Level Up the Average Bowl of Popcorn With These Delicious Recipes
Written by Ridley Kozman
I like popcorn; actually, I love it, and I eat it a lot. But popcorn has an image problem. For many people, it’s a movie food and just served with a bit of salt and butter. But popcorn is anything but boring and can be enjoyed at any time. With just a few ingredients you likely already have at home, popcorn is customizable and can be easily transformed into a gourmet snack.
Whether you're using microwave popcorn, air-popped kernels, or stovetop popcorn, the ideal time to add your toppings is while the popcorn is still warm. The heat makes the flavors stick, and you can coat every kernel. Here are some of my recommendations for leveling up popcorn:
1. Salty Sweet Popcorn
The combination of sweet and salty is always a winner. Try melting some butter in a small bowl with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a generous pinch of sea salt. Then pour this over warm popcorn in a large bowl and use a spatula to gently stir. If you like caramel corn and movie popcorn, this recipe will hit the spot!
2. Cinnamon Toast Popcorn
If you love cinnamon toast cereal or just actual cinnamon toast, then try melting some butter in a bowl with a dash of sugar and a heaping dash of cinnamon. Then drizzle this over warm popcorn in a large bowl. Mix carefully with a spatula and enjoy.
3. Pizza-Inspired Popcorn
This may sound weird at first, but pizza popcorn is a thing, and it’s tasty. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano and basil, or Italian seasoning over a large bowl of warm popcorn. Shake the bowl several times and try not to spill. Lastly, be adventurous and dig in!
4. Hot Chocolate Popcorn
This recipe is amazing in the winter and is a sweet take on popcorn. In a little bowl, mix a packet of hot chocolate powder or a heaping spoonful from a container of it with a liberal amount of powdered sugar. Whisk together with a small fork and then dust over warm popcorn. (You need to shake the bowl to get it to spread evenly.) Then, make yourself an actual cup of hot chocolate to drink alongside your popcorn, and you are in for a treat!
5. Maple Popcorn
As a Canadian, I have to celebrate maple flavors with this popcorn recipe. Drizzle a small amount of maple syrup (like you are pouring salad dressing over a salad) over a large bowl of
warm popcorn and toss. Add salt to balance the sweetness. This is another way to achieve some sweet and salty popcorn.
6. Ranch Popcorn
If you have ranch seasoning in your pantry, either in a packet or as a seasoning spice – you
need to try this. Sprinkle the ranch all over your warm popcorn and toss. If sour cream and onion potato chips are your go-to’s, this popcorn recipe will also be a new favorite for you.
7. Candy Crunch Popcorn
After Halloween and the holidays, you can repurpose leftover candy with popcorn! Try adding M&M’s, chocolate chips, mini pretzels, bits of a chocolate bar, peanuts, and raisins. You can do this with any combination of Halloween candies and pantry staples, and you
get popcorn trail mix or popcorn candy crunch. It’s inventive and delicious!
What I love most about popcorn is that it’s a blank canvas to get creative. Salty sweet, cinnamon toast, pizza, hot chocolate, maple, ranch, and candy crunch are some of my suggestions, but come up with some of your own too! The popcorn possibilities are endless. There is no need to think of popcorn as boring and predictable. You can create a unique, delicious, gourmet bowl of popcorn at home!
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