You guys, I am sooooo excited to share these popcorn recipes!!!
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Like pizza, popcorn is one of those foods I just love to get crazy creative with. It’s a blank slate that just begs to be drizzled, flecked and tossed with all manner of deliciousness. I will often make a big bowl of popcorn to snack on right when I get home from work to fuel evening dinner prep. Here are some of my favorite flavor combinations:
- Brown Butter + Rosemary + Lemon Zest
- Sriracha + Butter + Lime Zest
- Olive Oil + Nutritional Yeast + Cumin + Garlic
- Cotija Cheese + Lime Zest + Butter + Cilantro + Chile Powder
- Truffle Oil + Pecorino Cheese + Black Pepper + Truffle Salt
To make popcorn on the stove top, simply combine 2 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 cup of corn kernels and a pinch of kosher salt in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook covered until the kernels pop, shaking occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, and dump popcorn into a large bowl. This will result in the 8 cups of hot popcorn needed for each recipe below. Continue reading for more details.
Rosemary Brown Butter Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 8 cups hot popcorn
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Warm butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. The butter will melt, then foam and bubble, then start to brown. You will notice little brown bits forming at the bottom of the pan. Stir frequently during this process and keep your attention on the pot. The butter can go from wonderfully brown to burnt in just a few moments. You will know the butter is done when it gives off a nutty aroma and turns a golden brown (about 5 minutes). Stir in the rosemary and lemon zest, then pour over hot popcorn while tossing. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Sriracha Lime Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha (garlic chile sauce)
- 3/4 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
- 8 cups hot popcorn
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Whisk together butter, Sriracha, lime zest and lime juice in a small bowl, and set aside. Add hot popcorn to a large bowl, and drizzle with Sriracha butter while tossing. Season to taste with kosher salt.
- This variation is more on the wet side (think buffalo popcorn), so it’s best enjoyed immediately.
Happy Vegan Popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 cups hot popcorn
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Mix nutritional yeast, garlic powder, cumin, salt, sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl, and set aside. Add hot popcorn to a large bowl, and drizzle with olive oil while tossing. Top with yeast-spice blend (not all of it will be used). Season to taste with kosher salt.
Mexican Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- Zest of 2 limes
- 8 cups hot popcorn
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Ground ancho chile, for sprinkling
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Mix cotija and lime zest in a small bowl, and set aside. Add hot popcorn to a large bowl, and drizzle with melted butter while tossing. Top with cotjia cheese, chopped cilantro and sprinkling of ground ancho chile. Season to taste with kosher salt.
Truffle Pecorino Popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons truffle oil
- 8 cups hot popcorn
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino cheese
- Truffle salt or kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together butter and truffle oil in a small bowl, then drizzle over hot popcorn while tossing. Top with grated Pecorino cheese. Season to taste with truffle salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Katrina says
Gah! I am just as excited about this popcorn! It’s my favorite snack – they are so many ways to dress it up! My fav one here has got to be that sriracha lime flavour. Holy creative!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Katrina!! What’s your favorite way to prepare popcorn?
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
They all look amazing! I love doing a combo of nutritional yeast with cayenne and pinch of sugar and salt on popcorn but I want to try your happy vegan version with the cumin and other spices. And want to try all of these! I love popcorn!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie! I’ve been loving nutritional yeast recently. Great over roasted vegetables.
Jeff the Chef says
One of my best friends swears by nutritional yeast on his corn. I’ve never gotten into fancy popcorn, but I have to day, some of these recipes sound really interesting.
Brandon Matzek says
Ooooo, I need to try that! With chile and lime 🙂
Roshni Parwani says
These flavors sound hell amazing , I am surely gonna try a few… Btw , ur page is beautiful?
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Roshni!
Platter Talk says
Popcorn is unusually popular, here in Wisconsin. We love your unique spine on the many versions and ideas presented here in this post! Great site and we are happy to have found you!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much and welcome!!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Now the hard part is to decide which one to start with! Because I want to gobble them all up! So creative, Brandon. And perfect snacks for game day (you know, if I cared at all about football :-)).
