Smoked Gouda and Candied Bacon Popcorn Bites

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the candied bacon: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange bacon slices on the prepared sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, and cayenne pepper. Brush this mixture evenly over the bacon slices. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. Let cool completely, then chop into small pieces.

   ~30 min
2. 2

   Make the popcorn: In a large pot with a lid, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add popcorn kernels, cover, and shake the pot occasionally. Once popping begins, reduce heat to medium and continue to shake until popping slows to several seconds between pops. Remove from heat.

   ~5 min
3. 3

   Prepare the cheese coating: In a food processor, pulse the smoked Gouda cheese until it is finely grated. This helps it melt and coat the popcorn evenly.

   ~2 min
4. 4

   Combine and coat: In a large bowl, combine the popped popcorn and the finely grated Smoked Gouda cheese. Add the chopped candied bacon pieces and the salt. Gently toss everything together until the cheese and bacon are evenly distributed throughout the popcorn. You can warm the bowl slightly (e.g., in a very low oven or microwave for 15 seconds) to help the cheese cling better, but be careful not to melt it completely into a sauce.

   ~5 min
5. 5

   Optional: For an extra crispy texture and to set the coating, spread the popcorn mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes, or air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. This step is crucial for achieving the desired bite-like consistency.

   ~12 min
6. 6

   Allow to cool slightly before serving. The bites will firm up as they cool.

   ~30 min