Pumped Up Protein Popcorn

Pump up snack time with Protein Popcorn! Adding protein powder to air-popped popcorn is a clever (and crunchy) way to boost your daily protein intake!

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com

Popcorn is a whole grain and can be a great snack option when prepared yourself in a healthy way (meaning without the fat, excess salt and additives found in most store-bought options). Whole grains like popcorn contain important nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for our health.

Here’s the honey cinnamon version I made with collagen protein powder!

I personally like the “bang for budget” popcorn offers both your food expenses (it’s a very low-cost snack) and your calorie budget (3 cups of popped plain popcorn looks like a big serving, but has under 100 calories). This recipe makes two 3-cup servings. Nutrition per 1 serving is 120 calories, 8g protein 2g fat 16g net carb (based on the protein powder, cooking spray, and spices I used — may vary slightly for your products).

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com

Turning plain air-popped or plain microwave popped popcorn into “Pumped Up Popcorn” is quick and easy.

Pick out your protein powder of choice. You can use any type of protein powder, meaning protein source (whey, casein, collagen, pea protein, other plant-based proteins, and blends. You can also experiment with unflavored or protein powder or a flavor. For each batch, you’ll use 2 tablespoons of powder – for this batch I used an honey cinnamon collagen protein powder from Great Lakes Wellness.

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com
save 10% Great Lakes Wellness collagen and products with code THEFITFORK10off

Save 10% on Great Lakes Wellness with code THEFITFORK10OFF

Extras Tip: Get the basic recipe for protein popcorn recipe (shared at end of post) and upgrade with your special touch by mixing in a pinch, dash, teaspoon, or tablespoon (depending on the ingredient) of EXTRAS. These extras could include (but are not limited to):

  • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
  • Cookie Spices like Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, even Cacao Powder
  • Savory & Spicy Spices like Chili Powder, Cumin, Italian Seasoning, Turmeric, Garlic Powder
  • Granulated Sugar Substitutes

Popcorn Making Tip: You can make this protein popcorn recipe in a counter-top air-popper, a microwave-popper, or even a brown paper bag in the microwave (yes! Add the ¼ cup kernels to a larger lunch-sized brown bag, fold down top, and microwave for 3 minutes or until popping becomes infrequent and sporadic).

Fun Fact: Popcorn has a volume expansion of over 25 times, so 1 tablespoon of kernels yields 1.5 cups of popped corn. 

Looking for a healthy snack that will sustain you? Try adding protein powder to popcorn for a tasty, low-cal, high-protein snack with lots of fiber. Get the recipe at thefitfork.com
PUMPED UP PROTEIN POPCORN
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

Make a quick and easy snack that will keep you filled up thanks to protein and fiber! Easy to customize with flavors and mix-ins of your choice!

Course: Snack
Keyword: popcorn, protein powder
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels (4 tablespoons) yield 6 cups
  • Cooking spray of preference two 3-second dispenses
  • 2 tablespoons protein powder or collagen powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional Extra Mix-Ins of Choice, see notes
Instructions
  1. Prepare no-oil-added popcorn via the method of your choice: air popper, microwave popper, or even brown paper bag (see recipes notes).
  2. After popcorn has popped, work quickly and divide into two batches while still hot.
  3. Spritz each bowl with a 3-second spritz of cooking spray of choice, tossing the bowl to coat evenly as you do so.
  4. Quickly sprinkle half the protein powder, salt and any other mix-ins on each batch. Toss well for maximum sticking. If needed, do another quick spritz of cooking spray to encourage fall-off powder to stick on.
  5. Ready to serve in the two bowls, or toss together in one big bowl for sharing-style.
Recipe Notes

Nutrition: 120 calories, 8g protein 2g fat 16g net carb per serving (makes about 2 servings, 3 cups each)

Popcorn making tip: make microwave popcorn in a brown lunch bag, simply add the ¼ cup kernels to a larger lunch-sized brown bag, fold down top, and microwave for 3 minutes or until popping becomes infrequent and sporadic

Optional Mix-In Ideas:

    • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast

    • Cookie Spices like Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, even Cacao Powder

    • Savory & Spicy Spices like Chili Powder, Cumin, Italian Seasoning, Turmeric, Garlic Powder

    • Granulated Sugar Substitutes

Sugar Free Beet Kettle Corn

 

Pardon the pun, but this recipe for Sugar Free Beet Kettle Corn just “popped” into my mind and I knew immediately the idea needed to come into fruition! Sugar Free Beet Kettle Corn

I really love me some salty-sweet popcorn, it reminds me of good times had at the state fair, football games, rodeos and kiddy carnivals! What I don’t love so much is the sugar overload, and that’s why I’ve made this “skinnier” version and added beet juice powder to boot! Read on to get all the details and full recipe — package some up as a Valentine’s Day snack for your sweetie! Continue reading

Sugar-Free Caffe Mocha POPCORN !

