Few things are as enjoyable as watching a movie with friends or family. Eating some popcorn is one of the best parts. Popcorn has been enjoyed for many years.
Today, people enjoy it in homes and theaters, especially if you plan an outdoor movie night.
Some people like to keep it simple, while others prefer more toppings on their popcorn to get various flavors. If you want to know about the best popcorn toppings for your next movie night, read this blog post!
Table of Contents
Our best popcorn toppings & seasoning picks
Flavacol Seasoning Popcorn
The secret component in movie theater popcorn is Flavacol. I wish I could tell you that Flavacol is only salt. However, the ingredients on the box are salt, artificial flavor, FD&C Yellow #5 Lake (E102), and FD&C Yellow #6 (E110). So the Flavacol popcorn salt has salt, artificial taste, and two color dyes.
The salt is tiny and adheres to the popcorn evenly, giving it a consistent flavor. It would be interesting to learn the artificial flavor, but whatever it is, it contributes to the popcorn’s distinctive flavor.
If you’re popping popcorn with oil, use a colored coconut popcorn oil to complete the movie theater experience. Ironically, the carrot-colored coconut oil is beneficial, depending on your point of view.
Depending on where you stand on the saturated fats debate, the colored coconut oil is good. According to new research, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and avocado are healthful saturated fats. Nutritionists from the past still think it’s harmful. As a result, you must decide if it is a poor snack, a good snack, or simply a snack.
Aside from the nutrition and nutrients, this product is taste-tester certified because you only need a small amount. What is Flavacol popcorn salt, and how do you use it? It is simple to utilize this product. When preparing 6 quarts of popcorn, mix in about 1/2 tbsp with the oil.
After it has been popped, you may add a bit more on top. Mix some Flavacol with heated coconut oil and pop it like you’re in a movie theater. Then drizzle with butter and a pinch of salt & pepper.
Morton Popcorn Super Fine Salt
Another wonderful popcorn flavoring option is Morton popcorn salt. Morton popcorn salt is ultra-fin and coats your popcorn without being too salty or clumping.
This salt may be used to sprinkle nuts or anything else with a fine coating. This ultra-fine salt is created by a well-known and well-loved company. Popcorn salt was one of nature’s best-kept secrets, but that’s no longer the case. When it comes to nuts, did you know that you can use a stovetop popcorn maker to roast almonds or even create Chex Mix?
Kernel Season’s Mini Jars Seasoning Variety Pack
Kernel Season’s popcorn flavoring was invented by a college student in 2005. The concept has taken off, and Kernel seasons are available in various tastes. You may try a range of flavors, from sweet popcorn toppings to cheese powder for popcorn, with this variety pack.
This sampler pack includes various tastes comparable to those found in popcorn seasoning gift packages. The tastes listed below are included.
- Nacho cheddar
- White cheddar
- Kettle corn
- Ranch
- Butter
- Bacon
- Caramel
- Cheesy Jalapeno
- Bacon cheddar
These spices may be used in dips, on potatoes, eggs, and whatever else you choose to explore, adding variety and flavor to your popcorn. This pack includes eight small shakers.
Kernel Season’s White Cheddar Seasoning
The white cheddar seasoning from Kernel Season will appeal to cheese enthusiasts. You’ll get the same cheesy flavor you’re used to but without the calories and fat. These spices are created with real cheddar cheese and no MSG or trans-fat.
Amish Country Ballpark Style Popcorn Flavoring and Seasoning
This Amish Country Ballpark Style Popcorn Flavoring & Seasoning is one of the more delicious popcorn seasonings we’ve encountered. It has a zero-calorie formulation free of peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten, making it ideal for folks with various allergies. We particularly liked the low cost and the fact that it came with a complimentary eBook with 15 great popcorn recipes.
Though this spice has a low-calorie count, it does include a lot of salt, so don’t use too much at once. This popcorn flavor also includes dairy in the form of dried milk. To bring the ballpark flavor into your house, you’ll need the finest non-stick pan.
Ordille Redenbacher’s Popcorn Flavoring and Seasoning Oil
This Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn Flavoring & Seasoning Oil is a delightful buttery oil with no carbohydrates, making it ideal for keto or low-carb diets.
This popcorn flavor is also sugar and trans-fat-free, as well as beta-carotene-colored, with no artificial coloring utilized during the production process. We also liked that it comes in a huge 16-ounce container with 32 servings.
