Whenever I want to make an inexpensive, healthy snack, popcorn almost always comes to mind. Kenya and I make popcorn together at least once a week, but last week I decided to change things up a bit for snack time and turn this simple treat into something even more fun and special.

I loved eating popcorn balls when I was growing up, but most recipes for them are loaded with sugar and thus not a great choice for kids. These weelicious popcorn balls are made with high protein nut butter and brown rice syrup, so they’re still plenty sweet like the old fashioned recipe, but much more nutritious and delicious in my opinion.

Popcorn Balls (Makes 28 1 1/2 Inch Balls)

7 Cups Popcorn (to make popcorn, you can follow the “cheesy popcorn” through step 3)
1/2 Cup Almond, Sunflower or Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Brown Rice Syrup (found at most health food stores)

1. Place the nut butter and rice syrup in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until warm, about 1 minute. You don’t want the mixture to cook or boil, just loosen up a bit so it becomes spreadable.
2. Pour the mixture over the popcorn in a bowl and with a rubber spatula or using your hands, coat the popcorn with the nut butter mixture.
3. Take a small portion (a little less than a 1/4 cup) of the popcorn mixture with slightly wet or damp hands and roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.
4. Serve.