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Liz :)!!
sippitysup says
Cotija Cheese + Lime Zest + Butter + Cilantro + Chile Powder is just like my favorite grilled corn combination. I’m sure it wins when popped too. GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!! That was the inspiration. One of my favorite Mexican street snacks.
Sophia @Veggies Don't Bite says
I’m dying! I want them all!!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks!
Michele hall says
Now to decide which combo to make first….although I’m pretty sure the Sirahcha is going to win! LOVE these non traditional ideas
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Michele! It’s hard for me to pick favorites, so I can’t tell you which one to make first :P!
Amber | Quite Good Food says
I need sriracha popcorn in my life, stat! What a great idea!
Brandon Matzek says
For reals!!! Thanks Amber.
Valentina says
Love fun popcorn flavorings. Such a fun and tasty post!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Valentina!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
Such delicious flavour combinations. I especially like the one with cilantro. Oh, and the photos are amazing!
I love making my popcorn with coconut oil. I find it makes the popcorn less “oily”
Brandon Matzek says
YES!! That one is so tasty 🙂 Thanks Julia!
Tara | Deliciously Declassified says
Yum! I love popcorn – and also love that it’s so good for you. These flavors are like none I’ve ever had before – can’t wait to try them out!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Tara! Yeah, and I tried to keep the fat/cheese to a minimum to keep calories down. Just enough to make each version really satisfying 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Instead of pizza night, I’m thinking my daughter and I need a Popcorn night where we make and try ALL these flavors at once! I adore popcorn – and seeing Mexican Popcorn and Truffle Pecorino Popcorn just blows my mind! Fabulous!
Brandon Matzek says
SUCH a great idea Shashi! And then perhaps a watch a fun movie afterwards :)? Thanks!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says
You had me at sriracha lime!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s a tasty one!
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
They all sound wonderful, very innovative.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Charla!
Kathy Hester says
Now I need to pop up all the popcorn in the house to try all your awesome flavors!!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha, do it!!! Thanks Kathy.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Popcorn is my favourite snack ever! I’ve always got it in the house, but often want to change it up with different flavours. Loving all of these, that Mexican one is calling my name!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s SUCH a good snack. Quick, easy and delicious 🙂 Thanks Annie!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
Wow! THey all sound good (minus the cilantro) but the truffle pecorino has my heart!
Brandon Matzek says
I had a feeling that Mexican popcorn might offend some cilantro-haters 😉 Green onion might be a good substitution. Thanks!
Renee says
I’m drooling over the brown butter rosemary version! One of my favorite kitchen appliances is my air popcorn popper. It’s the only unitasker gadget I have in my kitchen and I wouldn’t give it up for anything!
Brandon Matzek says
Oh wow! I need to check out the popcorn popper (given how much popcorn I make :P). Thanks for the suggestion!
Claudia | Gourmet Project says
I already know Brown Butter + Rosemary + Lemon Zest will be my favorite, but I will try them all for sure!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s a tasty one! Thanks Claudia 🙂
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
I am seriously obsessed with popcorn – like seriously if it comes in a full bucket at the movie theater I will eat the WHOLE thing. Byut I’ve NEVER made flavored popcorn. Starting with this one first: Olive Oil + Nutritional Yeast + Cumin + Garlic!!
Brandon Matzek says
I too love popcorn at a movie theatre. So addictive. At home, I love to get creative with the flavors.
Levan says
I’m used to two flavors of popcorn – but FIVE?! AMAZING!!!! The more the merrier! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Haha yes!! Something for everyone. Thanks Levan.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks – you’ve got some great options here that I’m dying to try!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s one of my favs too!! Thanks Kathryn 🙂
Natasha Martin says
Holy wowza!
Thank you so much for posting such a thorough and wonderful article! Soo many crazy, interesting, and delicious ideas! Watch out, Darling family! I know what kind of danger I´m going to be getting myself into tonight… I really like the Mexican popcorn idea. Perhaps I will make too much and my neighbors will finally like me. Or who knows.
Thank you again, and keep up the great work!
Natasha
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks Natasha :)!