4 Quick & Easy Flavored Popcorn Recipes
Planning a family movie night? Here are 4 of the best flavored popcorn recipes you can make in just a few minutes.
When it comes to snacks, popcorn is a favorite at my house. And what’s not to love? It’s a healthy wholesome serving of whole grains that’s a lot of fun to eat! But it also loses a little (ok, a lot) of its charm when you look at the ingredient list on your average bag of pre-made or microwave popcorn.
There’s so many unnecessary and unpronounceable ingredients (at least for me, Rebecca) for something that should be so simple! Popcorn is so, so easy to make yourself! You really don’t need all of the pre-made options.
Different Ways to Make Flavored Popcorn at Home
Air-popper method:
There are several different options for getting the popped goodness if you love popcorn for a movie or game night at home.
This method is incredibly simple and low-mess. The popcorn can end up a bit less tender and you need a special piece of equipment, but it’s also a great low-fat option!
Brown paper bag method:
This may be the easiest option on the list! Just throw some kernels into a brown paper bag, fold down the top, and toss it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. It’s still a low fat snack, and then you can just toss the bag when you’re finished!
Stovetop popcorn method:
As I mentioned above, this one is my favorite (and the method I’m showing in the pictures). It tastes the best and only requires equipment that you already have in your kitchen.
Best Popcorn Topping Ideas
Let’s be honest, a large bowl of popped popcorn is really only as good as its toppings. While melted butter and salt will always be one of my personal favorites (you can’t go wrong with butter!), there are other great options that offer a lot of variety.
Here are few ideas for you to mix and match along with them to make your own gourmet popcorn or flavored popcorn combination:
- Brown sugar
- Sprinkles for the kids
- Sugar for a classic kettle corn
- Toasted coconut
- Grated parmesan for cheese popcorn
- Caramel drizzle
- Peanut butter (this is coming from a currently pregnant woman, ha!)
- Honey
- Flavored butter
- Dried herbs
- Sriracha for a little kick
- Seasoned powders
- Himalayan or black sea salt
When is the Best Time to Add Popcorn Toppings?
It’s always best to add your toppings when the popcorn is freshly popped or still warmed to medium heat so that they really soak up the flavor. You can place the popcorn in a large bowl and lightly toss to coat it well.
How to Make Popcorn On The Stovetop
All you need is a large pot with a lid, a cup of popcorn kernels, and an oil of your choice. An oil with a high smoke temperature is ideal. Coconut oil or avocado oil are my favorites, but you could also use canola, vegetable, or sesame oil. Any of these are better than the plain old corn syrup kind for making your own flavored popcorn.
Can You Flavor Popcorn Before Popping?
With just a few tips, you can make your popcorn more exciting. Coat the unpopped kernels with oil and the seasoning of your choice before popping to get great flavor and less salty goodness on top when eating!
What is Healthy to Put On Popcorn?
You can spice up your popcorn in a healthy way by adding hot sauce or melting some cheese on top. You also might try sprinkling balsamic vinegar and eating it with pickles, jalapeños peppers for something different!
Once you’ve made your popcorn, the seasoning options are endless! We’ve made most of our popcorn recipes to make 12 cups of popped popcorn, but you could easily increase it to 16 cups if you have a larger group, too. Below are four easy popcorn recipes and popcorn toppings, but don’t forget to check out our funfetti popcorn recipe right here, too!
More Healthy Recipes
And in case you’re looking for additional healthy dinner or snack pairing ideas, here are a few of our favorites below —
- Serve these healthy baked apples as a dessert with our healthy turkey chili recipe for dinner
- If you’re serving leftovers you can pair this with a healthy snack idea
- Our Whole30 chicken wraps recipe is the perfect appetizer to a healthy turkey chili
- Have your turkey chili at night and a detox smoothie recipe in the morning
Classic Butter and Salt Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp butter
- 12 cup popped popcorn
- Sea salt
Nutrition
Instructions
- Melt butter.
- Drizzle it over the popcorn while using a large fork to toss it.
- Sprinkle with salt to taste.
Honey Butter Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 0.25 cup butter
- 0.25 cup honey
- 12 cup popped popcorn
- Sea salt
Nutrition
Instructions
- Melt the butter and honey in the microwave at 30 second increments until it is melted and liquid.
- Slowly drizzle over melted mixture over popcorn while tossing with a large fork.
- Sprinkle with salt to taste.
Stovetop Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oil (such as avocado, coconut, or canola)
- 1/2 cup un-popped popcorn kernels
- Sea salt
Nutrition
Instructions
- Set out a large bowl to dump the popcorn into when it’s finished.
- Place the oil and 3 kernels of popcorn in a large pot (about 12 quarts).
- Put the lid on and heat it over medium high heat until the 3 kernels have all popped. The 3-kernel test insures that your oil is hot enough to start popping!
- Carefully remove the lid away from you (there will be a cloud of steam).
- Dump in the rest of the popcorn kernels.
- Replace the lid and continue popping over medium-high, shaking the pot every few seconds to prevent burning.
- When the popping slows down and you only hear a pop every 3-5 seconds, remove the lid and dump the popcorn in the large bowl.
- Season however you’d like and enjoy!
Black Pepper and Parmesan Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup melted butter or olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup powdered parmesan cheese
- 12 cup popped popcorn
Nutrition
Instructions
- Drizzle the popcorn with the melted butter or olive oil.
- Toss it to evenly coat.
- Sprinkle in the ground pepper, salt, and powdered parmesan cheese.
- Toss to coat.
Don’t forget to share your flavored popcorn creations with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them all right here!
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