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Popcorn toppings can be so much more exciting than the regular sweet, salty or butter popcorn toppings in a bucket that you buy at the concession stand. Creative popcorn flavoring powder 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 spices and flavors by using what you have in your kitchen spice rack.
15 Seasoning Tricks for Homemade Recipes
Whether you like to stick with plain sweet and salty, go the savory route with herb butter, or want to try making your own, the popcorn toppings ideas listed below has something for everyone.
Choosing your own seasoning also gives you more control over the calories. Here are 15 popcorn seasoning recipes and ideas for you to try. Which one do you think is the best popcorn topping?
1. Bourbon Caramel
This is an expert recipe but it is worth it. Try this adult version and make a bucket this of caramel corn for any gathering or house party. You can substitute any bourbon or whiskey for the Hennessy should you have a different favorite dark liquor.
Check out the full recipe here.
2. Italian Herb Butter
This butter coating idea is much simpler than you think. Simply pour hot butter over your freshly popped corn, shake and then add a mix your own homemade popcorn seasoning 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
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 corn thoroughly.
To incorporate the salt better, add it right after your corn has finished popping but while it is still hot. Let it cool the hot melted sugar will be extremely hot, so be careful and ensure you don’t get any burnt tongues, resist that temptation of having a quick nibble.
Check out the full recipe here.
4. Caramel
Is caramel your all-time favorite? If you love sweet things, then this is the perfect popcorn toppings recipe for you. Why not try making your own as this is such a quick and simple way to get your fix of caramel.
Check out the full recipe here.
5. Cheesy
Have you ever thought of making it with cheese? well maybe you should try this, as it works surprisingly well. It has the creaminess of butter with the classic salty taste.
Douse your kernels with a little bit of olive oil before popping and then grate Parmesan or another dry salty cheese kernels while still hot. This is a homemade popcorn seasoning idea that is also keto-friendly.
Check out the full recipe here.
6. Japanese Furikake
Seaweed adds umami flavor to savory corn. This is another of the super simple popcorn seasonings ideas as you can buy premixed furikake spices in Asian specialty stores.
For an extra depth in this Japanese style flavor, pop your kernels with a teaspoon of sesame oil.
Check out the full recipe here.
7. Fancy Truffle Salt
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, We are sure you this will fast become your most used best popcorn seasoning.
Check out the full recipe here.
8. Sea salt and Lime
This is an elevated version of the classic salty corn that swaps out half the salt 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
Let the kernels soak up the smokiness of the bbq spice mix (yes this also makes the perfect popcorn flavoring powder) by adding bacon fat. Simply use the oil left in the pan after frying up bacon to crispy pieces. Obviously this is not an especially healthy popcorn seasoning, but a little of what you love occasionally does you good, as the saying goes.
Check out the full recipe here.
10. Garam Masala
Indian cuisine is known for its richness in spices which serves as the inspiration for this seasoning recipe. For Indian seasoning, replace the butter with coconut oil and add cumin seeds, turmeric powder, garam masala, crispy fried garlic, chili flakes, and salt. This will be your go-to choice if Indian spices are your favorite.
Check out the full recipe here.
11. Brown Butter Cinnamon Sugar
For this sweet seasoning inspired by cinnamon buns, pop the kernels with sugar and butter. Then, add cinnamon powder, a pinch of salt and a few drops of vanilla essence before shaking. As you have probably seen by now it is this easy to make your own popcorn spices, read on for our last, but by no means least, four popcorn seasonings and ideas.
Check out the full recipe here.
12. Chocolate Peanut Butter
This is a sweet recipe that combines chocolate and peanut butter and is dangerously addictive. It is a great party favor idea for a children’s birthday party, but not just one for the youngsters as it is a truly indulging treat for us adults as well.
Check out the full recipe here.
13. Pizza Popcorn
Popcorn and pizza are probably the greatest movie night snacks. But here is a recipe that combines these to great party or movie snacks into one great package. This is also different from the norm as it is oven-roasted and is a homemade seasoning recipe that you might just get addicted so beware.
Check out the full recipe here.
14. Sea Salt & Honey Butter
Combining honey and butter for a sweet snack of corn is like having crunchy pancakes. For this honey recipe, simply add butter, honey and brown sugar to your kernels and let the ingredients melt together while it is popping. How simple is that???
Check out the full recipe here.
15. Buffalo Ranch
A low carb snack alternative for ranch chips is the Buffalo ranch option. For the ranch dressing flavor add salt, dried parsley, onion and garlic powder, black pepper and buttermilk powder while still very hot.
Check out the full recipe here.
These homemade popcorn seasoning ideas will beat any store-bought microwave varieties. So why not get creative with the spices in your spice rack and experiment with adding herbs to butter/oil and make yourself and your family happy.
We hope these simple ideas make your snack time more fun. Happy Popcorning folks.