This popcorn flavoring & seasoning is mostly composed of soybean oil, which may not be suitable for some allergy sufferers. We also discovered that the liquid might flow out of the spout even when closed, so proceed cautiously. All you’ll need is your favorite cookware to make guilt-free popcorn whenever you want.
Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn Butter Flavoring and Seasoning Salt
Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn Butter Flavoring and Seasoning Salt is fantastic on a variety of foods, including potatoes, soups, and stews, among other things. We liked that the formula is GMO-free, vegan, and Kosher-certified, making it suitable for various dietary constraints and that it comes in a huge 19-ounce container with 192 servings.
Even though this is a zero-calorie formulation, it is highly rich in salt, with one serving to exceed 100% of your daily sodium consumption. Furthermore, just one taste is available for purchase.
Dutchman’s Buttery Popcorn Flavoring and Seasoning Salt
With a zero-calorie formulation and an ingenious container that correctly disperses one amount at a time, Dutchman’s Buttery Popcorn Flavoring and Seasoning Salt is great on popcorn and a broad range of other items, including meat.
This container may also be used as a beautiful glass jar that can be filled with different spices later. We also liked that this is a vegan meal, which is great for animal lovers.
Though this is a calorie-free food, it does include a lot of salt, so be cautious if attempting to cut down on sodium. Furthermore, the container is on the small side, weighing in at 4,8 ounces, yet this still yields 27 servings.
More popcorn topping ideas
Popcorn is a delicious snack, but it can get boring if you eat it the same way every time. This roundup of popcorn topping ideas and recipes is here to help. From spicy to sweet, there’s something for everyone!
Buffalo ranch
A buffalo-inspired ingredient, such as cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chili powder, adds a kick that balances the cold, powerful ranch taste. I used ordinary ranch popcorn seasoning from the grocery store, but I added cayenne to irritate my mouth and dress it up.
Toasted coconut and dark chocolate
The toasted coconut counteracts the dark chocolate’s richness. Drizzle caramel on top if you want to make your own slightly healthier Samoa cookie-inspired snack. To prepare this popcorn, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake a sheet tray of shredded coconut until brown. Toss the popcorn with melted dark chocolate and toasted coconut before biting into it.
Cookies n cream
Cookies n Cream is a classic taste that may be the center of attention at any gathering. A sweet, creamy, and chocolatey snack is hard to go wrong with. Simply smash Oreo cookies, Double Stuf if available, add the bits and melted white chocolate to the popcorn, and mix everything for a delicious chocolatey snack.
Everything Bagel
A savory popcorn topping is created by combining sesame and poppy seeds with garlic and onion and adding texture. Whether you air-pop your popcorn or use pre-buttered microwave popcorn, you’ll need to drizzle melted butter on top to keep the dry seasoning from falling to the bottom of your bowl.
Butterscotch
Butterscotch is one of the best popcorn toppings since the butter in it reminds me of eating buttered popcorn, but it’s sweeter and richer thanks to the sugar and scotch. To prepare this, cover the popcorn with butterscotch chips, then top it with additional butterscotch chips to amp up the taste and provide a different texture.
Caramel apple
Caramel corn is a popular popcorn taste, but I made mine using sliced green apple and poured caramel on top before mixing everything. I used caramel ice cream topping, but you could also use melted caramel candies or make your caramel. The apple adds a nice texture variation and a sharp, acidic flavor that balances off the sweetness of the caramel.
Birthday cake
Sprinkles are a lot of fun, and the sweet vanilla essence in the popcorn is delicious. Toss gently buttered popcorn with melted white chocolate, vanilla essence, and sprinkles, and stir until thoroughly blended. This is one of my favorite popcorn toppings out of all the ones I’ve seen.
For Birthday Cake, lightly buttered or no butter popcorn is essential since the more butter the popcorn already has, the greater the savory taste.
Maple bacon
The sticky maple coating, savory bacon, and buttery popcorn mix are unbeatable. Drizzle maple syrup over buttery popped popcorn, then top with fried bacon pieces and a pinch of brown sugar. It’s so complex that you just want to eat more to get a better sense of all the tastes.
To add extra sweetness, you may create candied bacon using brown sugar.
Dark chocolate cherry
This is a tribute to my all-time favorite Dairy Queen blizzard. The elegant mix of rich dark chocolate and juicy, sweet cherry is a classic. Maraschino cherries can be made with actual cherries.
