Popcorn seasoning can be so much more exciting than the regular sweet, salty or butter popcorn bucket that you buy at the concession stand. Creative popcorn flavors can be easily achieved with some must-have kitchen spices.
Herbs and spices have some powerful health benefits but they are also used to make flavorsome food. Once you know how to make popcorn you can get much more creative with popcorn flavors by using what you have in your kitchen spice rack.
15 Seasoning Tricks for Homemade Popcorn
Whether you like to stick with plain sweet and salty kind, go the savory route with herb butter, or want to try something try making your own Bourbon caramel popcorn, these popcorn ideas will have something for everyone.
Choosing your own seasoning also gives you more control over the popcorn calories. Here are 15 popcorn seasoning ideas for you to try. Which one do you think is the best popcorn seasoning?
1. Bourbon Caramel Popcorn
This is an expert popcorn recipe but it is worth it. Try this adult version of caramel popcorn for a house party. You can substitute any bourbon or whiskey for the Hennessy if you have a different favorite dark liquor.
Check out the full recipe here.
2. Italian Herb Butter Popcorn
This popcorn butter idea is much simpler than you think. Simply pour hot butter over your freshly popped corn, shake then add a mix of dried Italian herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, sage, rosemary and a hint of chili flakes.
Check out the full recipe here.
3. Sweet and Salty Popcorn
Sweet and salty popcorn is not as strange as it sounds. For the best balance, pop your corn kernels with some sugar so that it melts and coats the popcorn.
To incorporate the salt better, add it right after you finished popping while it is still hot. Then let it cool because hot melted sugar is not safe for your tongue.
Check out the full recipe here.
4. Caramel Popcorn
Is caramel popcorn your all-time favorite? If you love sweet things, then this is for the perfect recipe for you. Why not try making your own homemade caramel popcorn.
Check out the full recipe here.
5. Cheesy Popcorn
Popcorn with cheese works surprisingly well. It has the creaminess of butter with the classic salty popcorn taste.
Douse your popcorn kernels with a little bit of olive before popping and then grate Parmesan or another dry salty cheese over the popcorn while it is still hot. This is a popcorn seasoning idea that is also keto friendly.
Check out the full recipe here.
6. Japanese Furikake Popcorn
Seaweed adds umami flavor to savory popcorn. This is a super simple popcorn seasoning idea because you can buy premixed furikake spices in Asian specialty stores.
For extra depth in this Japanese style popcorn flavor, pop your popcorn kernels with a teaspoon of sesame oil.
Check out the full recipe here.
7. Fancy Truffle Salt Popcorn
Replace your regular kosher salt with truffle salt which is available in most (specialty) supermarkets. Add hot butter for extra creaminess to balance out the earthy flavor of truffle.
Check out the full recipe here.
8. Sea salt and Lime Popcorn
This is an elevated version of the classic salty popcorn that swaps out half the salt on your popcorn with pink sea salt. Add a gentle squeeze of lime juice and grated lime zest before shaking.
Check out the full recipe here.
9. Barbecue Bacon Popcorn
Let the popcorn soak up the smokiness of the bbq spice mix by adding bacon fat. Simply use the oil left in the pan after frying up bacon to crispy pieces.
Check out the full recipe here.
10. Garam Masala Popcorn
Indian cuisine is known for their richness in spices which serves as the inspiration for this popcorn seasoning recipe. For Indian popcorn seasoning, replace the butter with coconut oil and add cumin seeds, turmeric powder, garam masala, crispy fried garlic, chili flakes, and salt.
Check out the full recipe here.
11. Brown Butter Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn
For this sweet popcorn seasoning inspired by cinnamon buns, pop the popcorn kernels with sugar and butter. Then, add cinnamon powder, a pinch of salt and a few drops of vanilla essence before shaking.
Check out the full recipe here.
12. Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn
This sweet popcorn recipe that combines chocolate and peanut butter is dangerously addictive. It is a great party favor idea for a children’s birthday party.
Check out the full recipe here.
14. Pizza Popcorn
Popcorn and pizza are probably the greatest movie night snacks. Combine them into one great snack by eating popcorn with pizza flavors as in this popcorn seasoning recipe.
Check out the full recipe here.
14. Sea Salt & Honey Butter Popcorn
Combining honey and butter for sweet popcorn is like having crunchy pancakes. For honey popcorn, add butter, honey and brown sugar to your stovetop popcorn and let the ingredients melt together while it is popping.
Check out the full recipe here.
15. Buffalo Ranch Popcorn
A low carb snack alternative for ranch chips is Buffalo ranch popcorn. For the ranch, dressing flavor add salt, dried parsley, onion and garlic powder, black pepper and buttermilk powder to hot homemade popcorn.
Check out the full recipe here.
These homemade popcorn ideas beat any store-bought microwave popcorn. Get creative with the spices in your spice rack and experiment with adding herbs to butter popcorn.
These simple popcorn seasoning ideas make snack time more fun and give you better control over the calories you eat.
