Heidi Swanson calls these carnival cookies, not the sickly sweet artificial-coloured kind, but wholesome sugar-free bites packed with nutrients. The popcorn and chocolate chips bring to mind amusement park snacks.

Makes 22-24

1 1/2 c rolled oats

1/2 c almond meal or ground almonds

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 c mashed bananas (about 3 or 4)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c coconut oil, softened or just melted

1 1/2 c popcorn

1 c chocolate of choice (chopped, chips, buttons or b...

What to make for the school picnic? Something bite size, sweet and healthy - who doesn't love popcorn?

Makes 20 balls

1/4 c popcorn kernels
1/4 c tahini or nut butter
1/2 c rice syrup or honey
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp sesame seeds
3 tbsp desiccated coconut

Pop the corn (on stove top or microwave) and put in a large bowl; discard kernels that haven't popped.

In a small saucepan melt the tahini, rice syrup and coconut oil. Let bubble vigorously for a few minutes, remove from hea...

• ½ cup macadamia nut butter (I used brazil, cashew, almond butter)
  
• 1/ 2 cup rice malt syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 tsp sea salt flakes
• 4 cups popped corn kernels (made from popping about ¼ cup corn kernels)

1. Line a square tin with some waxed baking paper.
2. Place nut butter, rice malt syrup, vanilla extrac...

This is a wickedly good treat for watching films at home or in the cinema, or watching the Reds beat the Crusaders in the Super 15 final. Boo!

5 cups freshly popped popcorn
1 cup whole almonds
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
50 g butter
2 tbs golden syrup or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 100 C. Grease a baking sheet.
Mix popcorn and almonds in large bowl.
Over low heat, mix sugar, butter and syrup in medium sauce...