Candy and sweet treats are a big part of Halloween. Since it only happens once a year, enjoy your candy and sweet treats, but in moderation. They have a lot of calories, saturated fat, and added sugars. Make a switch. Add popcorn with candy to increase nutrients for a healthier treat.
Popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, plus it is high in fiber. Be careful when adding butter, oil, and/or salt. Choose air-popped popcorn without added fat (31 calories per cup), oil-popped (35 calories per cup) or lightly buttered popcorn (about 80 calories per cup). When buying pre-packaged popcorn, use the nutrition facts label to compare calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium amounts to choose healthier options. Did you know popcorn counts as a whole grain? MyPlate recommends getting at least half of your grains from whole grains. One serving of whole grains equals three cups of popcorn.
Photo by Kayla Colgrove
Halloween Bony Fingers
- 15 cups air-popped popcorn, unsalted
- 25 pieces candy corn
- 5 poly disposable gloves, clear, one size fits most (powder-free and food safe)
Directions:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Prepare popcorn according to the air popper directions.
- Take 1 food safe plastic glove and place 1 piece of candy corn at the end of each finger for fingernails.
- Fill each glove with 3 cups of popcorn. Place some popcorn in fingers first and then add the remaining popcorn to glove.
- Tie the end of glove with ribbon or yarn.
- 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels equals 16 cups of popped popcorn. Enjoy the leftover popcorn (about 1 cup).
- Prepare popcorn in a microwave according to package directions or on top of the stove.
Nutrition Information:
Source:
Adapted from Alice Henneman's original article, Healthy Halloween Party Foods with Popcorn.
Photo by Kayla Colgrove
Halloween Party Popcorn Mix
- 16 cups air-popped popcorn, unsalted
- 1/2 cup candy corn
- 1/2 cup orange, brown, and yellow candy pieces filled with peanut butter
Directions:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Prepare popcorn according to the air popper directions.
- Add about 1/4 of the popcorn to a large bowl. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the candy on top of popcorn. Repeat layering of ingredients since mixing causes candy to fall to bottom of bowl.
- Serve with a scoop from a large bowl or fill a self-closing plastic bag with 2 cups of mixture for each person to enjoy.
- 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels equals 16 cups of popped popcorn.
- Prepare popcorn in a microwave according to package directions or on top of the stove.
- Add raisins, other dried fruit, nuts, gummy worms, or other orange and black candies.
Nutrition Information:
Source:
Adapted from Alice Henneman, Healthy Halloween Party Foods with Popcorn.
Sources:
MyPlate, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
All About Popcorn, The Popcorn Board
This newsletter was reviewed and udpated in 2024.
