food 4 tots

Caramel popcorn

caramel popcorn

Popcorn is high on fiber, low on calories, but also packed with energy. Compared to sugar-filled candy or chocolate bars, popcorn is still a better (if not the best) choice for snack. If prepare correctly and eat in moderation, it can be considered a healthy snack for kids.

You should consider making your own popcorn rather than buying from outside. Firstly, the corn kernels are inexpensive. Secondly, it’s super easy-to-make, and not to mention the wonderful aroma that fills the air. Thirdly, it’s healthier as you can control the amount of sugar, butter and Trans fat that go into your family’s stomach. Needless to say, plain popcorn is the healthiest choice. But if you find it hard to accept the plain ones, then strike a balance by mixing half of the plain ones with whatever seasoned flavour of your preference.

Besides being an all-time favorite snack, popcorn can be a great science experiment for kids. Making popcorn is not only fun, it’s also an interesting “cooking with kids” project for parents. For smaller kids, it’s like magic to them when they watch how dried kernels explode and “transform” into popcorn. You can also let them see how the kernel pops in super slow motion from this video clip.

Although popcorn is a healthy and delicious snack, parents should take extra precautions for the health risks involved when introducing popcorn to their kids as mentioned below:

  1. Be careful with the kernels that failed to pop. Biting into a hard kernel is painful and can cause broken teeth to your little ones. So, separate them out before serving.
  2. Popcorn is NOT recommended for children under four because of the risk of choking, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Hence, kids need to sit down while eating their popcorn under close adult supervision.

caramel popcorns

My son is always curious about popcorn whenever he read about it or sees them from the television shows. After much consideration and lots of empty promises from this health-freak mommy, he finally got to taste his first ever (homemade) popcorn. He was so excited, grinning from ear-to-ear when he held his cup of popcorn for a photo shoot! Much to my “regret” for asking him to pose some eating actions, he conveniently finished off 2 cups in seconds before I could capture the right shot.    Of course, I’m no less smarter than him. I only put 20% of popcorn in the cup and filled up the rest of 80% with kitchen towel.  

In the end, I decided to swap him with his favourite soft toy to shoot for this post.  At least, it’s more “obedient” and my popcorn is “safe” throughout the whole shooting. But, I got a “scolding” from my son because I had messed up his “pet” with the popcorn.

Craving for popcorns? Make some today and enjoy them while watching your favourite movies on the couch. (Honey! Shall we fix a date for movie this weekend? I will treat you with my special homemade popcorn.)

If you are still looking for super-easy snacks to entertain your guests during this forthcoming Lunar New Year Festival, popcorn is definitely going to be a great hit. Just be prepared to make double or triple the suggested amount for this recipe.

To find out more information about popcorn, please refer to this site.

>>>>> Click on page 2 below to get the recipe and tips on how to pop the corns and making caramel popcorn……



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66 Comments

  1. peachkins says:

    me and my kiddo loves caramel popcorn!

  2. Pei-Lin says:

    Wonderful post!! Your son just cracked me up!! Hahaha!! He is so adorable!! Could tell he was super excited about home-made popcorn!

    Hey, you know what, in the U.S., popcorn with salt and butter is THE choice. Caramelized popcorn can’t even beat that! Surprised, huh!? At least, it was for me. I just told my American friends that popcorn normally means “movies/cinema” to me. And, my American friends even have popcorn for meal!! Geez …

    Btw, it’s easy to buy popcorn popper in the U.S. I don’t know about S’pore & M’sia though because I don’t miss eating popcorn. So, I won’t think about getting everything for making popcorn. Perhaps, you can try looking for one!! It really makes making popcorn a breeze!! Everything is done via microwaving!!

