Popcorn is one of those foods that I ‘really don’t like,’ until you find me in the movie theater going back to refill my extra-large bucket before the previews are over.

Once I start, I just can’t stop.

I found inspiration for this granola from the kettlecorn ProBar that I bought last week.

I had high hopes for this bar. I was expecting sweet, salty, and crunchy.

Instead, I got slightly dry and crumbly, with a ton of nuts and seeds. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t what I was expecting either – I had desired some light, crunchy carbs.

If I’m going to spend half of my life savings on a bar, I want it to be fabulous.

Of course, I had to make my own since I couldn’t get it out of my mind.

I can be a bit obsessive.

I air-popped some popcorn, but you can definitely use bag-popped as well. I crushed some pieces and left a few others whole. I wanted that big popcorn crunch.

I made a peanut butter glue to hold it all together.

Translation: I made a peanut butter glue and ate half of it before it ended up in the granola. The rest held it together.

It was exactly what I was looking for. A bit salty and sweet, with a light crunch.

 

Peanut Butter Popcorn Granola Bites

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups popcorn

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup chopped, dried figs

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine oats, popcorn, wheat germ and figs in a bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, peanut butter, honey, and salt until smooth.

Pour peanut butter mixture over oat mixture and stir to moisten.

Line a baking dish with parchment paper and press granola into it. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating once.

Let cool for 2-3 hours before crumbling granola.

Can you imagine if I felt about veggies the way I feel about popcorn? I’d probably eat 3-4 peppers and a few cups or broccoli before I realized what I was doing.

Or not.