This Quick & Easy Spicy Garlic Parmesan Popcorn recipe is a tasty low-calorie treat that's ready in just a few minutes on the stovetop.
How to make this recipe
- Cook the popping corn in a large pot.
- Mix together the spices.
- Drizzle melted butter over the popcorn, top with spices and toss to coat.
- Grate parmesan cheese over top and serve!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Popcorn kernels – any type of popping corn will do.
- Oil – use any type of neutral oil such as canola, vegetable, or avocado.
- Chili powder – cumin or cayenne pepper both work as great substitutes. Chili flakes may not stick as well to the popcorn as chili powder would, but chili flakes can still be used as a substitution.
- Paprika – both smoked paprika and basic paprika will work. You can also use additional cayenne or chili powder as an alternative.
- Garlic powder – Garlic flakes or garlic salt can both work too. If only fresh garlic cloves are accessible to you, you can also infuse the melted butter with garlic cloves to ensure the garlic flavour is present.
- Rosemary – dried thyme, sage, or oregano can also work as tasty substitutes.
- Cayenne pepper – ground red pepper or red chili pepper can both be used in place of cayenne pepper.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
- Melted butter – melted margarine can also be used, as well as melted coconut oil. Coconut oil will add a hint of a different favour than butter, but will work just as well.
- Parmesan cheese – nutritional yeast is a fantastic substitute for parmesan.
How to make garlic parmesan popcorn seasoning
To make this spicy and low-calorie popcorn seasoning, mix together two tablespoons of chili powder, one tablespoon of paprika, one tablespoon of garlic powder, two teaspoons of rosemary, one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of pepper and a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper. I like grating fresh parmesan overtop, but you could also substitute the parmesan for nutritional yeast.
Other popcorn seasoning ideas
If you're looking for something a little more sweet, try…
- Cinnamon sugar – 2 tbsp brown or white sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Hot chocolate – 1 tbsp cocoa powder + 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- Lemon thyme – lemon zest (of one lemon) + 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1/2 tbsp ground thyme
If you're looking for more savoury flavours, try…
- BBQ – 2 tbsp smoked paprika + 2 tsp garlic powder + 2 tsp brown sugar + a pinch of salt
- Everything bagel – 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning + 1/2 tsp garlic powder + a pinch of salt
- Dill pickle – 1 tbsp dried dill + 1 tbsp onion powder + 1/2 tbsp mustard powder + 1 tbsp garlic powder
- Coconut curry -1/4 cup of shredded coconut + 1 tbsp curry powder + 1 tsp ginger powder (works great especially with coconut oil!)
Don't be afraid to play with this recipe and add the spices you love. To use these seasonings, you can follow the provided instructions then simply swap out the “spice mix” ingredients for the ones given above!
Storing and reheating
To store your popped popcorn, place it in an airtight container, like a popcorn tin or a container with a sealable lid, once it has cooled completely. The best way to do this is to store it unseasoned. Storing your popcorn without the butter or spices will allow it to stay fresh and fluffy for longer, otherwise it may become chewy quicker.
Unseasoned popcorn can be kept for up to 2 weeks, if stored in an airtight container. When your popcorn is ready to be eaten, you can then add your melted butter with your seasoning and enjoy! The popcorn kernels can't be reheated once they're popped, but the melted butter overtop makes it the perfect temperature.
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More healthy snack recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- These Reusable silicone food bags are perfect for reducing plastic waste
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls to store your leftover popcorn in
Garlic Parmesan Popcorn {Quick & Easy}
Ingredients
- Enough popcorn kernels to cover bottom of pot in one layer about 1/4 cup
- Enough vegetable/canola oil to cover bottom of pot in one thin layer about 1-2 tbsp
Spice mix
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Popcorn topping
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In large pot (make sure it comes with a fitted lid!), add 1-2 tbsp olive oil (you will have to eye-ball it) and add popping corn.
- Cook covered on med-high heat, shaking pot often as popcorn starts to pop. Check on it every once in a while to make sure it isn't burning. You should be able to tell that it's done because the whole pot will be filled with fluffy white kernels!
- Mix together spice mix, and drizzle melted butter over hot popcorn. Put on your desired amount of the spice mix (I used almost all of it) and toss popcorn to make sure seasoning is even.
- Grate parmesan cheese directly on popcorn and toss to coat.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
Popcorn is my favorite snack! Love this flavor combo!!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Kathryn! Let me know if you give it a try!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
What a yummy recipe! We always pop our own popcorn, but we never spice it up. I think its time to change that! This looks delicious!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks so much Michelle! I was seriously surprised how simple this was!