This gorgeous Rainbow Popcorn is sure to be a hit with the kiddos in your life….both young and old!
David is SIX!
Wow! I can hardly believe that David turned SIX 1 month ago! 1 month and 1 day to be exact. How did this past month fly by so quickly? I’d like to think that means we’re getting closer to spring and sunshine, but that’s not likely around here—we’ve had just 3 days of sunshine since October. Anyway, I digress. David turned 6 in February and it felt like we celebrated non stop for days. There was the class party. Then the celebration with Grandma and Grandpa. Then the actual birthday party with friends. And then 2 days later we had the class Valentine’s Day Party. Whew. Are you tired just reading that? Because I am. The first half of February kicks my butt every year. But it’s been a month now, and I’m ready to talk about it—including one of the treats I served during this whirlwind of a month—Rainbow Popcorn! But we’ll get to that in a minute.
First—let’s talk about this wild and silly 6 year old David. How can he be 6? Have you been reading since he was an itty bitty baby? How did this happen? My big kid is thriving in his first year of school—he can not get enough of kindergarten. He loves his teacher and his friends. And when he is away from school (which makes him very sad), he loves time with his brother. Mostly! He loves to learn, and spends weekends pouring through books, learning facts about space and US History, and practicing his writing. He’s even lost 6 teeth—seems appropriate! He is a total mama’s boy, and at the same time can get under my every last nerve. He is, afterall, my mini me.
^^^ Serious goofball!
RAINBOW POPCORN
For David’s class party we made Chocolate Chip Cupcakes! And for his party with his friends we made Strawberry Shortcake Cups. And a few days later, for Valentine’s Day, we made this really fun Rainbow Popcorn. When I was younger my mom made this fun popcorn that was almost a caramel corn, made with different flavors of jello. I attempted to make it with vegan jello and it didn’t work. I’m not sure what the deal was, but I didn’t feel like trying again—I had another idea! I realized that the freeze dried fruit that seems to be everywhere these days would make a perfect colored powder to toss the popcorn in….and I was right!
I fiddled around with a few different flavors, creating both sweet and savory Rainbow Popcorn! I feel like there could be so many different options for flavors—I’m excited to try freeze dried banana chips next! Strawberry was the prettiest color (I think), Edamame was Irving’s favorite, and the boys liked the Blueberry! I find my freeze dried fruits at Trader Joe’s and Target, and I’ve also seen them at Whole Foods. Be sure to use freeze dried, not regular dried, to get the powdered texture you’ll need.
Look how easy it is to make!
I use the same air popper that my parents had when I was a kid. It lasted them 30 years, so I’m hoping mine will last just as long!
This Rainbow Popcorn made a great inexpensive and semi-healthy treat to share with David’s classmates for their Valentine’s party. I packed little bags full of popcorn and sealed them with a heart shape sticker—easy!
I hope you get a chance to try this fun spin on popcorn! If you do, be sure to take a picture and post it on social media! {#frieddandelions // @frieddandelions}
Rainbow Popcorn and David Turns 6!
Ingredients
For a sweet popcorn powder:
- 1/2 cup freeze dried fruit* (I used strawberries and blueberries)
- 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons coconut oil
For a savory popcorn powder:
- 1/2 cup freeze dried veggie* I used edamame, I think freeze dried peas would work well too
- 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
For the popcorn:
- 1/4 cup of popcorn
- 1 batch of sweet or savory rainbow popcorn powder
- 1 clean paper grocery bag
Instructions
- Place the ingredients for either the sweet or the savory popcorn powder, EXCEPT the oil, in the dry canister of your blender. (alternately you can try to do it in batches in a coffee or spice grinder, or in a regular blender or food processor).
- Blend the ingredients until they are a fine powder and well mixed.
- Set aside.
- Pop the popcorn either on the stove, or in a popcorn maker.
- Place the popcorn in a clean paper grocery bag and drizzle the oil on top. Shake well. Open the bag and add two tablespoons of the powder on the popcorn. Close the bag and shake again.
- Pour into a bowl and serve!
Notes
Need more birthday party ideas?
David is 2!
David is 3!
David is 4!
David is 5!
This is such a fun idea, Sarah!! I also use the same air popper that my parents had when I was a kid. It’s still going strong, so why replace it?
I love everything about this post! Happy Birthday, David!
You got me thinking about popcorn flavors I would like to try. The possibilities are endless!
I want to try it with bananas! I can see some kind of banana caramel flavor going on!
It sounds like a fun but exhausting month. I love this rainbow popcorn. It was such a good idea to use freeze dried fruit! I bet it went down really amongst the kids!
Thank you! It was really fun!
Sarah, this idea is genius! And it’s so simple! You could make popcorn to fit almost any party theme just by changing the kind of fruit/veggie you use. Seriously brilliant!
Thank you! Yes, the color possibilities are kind of endless—that freeze dried fruit is everywhere now!
Happy birthday, David! this is such a fun idea for a party! (Or for a night on the sofa with Netflix!)
Yes! Netflix and
chillpopcorn! 😉Oh my gosh, I LOVE THIS! I wish I’d made rainbow popcorn for Darrol’s rainbow party 2 weekends ago!
It would pair perfectly with your rainbow hummus spread!
David is so cute! I bet all of his classmates and friends loved the vegan treats you made for them! My mom didn’t cook but if she ever made this popcorn for me I’d think she was a superstar (like you are!). 🙂
Aw, thanks! I hope I won cool points!