Some things just go together, like peanut butter and jelly or popcorn and movies. Movie popcorn is slathered in butter and salt, but isn’t that what makes it taste so good? Everyone seems to know that plain popcorn is a healthy, low-calorie snack. Few people care to eat it plain. Here are some ways to add flavor and zest to popcorn.
Popcorn Toppings
Without a doubt the most common seasoning for homemade popcorn is plain butter and salt. There are easy alternative toppings that avoid the fat of the butter and the healthy risks of too much salt. Add the dry toppings to microwave popcorn in the bag or to pan-popped corn transferred to a paper bag. Shake the mixes up thoroughly to spread the toppings throughout the bag.
- Nacho Cheese Popcorn Add these ingredients: 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper to taste.
- Simply Sweetened Popcorn Add 3 rounded teaspoons of powdered white sugar.
- Apres Ski Popcorn Powdered hot chocolate drink mixes can be sprinkled straight onto the popcorn. Use one individual envelope or 2 tablespoons from a can.
- Aztec Chili Popcorn Add ?2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
- Holiday Spiced Popcorn Add 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
- Hickory Smoked BBQ Add 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoons hickory smoked salt, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Chai Tea Popcorn Add one packet or 2 tablespoons powdered Chai tea mix
Popcorn Trail Mixes
A trail mix is any kind of bagged small treats that can be easily eaten with fingers. Mix-in ingredients are nuts, bits of chocolate, marshmallows, chips, or crackers. Here are some great combinations of ingredients that mix well with popcorn.
- Taste of Autumn 2 cups popped popcorn, 1/2 cup dried apple slices, 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup almonds, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and?1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- MaxiCrunch Popcorn 2 cups popped popcorn, 2 cups cheese mini ritz crackers,?2 cans potato sticks, 1 cup unsalted mixed nuts, 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper, 1 teaspoon dried dill weed, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Five-Spice Popcorn 2 cups popped popcorn, 1 cup Chow Mein noodles, 1/2 cup peanuts, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon sesame salt or salt, ,1/2 teaspoon ground ginger?1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/8 teaspoon sugar
- Crunchola Trail Mix 2 cups popped popcorn, 2 cups whole grain oat cereal, 1/3 cup raisins, 1/3 cup peanuts (or other nuts), 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
Popcorn seasonings, toppings, and mix-ins are great ways to enhance the appeal of plain popcorn. Homemade flavorings also help to ensure that popcorn remains a low-calorie, healthy snack. Far from being a bland, everyday nibble, enhanced popcorn can become a gourmet indulgence.
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