Learn How to Flavour Popcorn From a Popcorn Maker

Last Updated on January 5, 2023

Everyone loves popcorn! This crowd-pleasing snack has been around for ages and is the most satiating yet straightforward nibble around.

If you’ve been to a movie theatre, you probably already know that there are many different kinds of popcorn seasoning available to choose from.

Don’t like sweet popcorn? No problem. How about butter, spices, and salt to amplify the taste of your favourite snack? Hot, air-popped corn doesn’t have to be bland, so when it’s time to enjoy man’s best snack, grab your favourite flavour and experiment with a different seasoning to add a hint of magic to every bite.

If you’re bored of the same flavour and are looking for some inspiration, here’s how to flavour popcorn from a popcorn maker!

Benefits of Popcorn

Popcorn is a whole grain, and it is high in fibre; with these characteristics, it has been found to reduce the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

Due to its high fibre content, popcorn can make you feel fuller faster without consuming many calories. It also contains polyphenols which are antioxidants that aid in blood circulation and digestive health.

If you’re conscious about your health and weight, avoid adding brown sugar, icing sugar, and golden syrup to air-popped popcorn to enjoy the benefits of a healthy filling snack.

Methods of Making Popcorn

There are two main methods of popping corn; the dry and wet methods. The dry method uses fire or hot air to pop the maize kernels, as seen with air poppers, and the wet process uses oil to distribute the heat, which results in even popping; this method is more popular.

Not all popcorn is made equal. Movie theatre popcorn, microwave popcorn, and store-bought popcorn employ various fats in their popcorn-making processes and are tossed in artificial flavours. This results in high-fat and high-sodium servings.

The best way to reap the nutritional value of popcorn is through an air popper. This popcorn maker allows you to have more control over what gets into your snack. However, it would help if you remembered that the best way to get the best results is to know how to use a popcorn maker.

Unfortunately, air-popped popcorn doesn’t get as much acclaim as its oil-based counterpart due to its failure to make the flavour stick. A sprinkle of seasoning over a fresh batch of popped kernels usually ends up at the bottom of the bowl. There are a variety of recipes that ensure a result of tasty and healthy popcorn.

Air Popcorn Machines and Other Popping Processes

Air poppers spin kernels in a hot air chamber to produce popcorn. It is still strongly recommended that you use a popcorn machine. If you don’t have a popcorn machine, then you can use the following methods:

Popping Corn in a Special Popcorn Bowl

These big bowls are designed with flexible materials to accommodate the kernels as they expand. If you aren’t a regular popper, purchasing a special bowl won’t be necessary, but preparation is in three simple steps if you’re keen on it.

First, pour your popcorn kernels into the bowl and cover them with a lid. Next, place the bowl in your microwave and set it to two to four minutes on high heat; be sure to listen for the popping sounds. Once the pops quiet down, take your bowl out of the microwave and behold your snack.

Using Cling Wrap Over a Vessel

If you don’t own a special popcorn bowl, this method will work just the same. Start by pouring your kernels into a microwave-safe vessel and then cover it with three layers of microwavable cling wrap; one layer won’t be enough because the kernels will be able to pierce through it and out of the vessel.

Next, use a fork or a skewer to poke a few holes in your cling wrap to allow steam to escape, then put your covered vessel in your microwave and set it on high heat for two to four minutes. Listen for the popping sounds, and as they decrease, prepare to remove the vessel from the microwave.

Using a Paper Bag

Popping corn in a paper bag is a suitable method, as long as the bag is big enough to give the kernels room to pop. Begin by putting your kernels in the paper bag then folding the top a few times to block the popcorn from escaping. Place the bag in the microwave for two to four minutes on high heat and let them pop away.

How to Season Your Air Popped Corn

Now the fun part; adding flavour to your popcorn and ensuring that it sticks. The key to keeping your flavouring stuck on the popcorn is using a binding ingredient; even just a tablespoon of oil, butter or honey can go a long way. Following is a selection of sweet and savoury popcorn recipes that will allow you to indulge guilt-free.

Savoury Seasonings

Herb Fusion Popcorn

To make two servings, you will need:

• 6 cups of popcorn
• Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray
• ¼ cup fresh chives
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

• Lightly spray freshly popped popcorn with the cooking spray.
• Toss the leaves of your herbs, lemon zest, and salt on your popcorn and combine.

Mexican-Inspired Popcorn

This tangy mix serves two, and the ingredients are:

• 6 cups of corn
• Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray
• 1 ½ tsp honey
• 1 ½ tbsp lime zest
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp Ancho chile powder
• ¼ tsp cumin powder
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tbsp fresh cilantro

Instructions:

• In a pot, lightly spray your freshly popped popcorn with cooking spray, drizzle with honey, and then toss.
• Add the lime zest, salt, Ancho chile powder, and cumin, and toss once more.
• Place your pot on the hob and begin making the popcorn over medium heat, stirring continuously.
• After three minutes, the popcorn should be crisp enough to place in a serving bowl, sprinkle in feta and cilantro, and enjoy while warm.

Sweet Bites

If you have a sweet tooth, these are perfect for you:

Salted Caramel Popcorn

This treat makes two portions and features a natural sugar with a low glycemic index. To make it, you will need:

• Coconut oil cooking spray
• ¼ cup raw coconut nectar Low-GI sweetener or honey
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 cups of air-popped corn

Instructions:

• Lightly spray a large, deep non-stick skillet or Dutch oven with cooking spray.
• In the skillet or Dutch oven, heat the coconut nectar, honey, and salt over medium-high until bubbles appear.
• Add the pre-cooked popcorn and coat in the salted caramel sauce.
• Best served warm.

Cinnamon Spice Popcorn

Try this recipe for sweet popcorn with a woody taste of cinnamon.

For two servings, you will need:

• 6 cups of popcorn
• 2 tbsp of butter or coconut oil (vegan butter works)
• 1 tbsp of cinnamon
• 1 tsp of salt

Instructions:

• In a bowl, combine the butter of your choice with cinnamon and salt.
• Melt the mixture in the microwave on low heat. Once melted, combine with the popcorn and serve.

Choco-Peanut Popcorn

You should def make this choco peanut butter caramel popcorn! 😍 http://t.co/pLG7K73MxI pic.twitter.com/WPKcP5LbW8

— Molly (Yes to Yolks) (@mollycreilly) May 27, 2015

This recipe is ultra-tasty and will go down well with kids and adults.

For two servings, you will need:

• 6 cups of air-popped popcorn
• 4 tbsp of roasted peanuts
• 2 tsp of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

• To your bowl of popcorn, add the roasted peanuts and mini chocolate chips.
• Combine and enjoy!
• Alternatively, you can also choose to melt down your chocolate chips and drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn and peanut mix.
• Toss in other nuts or dried fruit for new flavour combinations!

Different Popcorn Flavours for Everyone

So it’s been proven, popcorn from a popcorn maker isn’t a hopelessly bland butter snack, and there are a variety of recipes to try. Getting your nutrition never has to be boring. Now you can look forward to this healthy snack on movie nights, in the company of others, or by yourself.

So what’s your favourite popcorn seasoning? Please share your favourite recipe with us! Try a different recipe every time you make your favourite snack to know what works wonderfully and what doesn’t.