National Popcorn Day is coming up (January 19th) and that’s a food holiday on my food bucket list . . . my literal list of foods to eat from a bucket (haha)! But, seriously, popcorn is totally worth its salt as a snack food, it’s a healthy whole grain (a seed, actually) that is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO, gluten-free and a great source of dietary fiber. It’s inexpensive and delicious gobbled up simply fresh-popped or drizzled, coated or tossed with any number of other yummy things. And, “yummy things” is the segue into my recipe for Sugar-Free Caffe Mocha PopcornSugar-Free Caffe Mocha Popcorn makes a healthy snack with under 100 calories per serving.

Yes, Sugar-Free Caffe Mocha Popcorn! It’s like a coffee house and a movie theater hooked up and produced hundreds of perky little chocolatey offspring.  It’s just so delicious, and you don’t even have to feel guilty – only 99 sugar-free calories!

Continue reading

Healthier Maple Pumpkin Pecan Popcorn + More Fall Favs

Maple Pumpkin Pecan PopcornMaple Pecan Pumpkin Popcorn: So much goodness here, this is a delicious and easy-to-make fall snack. Forget about Cracker Jacks, make your own healthier autumn-inspired version with real maple syrup, a bit of butter and real pumpkin along withthe right spices. Also, did you know you can make your own “clean” popcorn right in the microwave with nothing more than a brown paper lunch sack – that’s how I’ve been doing it for years!  Also, do NOT use maple FLAVORED syrup for this recipes, that would be a nasty, corn-syrupy shame. I love the 100% Organic Maple Syrup from NOW Real Food – it’s a light and delicate-tasting amber syrup that makes me think of a crisp, cool breeze and rustle of leaves with every taste! Recipe for the Healthier Maple Pecan Pumpkin Popcorn at the bottom of the post!

Maple Pumpkin Pecan Popcorn features all the flavors of fall an healthier sugar alternatives!

September PopSugar Must Have Box

September PopSugar Must Have Box

Also wanted to shout out some other this I’m loving this fall season. First, yay for the POPSUGAR, they sent me the September Must Have Box and, it’s definitely a must have! This awesome lifestyle subscription box always knows how to win me over with products that I’ll obviously love (like the GFB Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites) to unexpected surprises (like the Jack & Lucy Black Felt Hat) that I never knew I needed, but now wonder how I ever lived without! And this specially curated box of goodies even makes the practical contents (like the MANI E.R. purse manicure repair kit) super hip and cool.

Jack & Lucy Hat - TheFitFork.com Jennifer Fisher

Jack & Lucy Hat – TheFitFork.com Jennifer Fisher

If you are looking for a unique gift that gives for a month or e even all year, consider giving your bestie a subscription to the POPSUGAR Must Have Box. Use code SHOP5 (which never expires) at checkout to save $5 off your FIRST Must Have Box!

Tommie Copper Compression elbow sleeve

Second, I’m loving Tommie Copper Compression, again . . . as usual!  But this time I’m focused on their compression “sleeves” made for nearly every part and parcel of our limbs! Sometimes I ask a little too much of my bod and not even a rest day can  resolve my minor aches and pains. However, I really dislike being sidelined from training – – that’s why you’ll typically see me in some sort of compression gear. If you’ve ever seen my Instagram feed, you’ll see that I’m a huge fan of compression socks. But I also wear compression sleeves for ankle, knee, wrists, elbow and quads when needed for both during exercise support and post-workout recovery. Personally, I really like the Tommie Copper brand – the targeted compression sleeves are low-profile, unobtrusive and make my muscles, tendons and joints feel good (or at least lessen the feeling that I’ve been run over by a truck)!

Tweet “Maple Pecan Pumpkin Popcorn + Fall Faves @nowfoods @tommiecopper @PopsugarMH #ad”]

Of all the fall foods, what is your favorite? Or at least, favorite fall flavor? Ever try compression gear for anywhere other than your legs or rear? Please share in the comments, XOXO — JEnnifer

 

Healthier Maple Pumpkin Pecan Popcorn + More Fall Favs
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 
Fall into fall with Maple Pumpkin Pecan Popcorn, it freatures nearly every iconic flavor of the season! Healthier than store bought caramel corn thanks to wholesome ingredients like maple syrup and stevia baking blend. Also, find out two companies that I've been loving later.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup 100% real maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup measure for measure stevia baking blend
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin purree can omit if not available (pumpkin pie spice adds a lot of flavor)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 10 cups air popped popcorn about 1/2 cup kernals
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 250 F degrees.
  2. In small saucepan over medium high, add sugar and syrup and heat for 1 minute until combined. Continue to heat and add butter, pumpkin, salt and pumpkin pie spice, stirring until butter melted and spices incorporated.
  3. Bring to boil, reduce heat and let simmer for approximately 2 minutes until slightly thickening but not turning dark brown
  4. .Add baking soda and stir. It will foam up a bit, continue to stir over the heat for 1 minute.
  5. Remove from heat and immediately pour into large bowl containing popped popcorn. Add pecans. Stir well to coat as evenly as possible.
  6. Spread out mixture on Silpat or parchment covered rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 250F degrees for approximately 45 minutes or until crunchy.
  7. Let cool for 10 minutes and transfer to serving bowl. Store leftovers in airtight container.

