Buzz
Photo: Jordachelr/Getty ImagesFluffy popcorn has become the latest TikTok sensation, a festive Halloween treat. These marshmallow-covered snacks resemble Rice Krispies treats and are topped with your choice of fun extras, such as sprinkles, candy corn, or your favorite Halloween candy.
Before you recreate the TikTok recipe, make sure to tweak it first. The raw flour in the cake mix is unsafe to consume as is. A registered dietitian explains the dangers of raw flour and how to safely modify the recipe.
How Can You Make Fluffy Popcorn?
The original fluffy popcorn recipe by @katelynnjeaneee has gone viral, with over 4.8 million views on TikTok and countless recreations.
Katelyn Jeane's recipe calls for 1 stick of butter, a 10-ounce bag of marshmallows, 1 bag of popcorn, and half a bag of cake mix, along with optional toppings like sprinkles or candy. Begin by melting the butter in a large pot on the stove, then stir in the marshmallows until fully melted. Next, mix in the cake mix and fold in the popcorn until it reaches a Rice Krispies treat-like consistency. Lastly, remove from heat and add any toppings you like.
However, most packaged cake mixes contain raw, enriched flour, which presents a potential health risk.
What Makes Fluffy Popcorn Risky to Eat?
Since most cake mixes contain flour, they must be cooked properly before being consumed. 'Raw flour is a high-risk food, and eating it puts you at risk for getting a bacterial infection, such as E. coli or Salmonella,' explains registered dietitian Kathleen Garcia-Benson, RDN.
Unfortunately, simply heating fluffy popcorn on the stove won’t lower the risk of illness. 'Heating the raw flour isn’t equivalent to cooking it to the correct temperatures. The FDA recommends following the baking mix instructions for the right cooking temperatures and times,' Garcia-Benson adds.
'Foodborne illnesses can lead to symptoms like intense stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and in severe cases, can damage vital organs, causing long-term health issues,' says Garcia-Benson.
How to Safely Adjust the Recipe
You don’t have to miss out on fluffy popcorn if you’re craving it. Garcia-Benson advises spreading the melted popcorn mixture on a baking sheet and baking it at 350°F until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F.
Make sure to use a thermometer to verify that the snack has reached the safe temperature. This step is especially crucial when preparing food for individuals with weakened immune systems, young children, or the elderly, as they are more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Additionally, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water after handling raw flour to prevent the spread of contaminants.
If you prefer to skip the baking step, simply omit the cake mix (as seen in many popcorn bar recipes) or find a substitute to bind the popcorn together and give it that cake-like flavor. Instant pudding mix without flour, which doesn’t require baking, will do the trick. Alternatively, try combining ¼ cup of powdered sugar with a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
