How To Make Zebra Popcorn

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What Is Zebra Popcorn?

Zebra popcorn is essentially homemade caramel popcorn that has been drizzled with melted white and dark chocolate – hence the name.

It makes for a delicious snack and can be eaten while watching movies and television. It can even be used as a wonderful Christmas present for loved ones.

Of course, zebra popcorn is famous for its over-the-top nature, which makes it one of the more decadent popcorns we have covered. So if you want something indulgent to munch on, you should consider making this amazing snack.

Now let’s take a look at how you can make your own zebra popcorn from scratch, as well as methods you can use.

How To Make Zebra Popcorn

In most cases, zebra popcorn is easy to make, as the recipe is similar to homemade caramel popcorn but with some added chocolate. It is possible to make this popcorn in the oven, although it can also be made in a saucepan on the stove. For this reason, we will be looking at both methods.

When making zebra popcorn, it is important to use fresh uncooked kernels. However, you can also use pre-made popcorn as a substitute, although we do not recommend this, as fresh kernels will produce a better taste.

Now that you understand what you will need to make your zebra popcorn, let’s take a look at the different methods you can use to make the snack.

Zebra Popcorn (In The Oven)

If you want to make your zebra popcorn in the oven, then the following instructions will take you through the process:

Ingredients

For Popcorn

Vegetable oil (3 tablespoons)
Kernels (½ cup)
Table salt (½ teaspoon)

For Zebra Popcorn

Unsalted butter (1 cup)
Baking soda (½ teaspoon)
Brown sugar (2 cups)

Light corn syrup (½ cup)
White chocolate chips (1 ½ cups)
Dark chocolate chips (1 ½ cups)

Method

Place a saucepan on medium-high heat and then add vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add some kernels to see if they pop.

When the oil is hot enough, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the remaining kernels.

Cover the saucepan with foil and use a sharp knife to poke holes into the surface, this will allow the steam to escape.

Return the saucepan to the stove and continue cooking while shaking the pan back and forth.

Once the popping slows down, remove the pan from the heat and uncover the foil, add salt and then transfer to a large bowl.

Remove any unpopped kernels and allow the popcorn to cool before moving on to the next step.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and place the popcorn into two large baking sheets.

Place a saucepan over medium-high heat and combine the salt, butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes and then remove the pan from the heat and mix in the baking soda.

Immediately pour this mixture over the popcorn and then mix it all together with a large spoon.

Bake the two sheets in the oven for 60 minutes, while making sure to stir the caramel corn every 15 minutes. Once the popcorn is glazed, you can remove it from the oven and leave it to cool.

Spread the popcorn out and then drizzle with melted white and dark chocolate, before leaving it to set.

Note: For the best results, store the popcorn at room temperature and in airtight containers, as this should keep the popcorn fresh and safe to eat for over a week.

Zebra Popcorn (On The Stove)

If you do not feel comfortable making zebra popcorn in the oven, then you can also make it using a stove.

Ingredients

For Popcorn

Vegetable oil (3 tablespoons)
Kernels (½ cup)

Table salt (½ teaspoon)

For Zebra Popcorn

Unsalted butter (1 cup)
Baking soda (½ teaspoon)

Brown sugar (2 cups)
Light corn syrup (½ cup)
White chocolate chips (1 ½ cups)

Dark chocolate chips (1 ½ cups)

Method

To start this method, repeat steps 1 – 6 of the previous recipe. Once the popcorn has been cooked, remove the unpopped kernels and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl to cool.

Butter a large baking sheet or spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Repeat this process with two spatulas and set aside.

In a saucepan, combine the salt, butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Place the pan over medium heat and allow the mixture to boil.

Once the mixture starts to boil, cover with the lid and allow it to sit for 1 – 2 minutes, this will reduce crystallization on the sides of the pan.

Remove the lid from the saucepan and check the temperature using a candy thermometer.

Continue to stir the mixture for 8 – 10 minutes until the caramel reaches a temperature of 300 degrees F.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in the baking soda, this should make the caramel foam.

Immediately pour the caramel over the bowl of popcorn and use the buttered spatulas to coat the kernels.

Transfer the popcorn to the buttered baking sheet and spread it out to produce an even layer.

In two separate saucepans, melt the white and dark chocolate chips over medium heat until smooth.

Once the popcorn is cool, break it up into bite sized pieces and drizzle with the melted white and dark chocolate.

Other Methods

While we recommend using one of the methods above, you can also make your own zebra popcorn using store-bought caramel corn. However, this particular recipe does not have the same amount of flavor as our method.

All you have to do is purchase a bag of caramel corn and lay it out on a baking sheet. Once you have done this, you can drizzle the popcorn with melted white and dark chocolate, which should result in quick and easy zebra corn.

Final Thoughts

Zebra popcorn is the ideal snack for anyone with a dark side, as the sinful treat is bursting with chocolate and caramel. Despite its various ingredients, zebra popcorn is easy to make and can be made using various methods.

Whether you cook it on the kitchen stove or from a packet of store-bought popcorn, this snack is a delicious feast that you will want again and again.

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