Sweet & Salty Four-Seed Popcorn Bars

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of JOLLY TIME Pop Corn.  The opinions and text are all mine.

Sweet & Salty Four-Seed Popcorn Bars make a nutritious snack!

Jolly Time Popcorn healthy snackPopcorn makes a super on-the-go snack swap, especially as a replacement for common convenience options like granola bars, chips, and cookies that can be higher sugar and fat. Naturally gluten-free and considered a whole grain, popcorn is high in dietary fiber and low in calories – plus for the visual eater, a serving of popped corn looks like a whole LOT of food!  I’m especially fond of JOLLY TIME Pop Corn, their Healthy Pop line gets the thumbs up from Weight Watchers and most products are 94% fat-free and have just around 100 calories per serving (give or take) – that’s about 20 calories per cup!

Seeds may be tiny, but they pack a super-sized nutritional punch!

So, y’all know I’m big on getting protein into my snack too! A bag (5 cups) of JOLLY TIME Pop Corn has about 4 grams of protein, which actually surprised me – I thought it would have zip, nada, none! I was wrong, popcorn does have protein! But, I like to pump it up with additional whole food add-ins – especially seeds! Tiny little seeds are powerhouses of nutrition – they are an excellent source of heart-healthy fats, protein and essential vitamins and minerals. For example, hulled hemp seeds are one of the most nutritionally complete sources of plant-protein – containing every essential amino acid an fatty acid the body needs for optimal health.Sweet & Salty Four Seed Popcorn Bars make a nutritious snack that is nut-free and gluten-free.

Check out my recipe for Sweet & Salty Four-Seed Pop Corn Balls made with Healthy Pop Kettle Corn hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. Instead of a caramel to hold it together like you’d find in a traditional popcorn ball, I’ve whipped up a nutritious binder made from sunflower butter and agave syrup, a low-glycemic index, natural sweetener.  This great snack or healthy dessert recipe is gluten-free, nut-free and has no added refined sugar – so enjoy and #haveaJOLLYTIME !

Trail Mix Pop Corn is also a family-approved winner at my house!

Trail Mix Popcorn

Also, please check out the Healthy Pop Challenge – get a free workout band, enter to win a FitBit Altra and grab coupons for JOLLY TIME Pop Corn. I love the idea that they have to workout while waiting for popcorn to pop – even little bursts of exercise add up. Depending on the length of your popping session and microwave settings (plan on an average of 4 minutes), you can get quite a few exercises done. Try these simple exercises in the kitchen while you wait:

Perform each exercise for 1 minute, as many times as you can safely, while you wait for  JOLLY TIME Pop Corn to cook:

jolly time exercise

  • Overhead band pulls (or pushup against wall, if no band)
  • Air Squats
  • Alternating Leg Lunges (in place)
  • Jumping Jacks

 

 

Sweet and Salty Four-Seed Popcorn BarsAre you a regular popcorn snacker, or only at the movies? Favorite popcorn mix-ins? Butter or no butter?

Please share in the comments below, XOXO, Jennifer 

 

 

Sweet & Salty Four-Seed Popcorn Bars #HPChallenge
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 package Jolly Time Healthy Pop Kettle Corn (5 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds (often called “hemp hearts”)
  • 2 tablespoons roasted, salted sunflower seeds
  • 2 tablespoons roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seed butter**** Or the nut butter of your choice, I love Power Fuel from Nuttzo.com
  • 1/4 cup agave syrup or honey
  • baking spray
Instructions
  1. Prepare popcorn according to package instructions. Pour in large mixing bowl and let cool.
  2. In small bowl, mix together hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas and chia seeds. Set aside.
  3. In small sauce pan, add sunflower seed butter and agave syrup, stir to combine. Bring to medium heat, stirring continuously. Once mixture begins to bubble, keep cooking and stirring for an additional 30 seconds.
  4. Drizzle hot sunflower-agave mixture over popcorn and quickly stir to combine as evenly as possible. Sprinkle in seed mixture into popcorn mixture in about 3 batches, stirring quickly each time to distribute.
  5. Spray 8 x 8-inch brownie pan with baking spray and fill with popcorn mixture. Using a piece of wax paper and hands or back of spoon, press down over entire top to compact firmly.
  6. Cut into 9 squares.
Recipe Notes

****Or the nut butter of your choice, I love Power Fuel from Nuttzo.com