Secret Ingredient Popcorn Mix

By GratefulSea

Yup, it's bacon. Or, more accurately, a bit of bacon fat. Yum! I don't know what to make of the long baking time, but plan to try it out, and keep a close eye on the oven.

Ingredients

• 10 slices bacon
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 6 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup small pretzels
• 1/2 cup raw shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• Salt, to taste

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 70mins
Adapted from tastingtable.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Place the bacon on a parchment-lined sheet tray and bake until crisp, about 15 minutes. Strain the rendered bacon fat through a fine sieve into a small bowl and set aside. You should have about ¼ cup of bacon fat. Reserve the bacon slices for another use or just snack on them before the party. Reduce the oven to 250°.

2. Add the Worcestershire sauce, paprika and cayenne to the bacon fat.

3. In a large bowl, combine the popcorn, pecans, pretzels and pumpkin seeds and toss with the spiced bacon fat until evenly coated. Season with salt, if needed. Divide the popcorn mix between two parchment-lined sheet trays and bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until the mix is toasted and fragrant, about 45 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and serve warm.