Copycat Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets

Let's start with the obvious question...

WHAT THE HECK IS A BEAVER NUGGET???

If you've ever road-tripped through Texas, you might have come across a chain of gas stations/convenience stores called Buc-ee's®. 

They're just about the best thing on a long Texas road trip. They boast the cleanest restrooms (and, I think, the largest), and a cult following due to their cute little mascot, in-house goodies (like BBQ, jerky, banana pudding, fudge, roasted nuts), and yes...Beaver Nuggets.


Beaver Nuggets are a little like kettle corn or caramel corn. Instead of popcorn, though, the nuggets are puffcorn. Big, fluffy, no-kernel puffcorn. 

Confession: I don't like caramel corn...it's too dark, too sticky, too crunchy, but THESE are different - light, fluffy, with a slight crunch and the most delicious buttery flavor.

They're actually pretty easy to make at home...and I dare say, BETTER!!! Be careful, though, they are outrageously addictive.

Copycat Beaver Nugget Recipe

For the correct texture, I use Old Dutch Puffcorn, and I recommend it highly! I had to order it online, although it looks like some Target stores might carry it. Must be a regional delicacy.

Puffcorn is different than popcorn. Puffcorn is lighter, and well, puffier...with no kernels!

The nuggets get coated in a caramel sauce, so you'll need the usual butter and sugar...you'll also need some flavoring. The ingredients list on a bag of Beaver Nuggets is a little vague, listing "flavors," although it does list butter flavoring.

Mr. E nailed the taste of Beaver Nuggets when he described them as "like a waffle with syrup." 

I was able to track down an older version of the label (thank you, interwebs) which listed "maple flavoring" as an ingredient. This combination of extracts and flavorings in this recipe is the SECRET to getting the Beaver Nuggets flavor spot on. Ding, ding, ding!!!

Speaking of waffles, have you tried these Cinnamon Sugar Waffles with Cinnamon Peanut Butter Maple Drizzle???

Make the caramel sauce on the stove, stir in the extracts, and pour over the puffcorn. Spread the coated puffcorn onto a rimmed cookie sheet. You'll bake this for 45 minutes, stirring every so often. The baking crisps up the caramelly coating.

Once baked, pour the nuggets onto your countertop or a large cutting board and let them cool. When cooled, break apart any that have stuck together. Store in an airtight container (we use a large ziptop bag).

Copycat Beaver Nuggets (Caramel Puffcorn)

If you’ve ever been road-tripping through Texas, you may have stumbled upon Buc-ee’s, Texas’ most famous gas station/convenience store chain. Buc-ee’s® is famous for its Beaver Nuggets – an utterly addictive caramel puff corn. Now you can make it at home, no road trip needed. 

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

BAKE TIME: 45 minutes

YIELD: ~12 cups

8-10 ounces plain or butter-flavored Puffcorn (recommended: Old Dutch)

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon maple extract

1/2 teaspoon butter extract/flavoring

Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 250. 

Pour the puff corn into two large bowls. Melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring frequently, until boiling. Boil for 2 minutes while stirring.

Remove from heat and immediately add the baking soda and extracts. Stir while the mixture bubbles and foams. Pour half of the mixture over each bowl of puffcorn. Use salad servers or “salad hands” to toss and coat the puffcorn evenly.

Pour all of the coated puffcorn onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes. 

Remove from oven, and pour onto a large cutting board or clean countertop lined with waxed paper and spread into an even layer. Let cool. Break pieces apart if needed. Store in an airtight container for several days.