This gluten-free DIY hostess gift, the bacon, bourbon, maple popcorn hits all the right spots, with it's freshly popped popcorn, sprinkled with thick-cut applewood bacon, and then drizzled with butter, salt, maple syrup, and of course bourbon!  It's a quick, easy, and inexpensive DIY gift for friends, co-workers, and host/hostess's this holiday season!

Best Maple Popcorn!

It's been a minute {isn't that what kids are saying these days?} since I have made this popcorn...and it's been an even longer "minute" since I made this popcorn as a DIY gift.  And I don't know why.....

I love receiving homemade gifts, so I just fly under the assumption that others will love my homemade DIY gifts just as much.  

I especially love giving this maple, bacon, bourbon popcorn as a host or hostess gift around the holidays.  It's just a little token of appreciation, just a little thank you for having me over for Thanksgiving/Christmas/holiday party/no reason at all/some reason/any reason/ forgot the reason gift.

I brought this batch over to a get-together my friend was hosting last night.  I don't think the hostess even set it down.  She and everyone else in the party {myself included} stuffed our faces with it until it was completely gone.  Your gift receiver will be thanking you for the cute and clever, slightly unhealthy, highly devourable snack that will be gone in seconds!

Giving maple popcorn as a gift:

I have given this Bourbon Bacon Maple Popcorn as a gift too many times to count.

One of my best friends requires it on her birthday every year.

You know that this popcorn has GOT to be good if you are bypassing a birthday cake for a mason jar full of gourmet popcorn!

It's that GOOD!

This popcorn gift is really easy and quick to make and it's an incredibly affordable gift idea.

After quickly making this delicious sweet and salty {and bacon-y and boozey!} crunchy treat, I overfill big old mason jars and cram tops on them.

Then I wrap cute twine around the necks of the jars with little note cards and off you go with an inexpensive holiday gift for just about anyone {except for those few popcorn haters out there...somewhere...grrr...}.

Maple popcorn gift giving ideas:

I like to put this maple popcorn in mason jars.  

Not only are mason jars adorable for gifts but they come with handy dandy tops, perfect for transporting your gift and making sure all that popcorn stuffed inside stays in there and protected.

Tie a holiday ribbon, a burlap string, or a piece of twine around the neck of your jar or popcorn tin.

Top it with a bow or ornament for Christmas.

I've also put even larger amounts of this bacon bourbon maple popcorn in holiday tins that you can purchase at grocery and cooking stores. 

Maple Popcorn Ingredients:

• 1 bag of gluten-free popcorn, popped
• thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled, I like applewood smoked for this recipe
• pure maple syrup
• salted butter 
• gluten-free bourbon
• coarse sea salt, or more if using unsalted butter

For a detailed list of directions, scroll down to find the full recipe card.

How to make maple popcorn with bourbon and bacon:

1. Preheat your oven to 250*F. Lay the popped popcorn on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper and sprinkle the bacon crumbles on top. Set aside.
2. In a medium sauce pan, combine the maple syrup and butter over low/med heat until melted, combined, and simmering. Once simmering, let simmer (stirring continuously) another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the bourbon and salt immediately.
3. Drizzle the syrup over top of the popcorn and bacon and stir to evenly coat.
4. Cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring the popcorn every 8-10 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Using your fingers, break apart any large clumps before placing in mason jars and stealing a few bites for yourself!

How to store leftover maple popcorn:

Store your leftover maple popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Trust me though, it won't last that long.  It'll be gobbled up so fast!

Maple Popcorn Pro Tips:

• unsalted butter can also work in this recipe, just use a pinch more coarse sea salt when the recipe calls for it!
• It honestly doesn't matter what type of bacon that you have to use for this recipe.  It'll all taste fantastic mixed together with the rest of these ingredients.  So don't stress!  I just like to use my tried and true tested favorite combination of ingredients for this recipe and that just happens to be thick-cut applewood bacon. Mmmmmmm!
• Don't forget to stir continuously when you are simmering your wet ingredients together so that it becomes the most awesome glaze you will ever meet!