Cran-Apple White Chocolate Popcorn Recipe

By
Elizabeth Barbone
Elizabeth Barbone: Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Elizabeth Barbone
Elizabeth Barbone develops delicious and creative recipes for the food allergic and gluten-free communities through her site Gluten-Free Baking. Author of three cookbooks: Easy Gluten-Free Baking (2009), How to Cook Gluten-Free (2012), and The World's Easiest Paleo Baking (2016).
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Updated April 02, 2025
Cran apple white chocolate popcorn, served in a red and white bowl,

Serious Eats / Elizabeth Barbone

It happens every September. I want a little taste of fall but I'm not ready for serious fall baking. Happily I am always in the mood to pop popcorn. (And even happier: Popcorn is naturally gluten-free.) One day I decided to toss popcorn with white chocolate, dried fruit, and some spices. Success! I had a little taste of fall and I didn't have to turn on the oven.

There are only two ingredient notes for this recipe. I use air-popped popcorn because its plain flavor really allows the white chocolate and spices to shine. And I found peanut-free dried apple slices. If you are peanut-free, you know how challenging it can be to find safe dried fruit.

September 2010

Recipe Details

Cran-Apple White Chocolate Popcorn Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Cook 10 mins
Chilling Time 60 mins
Total 75 mins
Serves 8 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 12 to 16 ounces white chocolate chips

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

  • 10 cups air-popped popcorn

  • 2/3 cup dried apple slices

  • 2/3 cup dried cranberries

Directions

  1. Melt chocolate in large bowl set over pot of simmering water, stirring frequently until smooth. Add cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice and whisk to combine. Add popcorn and toss using two wooden spoons until well coated, about 30 seconds. Add apples and cranberries and stir to combine.

  2. Transfer mixture to to a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet, using back of spoon to spread evenly over entire surface. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Using hands, break into small pieces and serve. Store for up to 3 days in covered container.

Special Equipment

Air popper, rimmed baking sheet, parchment paper

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
403Calories
19gFat
57gCarbs
5gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories403
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g24%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Cholesterol 12mg4%
Sodium 58mg3%
Total Carbohydrate 57g21%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Total Sugars 47g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg3%
Calcium 118mg9%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 233mg5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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