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Whenever I want a punchy snack with almost no work, I throw together sweet spicy popcorn. Mixing honey and smoky spices totally changes plain popcorn, and friends always ask how I made it. You won't believe how quick it comes together either.
I once made this for a neighbor party and scribbled how-to notes on napkins for a bunch of people. Now it's the snack I always pull out when people drop by.
Tasty Ingredients
- Garlic powder: bumps up the savory flavor and adds a little depth Just make sure yours is fresh so the taste really comes through
- Kosher salt: brightens every flavor you get and keeps the sweetness balanced
- Cayenne pepper: brings that cozy bit of heat right at the end
- Smoked paprika: adds gorgeous color and a hint of smoke Spanish works great if you can get it
- Honey: makes it sweet and gets the seasonings to stick Best with bold wildflower or clover honey
- Unsalted butter: gives a creamy feel without being too salty so you can decide how much salt to add
- Popped popcorn: is your crunchy base so pop up fresh kernels for best texture
- To make this snack extra delicious pop the popcorn fresh and taste your honey first to make sure it really stands out
Simple Steps
- Coat the Popcorn:
- Pour the warm honey butter with spices over your popcorn and get stirring fast. A big spoon or spatula works. Toss it up from the bottom right away so every bit gets covered before it cools down.
- Mix Up the Honey Butter:
- Blend your honey and butter together in a small pot over low heat or zap them in the microwave. Stir until smooth, then whisk in smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Whisk out any lumps.
- Set Up the Popcorn:
- Move freshly popped popcorn into a big bowl. This way it doesn't get crushed and every kernel will get some of that good buttery spice.
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I love using sweet smoked paprika here because you get tons of flavor without too much heat. My niece wanted this every week after the first snack!
How to Store It
Let your popcorn cool totally before sealing it up in a container with a tight lid. Room temperature is perfect and it'll stay crisp for three days. If it feels a little tacky, just leave the top off for twenty minutes before munching and it’ll firm back up.
Swaps and Substitutes
No smoked paprika in the cupboard? Just use sweet paprika for less smoke or toss in chili powder for kick. Swap honey with the same amount of maple syrup or agave—the flavor will shift but it works great. If using butter that’s already salted, use less added salt than called for.
How to Serve
Dump the popcorn into a big bowl as soon as you mix it or separate it into little snack cups for sharing. Sprinkle more smoked paprika on top for some flair. If you want something different, toss it on salads for an extra crunch.
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Recipe FAQs
- → What's the trick for stopping popcorn from turning soggy with this mix?
Add the honey butter while it's hot, stir it through, then let everything cool all the way before packing it up. Seal in an airtight container so your popcorn stays crunchy.
- → Can I make this less spicy for kids or if I don't want much heat?
Yep! Just cut back or skip the cayenne. You can always bump it up again for more kick later.
- → Easiest way to get all the popcorn coated evenly?
Pour the honey butter over your popcorn in a big bowl and mix it fast before it cools. That way, every piece gets a little love.
- → How long does this popcorn stay good after making it?
Let it cool down, then stash in an airtight container on your counter. It'll keep nice and crisp for three days.
- → Can I throw this spice mix on flavored popcorn?
Plain popcorn without salt is best, but you can use lightly salted or buttered popcorn if you want more flavor going on.