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Making homemade popcorn seasoning is so much easier than you would think. Today I’m showing you how to make 7 of our favorite popcorn flavors, from herby ranch to cinnamon sugar! These seasonings have been munched down on in thousands of kitchens since I first published this recipe years ago – yours next?
save this recipe!The day I learned that popcorn is a whole grain was a pretty big day. Suddenly my favorite mindless-munching snack was a wholesome one, and let’s just say I ate a lot of popcorn after that discovery.
But while many store bought flavored popcorns are loaded with butter and sugar, you can make your own homemade popcorn seasoning at home that’s healthier (and cheaper!) than the store bought stuff.
The Perfect Gift
I love making a big batch of popcorn seasoning to use as an edible holiday gift! Simply scale your favorite flavor up as much as you need, then store it in an airtight container (like a mason jar). These popcorn seasonings can be stored for up to 3 months.
Reader rating
“My adult grandchildren always look forward to the different flavours of popcorn I’ll bring to a game or other event. Sara, these top their choices, especially the Mexican Chocolate and Taco.” —Vivian
Savory Popcorn Recipes
Ranch Popcorn Seasoning: ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried chives, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
Dorito Popcorn Seasoning: 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp salt
Taco Popcorn Seasoning: 1 Tbsp taco seasoning, 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Coconut Curry Popcorn Seasoning: 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, ½ tsp curry powder, ¼ tsp salt
Sweet Popcorn Recipes
Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning: 2 Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt
Gingerbread Popcorn Seasoning: 1 ½ Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cloves
Mexican Chocolate Popcorn Seasoning: 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt, pinch of cayenne pepper
Make It Stick
There are a few ways to make the seasonings really stick to the popcorn. I always like to spray the popcorn lightly with either flavorless or olive oil. Simply spray or drizzle the oil over the popcorn and toss to coat the whole batch. Then sprinkle on your seasoning and toss once more for evenly coated popcorn.
Another way to ensure your seasonings stick is to swap out regular sugar for powdered sugar in the sweet recipes. This light sugar will coat each kernel without all sinking to the bottom. Ready to get popping?
7 Easy Homemade Popcorn Seasonings
Ingredients
Pick a Seasoning
- Ranch: ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried chives, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
- Cinnamon Sugar: 2 Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt
- Gingerbread: 1 ½ Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cloves
- Coconut Curry: ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, ½ tsp curry powder, ¼ tsp salt
- Dorito: 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp salt
- Mexican Chocolate: 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder,1 Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt, pinch of cayenne pepper
- Taco: 1 Tbsp taco seasoning, 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Base
- 4 cups popped popcorn
- 1 tsp oil, 5 mL
Instructions
- Mix: In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for your seasoning of choice.
- Pop: Prepare popcorn in either the microwave or traditionally on the stove. Spray or drizzle oil onto popcorn, tossing to evenly coat.
- Serve: Sprinkle seasoning over popcorn and toss to coat once more. Serve warm.
Notes
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
Both me and my aunt are popcornaholics. It is her birthday and I quadrupled all seven of these recipes and put them in jam jars with nice labels for her. Every single one came out AMAZING. My whole family is currently eating the cinnamon sugar. So glad I made enough to have extra for us!!!
SUCH an awesome gift idea, Aja! 😀
hi sharah my name is olivia and i wanted to say hi and thanks for sharing this post
HELLO Sarah
I am down here in South America (Brazil). I love you popcorn recipes
My family too
Thanks a lot for sharing your gifts
Tropicaliano.
So happy to hear it! Enjoy! 😀
The popcorn was delicious! I tried the Dorito one and it was the most scrumptious thing I had ever tasted!
YAY! So happy to hear it, Sophie! 😀
My husband and I are obsessed with popcorn and have been trying these recipes the past week. All have been awesome. I think the ranch might be our favorite. Can’t wait to try the couple we haven’t had yet. Thanks for the recipes!
I had a go at the Mexican flavour. I would never have thought of mixing these ingredients but found them really nice. I hunted for cayenne pepper in my cupboard however I had to substitute with a 1 cal chilli spray which helped the ingredients stick to the popcorn…. But is currently burning my tongue 😂…. Thanks, I’ll hava a go at the other recipes after doing a little shopping.
These sound like a great gift for friends and neighbors. Do they save well? Like could I mix up a batch, put them in little glass jars and give them as gifts or do they need to be used right away? Thank you!
Yep you definitely could! 😀 Happy holidays!
Just came across your site and very impressed with it. I haven’t tried anything out yet however I have a feeling anything you post will be good. Will try popcorn tomorrow , .
I am looking forward to trying these recipes. I am so tired of the same old no flavored popcorn. Thank you
There all very tasty…giving popcorn a little lift from the basic butter and salt…thanks