn Mix - featured image
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A quick and easy homemade snack that combines spicy buffalo sauce, tangy ranch seasoning, and crunchy mix-ins for a flavorful popcorn treat perfect for movie nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (100 grams) or 10 cups pre-popped popcorn
  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (60 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (30 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 grams), melted
  • 1 cup mini pretzels (50 grams)
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, lightly salted (70 grams)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese crackers (40 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (2 grams)
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (1 gram)
  • Pinch of salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pop the popcorn: Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup (100 grams) of popcorn kernels, cover with a lid, and shake the pot occasionally to prevent burning. When popping slows to a few seconds between pops (about 3-4 minutes), remove from heat. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels. If using pre-popped popcorn, measure out 10 cups and place in bowl.
  2. Melt the butter: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of unsalted butter (approximately 20-30 seconds). Stir in 1/4 cup (60 ml) of buffalo sauce until combined.
  3. Season the mix: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of ranch seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt over the popcorn. Toss gently with a wooden spoon or spatula to distribute evenly.
  4. Add crunchy mix-ins: Add 1 cup (50 grams) mini pretzels, 1/2 cup (70 grams) roasted peanuts, and 1 cup (40 grams) cheddar cheese crackers to the bowl. Stir gently to combine without breaking the popcorn.
  5. Coat with buffalo butter sauce: Drizzle the melted buffalo butter mixture evenly over the popcorn mix. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece without sogginess. If the mix feels too wet, let it sit for 5 minutes to allow some crisping.
  6. Optional crisping step: For extra crunch, spread the popcorn mix on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway through. This helps flavors meld and dries out moisture.
  7. Cool and serve: Let the popcorn mix cool slightly before serving to enjoy maximum crispiness and flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container once fully cooled.

Notes

If dairy is a concern, swap butter for olive oil or vegan butter. Use gluten-free pretzels or extra nuts for gluten-free version. For less heat, reduce buffalo sauce or add honey/maple syrup to balance spiciness. Avoid overmixing to keep popcorn intact. To refresh leftovers, warm in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo popcorn, ranch popcorn mix, spicy snack, movie night snack, homemade popcorn mix, crunchy popcorn, buffalo ranch snack

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/crispy-buffalo-ranch-popcorn-mix-recipe-easy-homemade-snack-for-movie-night/