Strawberry popcorn is sweet and a little salty with a rich strawberry flavor. It’s a great summer treat, or any time of the year you’re craving strawberries!
Strawberries are in season right now and there’s nothing better than a fresh, juicy, ripe, warm-from-the-sun strawberry.
I wanted to find a way to get that fresh strawberry taste onto popcorn without using artificial colors and flavors. So of course I had to use freeze-dried strawberries!
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What Is a Freeze-Dried Strawberry?
A freeze-dried strawberry is one in which the water in the strawberry is removed after it is frozen and placed under a vacuum. This process, called lyophilization, removes much more moisture than dehydrating, and also retains most of the fruit’s original flavor, shape, nutrients and sweetness.
What Do Freeze-Dried Strawberries Taste Like?
Freeze-dried strawberries taste like super ripe, sweet strawberries, but with a light, airy and crispy texture.
Are Freeze Dried Strawberries Healthy?
Freeze-dried strawberries can be just as good for you as fresh strawberries. They are picked and freeze-dried at the peak of their ripeness, holding in most of their nutrients, vitamins and minerals. And, unlike dried fruits, freeze-dried fruit isn’t made with added sugar.
How Long Do Freeze-Dried Strawberries Last?
Freeze-dried strawberries can last 25-30 years (yes, you read that correctly!) if stored properly.
Store freeze-dried strawberries in either the original packaging or a sealed, air-tight container and keep in a cool, dry place.
What Can You Do With Freeze-Dried Strawberries?
There are so many things you can do with freeze-dried strawberries! Add them to oatmeal, cereal, smoothies, granola, trail mix or milkshakes. You can also use them on salads, as a topping for ice cream, dip them in chocolate, and put them in baked goods.
Where to Buy Freeze-Dried Strawberries?
You can buy freeze-dried strawberries at the grocery store, big box retailers, or even online.
INGREDIENTS
- Popcorn: You can use air-popped, unflavored microwave popcorn, or stovetop popcorn (see here for how to make perfect stovetop popcorn).
- Butter – I used unsalted. I you’re using salted butter, omit or decrease amount of salt used in this recipe.
- Freeze-dried strawberries – The ones I used have no added sugar. The only ingredient listed is strawberries.
- White sugar
- Salt: Salt, in small amounts, enhances the taste and flavor of sweetness.
MAKE STRAWBERRY SUGAR
Step 1: Add freeze-dried strawberries, sugar and salt to a blender or food processor.
Step 2: Pulse until most of the strawberries have turned into powder
PREPARE THE POPCORN
Step 3: Make 8 cups of popcorn. I prefer stovetop popcorn (see my recipe for perfect stovetop popcorn here), but you can use air-popped or unseasoned microwave popcorn. Use 1/4 cup popcorn kernels to make 8 cups of popcorn.
Step 4: Make sure to remove all un-popped kernels.
Step 5: Place popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.
ADD THE BUTTER
Step 6: Melt butter in microwave.
Step 7: Drizzle butter over popcorn. Toss to coat.
ADD STRAWBERRY SUGAR TO POPCORN
Step 8: Using a spoon, sprinkle strawberry sugar mixture over popcorn.
Step 9: Toss to coat.
Other Toppings
- Drizzle with white or dark chocolate.
- Sprinkle on some fresh ground black pepper.
- Pour some reduce balsamic vinegar on top.
How Long Does Strawberry Popcorn Last?
Strawberry popcorn doesn’t last long, not only because it tastes so good that you’ll probably eat it all in one sitting! It also will get soggy if it’s not eaten soon after making because of the melted butter.
I would suggest making just enough to eat at a time. If you do have any left over, you can probably store it for a day, two would be pushing it. To crisp it up, put it in a 250°F oven for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
How to Store Strawberry Popcorn
Strawberry popcorn is best when eaten in one sitting. If you do plan on storing some, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
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Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn (made from 1/4 cup popcorn kernels)
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 2 Tbsp butter, unsalted
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare popcorn, remove unpopped kernels and put in bowl.
- Add freeze-dried strawberries, sugar and salt to food processor or high-speed blender.
- Pulse until most of the strawberries have turned to powder. Set aside.
- Melt butter in microwave.
- Drizzle butter over popcorn and toss to coat.
- Spoon strawberry sugar mixture over buttered popcorn. Toss to coat.
Notes
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the facts listed is not and cannot be guaranteed.