Maraschino cherries are advantageous since they already contain “liquid” and are generally less expensive than real cherries. Drizzle the cherry syrup and melted dark chocolate over the popcorn, then top with a few cherries for a cherry flavor boost.
Chili lime
This popcorn idea is ideal for those who don’t have a sweet palate but want a little spice. To make it, toss the popcorn in a mixture of butter, lime juice, cayenne, cumin, and salt. The heat will also wake you up, preventing you from falling asleep throughout the movie.
Cinnamon brown sugar
Warm cinnamon pairs well with sweet, rich brown sugar to provide a comforting, indulgent dessert. I add a little nutmeg and cloves to make it feel like Christmas in July. To make this popcorn, use as much cinnamon and brown sugar as you like.
S’mores
S’mores is a popular summer dish, so why not add its tastes into your buttery, crispy popcorn? The creamy marshmallows may be toasted over an open fire, on a gas stovetop, or even in the oven.
If you’re a marshmallow fanatic, you can even cover the popcorn with marshmallow fluff. You may put pieces of chocolate in your popcorn or melt it down and swirl it into it with crushed graham cracker bits sprinkled on top.
Goat cheese and garlic
Toss crumbled goat cheese bits and garlic powder into your heated popcorn. The goat cheese is salty and tangy, and the garlic will provide a savory touch to the dish. You may add chopped dill to your inventive popcorn toppings if you want to take it further.
Spicy cheddar
Cheese, in my opinion, goes with everything. You may use powdered cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese as a popcorn topper. Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to break up the creamy, cheesy flavor and awaken your taste receptors.
Peanut butter, marshmallow, and white chocolate
It’s impossible to go wrong with gooey peanut butter, sweet white chocolate, and crunchy micro marshmallows, so adding popcorn is a no-brainer.
Warm the peanut butter and combine it with the melted white chocolate before pouring it over the popcorn and marshmallows. While munching, you’ll get peanut butter and chocolate all over your hands, but it’ll be well worth it.
Healthier options
Popcorn is a high-fiber, low-fat, low-calorie snack. According to recent studies, popcorn is also strong in polyphenols, which are heart-healthy antioxidants. Popcorn is a terrific snack since it is satisfying while still being low in calories and healthful.
Experiment with healthy, tasty toppings to keep the calories low and the flavor high. Almost any herb or spice may be used to flavor popcorn. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Rather than using butter, use a mister to spray a little olive oil over your popcorn.
- Grate some parmesan cheese on top
- Oregano
- Basil
- Nutritional yeast
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
Combine grated dark chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon to fulfill your sweet taste. Olive oil with grated parmesan and black pepper is another tasty topping combo. Another low-calorie alternative is chili powder and a pinch of salt.
You can play around with different topping combinations until you discover one you like. Try rosemary with olive oil or parmesan and cayenne pepper. Cumin and chili powder form a spicy combo as well.
If you want healthy saturated fats, melting grass-fed butter with popcorn cooked in coconut oil is another option. Remember that whole grain popcorn still includes carbohydrates, so this won’t put you in ketosis, but it’s a tasty treat.
You don’t need to use high fat or high sodium components to create a healthy, tasty popcorn. Simply experiment with different spices and sauces until you find what works best.
Buyer’s guide for the best popcorn toppings
Flavor
Consider your ideal popcorn flavor or spice for a moment. Is it able to replicate the buttery flavor of a movie theater? Is it a sweet treat, such as kettle corn? Perhaps it’s something a little more unusual, like bacon-flavored.
Each of the flavors mentioned above and many more may be found on our list, ensuring that your taste senses are satiated.
Sodium content
Many of the flavorings and spices for popcorn listed above contain salt in some form. Those aiming to reduce sodium consumption should restrict their quantities or only eat salty foods on rare occasions.
Restrictions on diet
We made it a point to provide a range of alternatives in the above list to accommodate various dietary requirements. For that purpose, many of the flavorings and spices listed above are vegan and GMO-free.
Others have little or no calories, and many of them are devoid of common allergies, like peanuts and tree nuts. Finally, kosher certification is available for several options.
Conclusion
Don’t feel confined by this list because there are many more interesting popcorn toppings to explore. Flavor pairings are quite subjective. Don’t be afraid to tweak these flavor combinations to suit your preferences or make your own from scratch. Enjoy!
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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