Maple Sugar Popcorn with Chili Smoked Salt

Instructions

1. Pour the maple syrup into a small pot and heat until it reaches 270° F. Do not stir while it is heating, as this will cause the syrup to crystalize and seize up. Once the syrup reaches 270° F, pour it onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow it to cool completely to harden like candy.
2. Pop the popcorn using either the stovetop or an air popper.  Melt the butter in a small saucepan* and toss with the popcorn to your liking.
3. Break the cooled maple syrup into smaller pieces and add to a food processor with 1 tablespoon of chili flake smoked salt. Blend this mixture until it is a fine powder. Toss this powder with the coated popcorn to your tastes. 

* For a deeper flavor, you can brown the butter by cooking it on low heat until it turns an amber color. Use this browned butter to toss with the popcorn before adding the maple sugar. We preferred the brown butter during recipe testing.

Acknowledgements

This project resulted from a partnership between the American Indian Foods program of the Intertribal Agriculture Council and Montana State University (MSU). The project was funded by MSU’s Outreach and Engagement Council and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (award number 2020-38640-31523-WS1RE through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under project number SW21-929). MSU and USDA are equal opportunity employers and service providers. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSU or the USDA.

Innovator

MSU Food Product Development Lab (FPDL) collaborates with communities to innovate and develop new food products, focusing on enhancing nutritional value and economic opportunities for local producers, particularly in underserved regions.

 

Project Partner

Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) promotes the conservation and development of agricultural resources for Native American communities, focusing on sustainable practices, food sovereignty, and economic growth through advocacy, technical assistance, and policy development.

 

Funder

Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (WSARE) program provides competitive grants to support farmer-driven research and education initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance profitability, and protect natural resources across the Western United States.

Funder

MSU Outreach & Engagement Council (OEC) fosters community partnerships and engagement initiatives to enhance public service, educational opportunities, and the university's land-grant mission throughout Montana and beyond.