    • food-4tots says:

      Pei-Lin: Tks for your compliment on my son. I had tried the salty version but still prefer this caramel version. Like you, I’m surprise too. I also like to associate movies with cinema as this is how I ate my popcorn 1 decade ago. LOL! Tks for sharing the popcorn popper with me. Someone gave it to me last time but I didn’t use it because I don’t use microwave here. 😉

  3. anncoo says:

    Thank for showing us how to make popcorn 🙂 I never tried to make popcorn at home before because I always think this is too sweet. And now I know I can control the sugar level~~ will bookmark this.

  4. buzzingbee says:

    oh very nice 🙂

  5. tracieMoo says:

    I’ve never made popcorn. I might want to try them on my cny hols!

  6. LCOM says:

    Yummy! I love caramel popcorn! Still prefer this than the butter, salty popcorn.

  7. mycookinghut says:

    Popcorn is super yummy! I love your story! 🙂 And your son looks sooo cute!

  8. How cool! It has been AGES since I last had any popcorns! Caramel popcorns look just inviting!

  9. The only time I have popcorn is at the cinema. Maybe I should DIY and sneak some into the cinema =P

  10. Dora says:

    A long time favourite snack for movie lovers. 🙂

  11. tigerfish says:

    I prefer salty popcorn than sweet popcorn 😛
    Popcorn is actually a healthy snack if done right.

  12. noobcook says:

    hehe what a cute photoshoot – both your son and the bear posing with the popcorn! =)

  13. Oh my goodness you’re amazing.. Making your own popcorn? Haha I don’t think I have quite that much patience! Looks terrific though =)

  14. NKOTB says:

    Ooooo…. I love popcorn but then caramel isn’t it too sweet??

  15. Little Inbox says:

    A good homemade snack. Lovely!

  16. ck lam says:

    Great snack…misses those days when pop corn is a must buy before going into the cinema.

  17. Amy says:

    LOVE the picture with the stuffed dog and the one of your son. He is such a cutie.

  18. i love popcorn and know that it’s a lot healthier than alot of other junk food. but i think the type i like, buttery and salty is still quite calorific? So making it at home with less butter is probably alot better. Thanks for the recipe. We do love making our own homemade popcorn here 🙂

  19. hey big boys like us also love caramel popcorns! yummy delicious!

  20. Pam says:

    I could eat so much of this – it looks incredible. Great photos.

  21. allie says:

    I love lots of caramel in my popcorn! I like you use the teddy bear to hold the pop corn. Cute!

  22. homeladychef says:

    I saw Jamie Oliver making herbs popcorn in one of his series. Wanna give it a try?

  23. Alice says:

    😀 This was funny & I bet your son and his pet enjoyed the pop corns very much! I wouldn’t know it is so easy to pop the corns…. will definitely try it when I am free from “sore throat”! 🙂

    • food-4tots says:

      Alice: I think I enjoyed it more than him as he was just recovered from his sore throat. Just make some for your family now. You can still redo it any other time for your own consumption, right? 😉

  24. felicia says:

    MY FAVOURITE! yumyum.
    thanks for sharing.
    will absolutely make this soon!

  25. Sorry, I couldn’t concentrate on the popcorn because your son is JUST TOO CUTE!!!! Such a handsome boy! Pink-cheeked and happy, thanks to mommy’s wonderful cooking. Even his popcorn is good stuff. I’m jealous. And that teddy bear … what an adorable shot!

  26. Whink…beautiful caramel popcorn and beautiful smiles with satisfaction!

  27. peanutts says:

    POPcorn!!! yumm, hey i didnt know you werent supposed to give popcorn to kids under 4 my son and I love munching them while browsing around the supermarket , atleast he is sitting hehe

  28. I love popcorn, and it’s my #1 favorite snack! Your caramel popcorn sounds great, and your son looks so happy with it!

  29. My fave! I can never say no to this goodie!!

  30. Your son is so cute! 🙂 haha, I can imagine how u “wrestle” with your kid, just like how I “wrestle” with my girl 😀

  31. May I know what kind of corn kernels did u use?

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