Jazz Up Your Popcorn

By UBCO Food Services Staff

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Need a quick snack? Air-popped popcorn, which is high in fiber and whole grains, is a great choice. But if you're getting bored of the usual butter-and-salt options, we've got eight easy recipes to make your homemade popcorn POP!

How to make stove-top popcorn

• Set a large pot over medium heat and add the amount of oil stipulated in the recipe below.
• Place 3 popcorn kernels in the oil. When the first kernel pops, add the remaining kernels and mix so they are all evenly coated in oil, then and cover.
• Remove from the heat for 15-20 seconds, then return to the heat and shake every 1-2 minutes.
• Once the popping slows and there are a few seconds between pops, pour the popcorn into a large bowl.

How to make your own microwave popcorn

• See our simple recipe here

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1. Parmesan & Black Pepper

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp black pepper
• salt to taste

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and pepper. Drizzle over the popcorn and stir to combine. Sprinkle in the parmesan cheese, tossing as you go, and add salt to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• Baked kale chips
• ¼ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp Italian seasoning or dried basil

2. Nutritional Yeast & Sea Salt

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. In a separate container, mix the nutritional yeast and sea salt, then pour over the popcorn and mix well. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• Crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp taco seasoning
• ¼ tsp each of garlic and chili powder
• Cracked black pepper

3. Rosemary & Brown Butter

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary leaves
• 2 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. Over medium-high heat, melt the butter and cook until it is brown, shaking the pan occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat, add the rosemary to the butter and pour the butter mixture over the popcorn.
3. Add salt and toss well. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• 1 tbsp grated lemon zest
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

4. Toasted Coconut & Curry

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
• 1 tbsp curry powder (any variety!)
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. Spread the coconut in small frying pan and toast until golden brown. Add curry powder and salt and mix well.
3. Sprinkle over popcorn. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• ½ tsp brown sugar added to coconut while frying
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• Lime zest

5. Honey & Thyme

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. Combine the honey, butter, and thyme, and pour over the finished popcorn, shaking or stirring with a large spoon to coat.
3. Add salt and white pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Finely chopped walnuts

6. Garlic & Dill

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp butter melted
• 1 tsp dried dill weed
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. In a bowl combine parmesan cheese, dill, garlic and salt, and sprinkle over popcorn. Mix well.
3. Serve warm and enjoy!

7. Jalapeno Popper

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 3 strips of bacon, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, stem removed and diced
• ¼ cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
3. Pan-fry bacon until crispy, and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Brush the baking sheet with some of the bacon drippings, add the diced jalapeno, and and bake for several minutes, until jalapenos have softened.
5. Add the cooked jalapeno, diced bacon and any remaining drippings to the popcorn and stir to combine.
6. Pour everything back onto the baking sheet, sprinkle with the cheese, and bake popcorn for 5-10 minutes.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• ¼ tsp paprika
• Use pre-crumbled bacon instead of making your own

8. Cinnamon Toast

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 1 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

• Make the popcorn as per the instructions above.
• Cook butter in a small skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes or until browned and fragrant.
• Stir in salt and vanilla extract. Drizzle mixture over popcorn, toss well to coat.
• Combine sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over popcorn, and toss well. Serve warm and enjoy!

Experiment with flavours by adding one of these extra ingredients:

• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• Crumbled Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
• Candied nuts