So, here’s the deal. I am awful when it comes to planning after-school snacks. When it comes to breakfast, lunch and dinner I feel like I am on my “A” game but after-school snacks are not within my wheelhouse. I rarely put much thought into appropriate after-schools snacks and find myself in full on panic mode when my kids come home from school starving and begin tearing through the refrigerator and pantry. But the other day I decided to step up my game. I surprised the boys with the loaded Coconut Raisin Chocolate Almond Popcorn. It was packed with nutritious goodies like coconut, raisins and almonds but also felt like a treat. It was a moment of pure genius.
I packed this popcorn with ingredients like California Raisins because it is are win-win. Win for me and a win for the kids. California Raisins are an all-natural, dried-by-the-sun fruit you can feel good about sending with your kids as they head back to school or offering as an after-school snack. The ingredient list says it all: Raisins. We rely on California Raisins for breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-school snacks. Convenient and portable, California Raisins are a great choice for wholesome, healthy, on-the-go snacking (perfect for the soccer fields). They are a great value, too! According to the USDA, raisins are the most economical dried fruit – I always have them on hand in my pantry for when I am running low on fresh fruit.
To make this Coconut Raisin Chocolate Almond Popcorn, I popped whole kernel popcorn in coconut oil right on my stove top. I then lightly tossed the fresh popped popcorn in a small amount of chocolate chips to keep the sugar count down since California Raisins come by their sweetness naturally. With California Raisins, the nutrition label tells a great story: Zero fat, no cholesterol and no added sugar. Plus, raisins offer 9% of your daily fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron. (per quarter cup serving) so I didn’t to mess with all the good stuff by adding a bunch of junk. I rounded out the goodness by adding coconut chips (not flakes) and almonds. Since popcorn is so voluminous this Coconut Raisin Chocolate Almond Popcorn goes a long way to satisfying the after-school hunger and keeping the boys full until dinnertime.
Coconut Raisin Chocolate Almond Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 cup popcorn kernels unpopped
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup coconut chips
- 1/2 cup California Raisins
- 1/2 cup Chopped Almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon sugar (combined)
Instructions
- Pop popcorn kernels in coconut oil using air pop method or stovetop.
- While popcorn is still hot place in a large bowl and add chocolate chips Toss to coat.
- Once popcorn is coated lightly with chocolate, add coconut chops, California Raisins and Almonds to popcorn and combine. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture on top and serve. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.
Not only is this Coconut Raisin Chocolate Almond Popcorn packed with California Raisins good as an after-school snack, it is also great for movie nights, dessert and the lunch bag when you are craving something sweet.
Visit www.loveyourraisins.com for more information about California Raisins and find us on Facebook at http://clvr.li/1tmy3j2 where you can sign up to receive a California Raisins prize pack! Limited supply; while quantities last.
Enjoy and happy snacking!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
This article was written by food blogger Linda Arceo and Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps