Seasoning popcorn is a great way to make it special and even tastier! The classic salt and butter combination is always a winner, but there are many other versions that are worth trying. The secret to making the topping stick to popcorn is to grease or butter it, then season it quickly.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Salted Popcorn
Step 1. If you like spices, season the popcorn with a blend of Cajun flavors
Make 100g of popcorn and sprinkle it with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of melted butter. Stir to season them evenly, then immediately add 3-4 tablespoons of a Cajun spice blend. Resume stirring to evenly distribute the spices over all the popcorn.
- You can purchase a ready-made Cajun spice blend, or you can make it yourself by combining 2 teaspoons of paprika, one teaspoon of garlic powder, two tablespoons of salt and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder.
- For a spicy touch, you can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Step 2. If you like Mexican flavors, you can use salt, chilli and cumin powder
Make 100g of popcorn and sprinkle it with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of melted butter. Stir to distribute the butter, then immediately add the Mexican spice mixture. Resume stirring to evenly season the popcorn.
To make the Mexican spice mix, use one and a half teaspoons of chili powder, 2 tablespoons of salt, and one tablespoon of ground cumin
Step 3. Season the popcorn with the curry
Make 100 g of popcorn and sprinkle it with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of melted butter. Stir and add 3-4 tablespoons of a mixture of curry and other spices. Distribute the seasonings evenly.
You can make the curry and spice blend with a tablespoon of curry, 2 tablespoons of salt, a small pinch of pepper, a teaspoon of turmeric powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper
Step 4. Try cheese popcorn
For this recipe you need the condiment that is contained in the box of the legendary Anglo-Saxon macaroni and cheese, Mac & Cheese. First, make 100g of popcorn and sprinkle it with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of melted butter. Stir to season them evenly and gradually add 30 g of the powdered dressing for the macaroni and cheese.
Replacing the ready topping with grated cheese will not achieve the same result, as it contains many other flavors and adheres better to popcorn
Step 5. Season the popcorn with buttermilk, black pepper, salt and dill
In this case, it is better to use oil instead of butter. Make 100g of popcorn and toss with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle them with the spice mixture and keep stirring until well seasoned.
- Make the spice mix with 2 tablespoons of powdered buttermilk, 2 teaspoons of dried dill, one teaspoon of black pepper powder, and two teaspoons of salt.
- Make sure it's buttermilk and not powdered milk.
- You can replace the dill with another herb of your choice.
Step 6. Season the popcorn with grated Parmesan and rosemary
Make 150g of popcorn and sprinkle them with 3 tablespoons (45ml) of extra virgin olive oil. In another bowl, mix 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese with a tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt. Pour the dressing over the popcorn and then mix well.
Step 7. Sprinkle the popcorn with your favorite cheese and then melt it in the oven
You can use a combination of different cheeses, for example 200g of sweet provolone, 100g of Parmesan and 50g of pecorino. Make 150g of popcorn and sprinkle them with the grated cheese mixture. Stir them, transfer them to a baking sheet and heat them in the oven at 175 ° C for 3 minutes. Sprinkle the popcorn with a pinch of salt before serving.
- Spread the popcorns in the pan so that they form a thin layer. If they go over the edge, divide them into two pans.
- If you don't have enough pans, heat the popcorn in the oven a little at a time.
Step 8. Try a gourmet combination with bacon and chives
Chop and brown 6 slices of bacon. Once cooked, drain on a paper towel-lined plate and store any remaining fat in the pan. Make 150g of popcorn and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of the fat released by the bacon during cooking and 2 tablespoons (30ml) of melted butter. Pour the chopped bacon over the popcorn, then add 25 g of chopped chives, half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- After browning the bacon, block the slices with a spatula as you pour the fat into a jar.
- You can save the leftover bacon fat and use it for another recipe. If you do not intend to keep it, do not pour it into the sink drain but into the wet bucket.
Method 2 of 2: Popcorn Sweets
Step 1. Make the caramel popcorn
In a large saucepan, bring 350ml of melted butter, 550g of brown sugar, and 250ml of golden syrup to a boil (a caramelized sugar syrup that you can buy ready-made online or easily make at home). Let the mixture cook for a minute, then add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour the caramel over 200g of popcorn, then mix to season them evenly. Spread them on parchment paper and let them cool.
The caramel will make the popcorn sticky, so they will tend to clump together in a single block. When they have cooled, gently separate them with your fingers
Step 2. Season the popcorn with butter and honey
Melt 55 g of butter, then add 90 g of honey and half a teaspoon of salt. Make 100 g of popcorn and sprinkle them with the still hot mixture. Stir to season them evenly.
Step 3. Season the popcorn with butter, sugar, salt and cinnamon
Make 100g of popcorn and toss with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of melted butter. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and mix to season them evenly.
You can substitute cinnamon for another spice of your choice or mix several. Options include ginger, nutmeg, and cloves
Step 4. Try a perfect combination for winter evenings with mint and chocolate
Make 100g of popcorn and sprinkle with 60g of chopped mint candies. Melt 200 g of white chocolate chips, then pour it over the popcorn. Stir to distribute the ingredients, then spread the popcorn on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
If the popcorn sticks together, let them cool and then gently separate them with your hands
Step 5. Make an extra mouthwatering combination with peanut butter and M & Ms
Bring 225g sugar and 350g honey to a boil over medium heat. Let them cook for 5 minutes, then add 250 g of peanut butter. Stir and pour the popcorn directly into the pot, finally add the chopped M & Ms.
- You can also add crumbled pretzels to add a crunchy note to the popcorn.
- The amount of pretzels and M & Ms depends on your taste. For a pound of popcorn, a handful of both should suffice.
Step 6. Try a tropical blend with coconut, dehydrated pineapple and powdered sugar
Toast 120 g of coconut flakes in the oven for 10 minutes at 175 ° C. Make 130 g of popcorn and toss with 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of melted butter. Add the coconut, 200 g of dehydrated pineapple and 3 tablespoons (24 g) of powdered sugar. Stir the popcorn to mix all the toppings well.
- Sprinkle the coconut into the pan for even toasting.
- Usually the dehydrated pineapple is already cut into small pieces. If not, chop it evenly before pouring it over the popcorn.
- If the popcorn seems too sweet to you, you can add a pinch of salt.
Step 7. Make the popcorn extra crunchy
Make a pound of popcorn and toss with 90 g of melted butter. Add 100g of cinnamon-flavored crunchy cereal, 75g of sugar, one teaspoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Stir the popcorn to distribute the toppings.
If you can't find cinnamon flavored cereals, you can use chocolate, honey, or crumbled cookies
Step 8. If you want to make popcorn really irresistible, use a mix of marshmallows, chocolate and pecans
Make 130 g of popcorn and toss with 75 ml of melted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons of salt. Add 100g of mini marshmallows, 350g of chocolate chips and 200g of toasted pecans. Finally, heat the popcorn in the oven at 175 ° C for 2 minutes.
- Spread the popcorn around the pan to create a thin, even layer. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
- Let the popcorn cool and harden. If they come together to form a single block, break it into small pieces before serving.
- You can substitute pecans with your favorite dried fruit or crumbled cookies.
Advice
- Experiment to find out which combination of flavors you like best. Be creative and don't be afraid to try new combinations.
- You can vary the quantity of ingredients according to your personal tastes.
- You can microwave popcorn or use plain corn kernels and pop them in the pan. If you use prepackaged ones that are prepared in the microwave, choose them without butter and without salt.
- If you're pan-frying popcorn, you can try replacing the oil with bacon fat or another fat of your choice. The important thing is that it has a high smoke point.
- Try using a flavored oil if you add it to cooking popcorn.
