BBQ popcorn is a quick and delicious snack. Super easy to make popcorn, flavored with a super tasty and easy to make BBQ flavoring. This is a real crowd favorite, ready is only a couple of minutes. Stores well for a ready to eat snack at any time.
BBQ Popcorn
BBQ popcorn is a super tasty snack. So much better than popcorn that comes in packets at the supermarket. Divide the BBQ popcorn up to make a great snack for taking to work or for school. The BBQ flavoring adds a different taste to common butter or lightly salted popcorn.
This popcorn recipe is very is suitable for a wide range of dietary requirements. Making it great for parties. It is dairy-free as well as both vegetarian and vegan friendly.
BBQ Flavoring
The smoked paprika gives this flavoring a nice smokey flavor which is quite essential for the BBQ style taste. This along with flavors often found in BBQ rubs from the brown sugar, salt, onion powder and garlic powder is what makes this BBQ flavoring. There is also some chili powder in the flavoring which adds a bit of heat. Change the amount of the chili powder to suit taste.
This BBQ flavoring only uses common pantry ingredients. The flavoring is also really easy to make, just mix all of the ingredients for the flavoring together in a bowl. Once the ingredients for the flavoring have all been mixed together, you have the option to grind it up finer. This can be done using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
If you are able to grind up the flavoring then I do strongly recommend it. If the flavoring is finer it will stick to the popcorn a lot better, resulting in a better distribution of flavor. The flavoring will still work without grinding it up though.
Using the standard recipe for the flavoring will make a bit more than 2 tbsp. I recommend starting 1 tbsp of the flavoring for 1/2 a cup of cooked popcorn kernels and adding more if desired. Make sure to toss the popcorn well to get a nice even coating.
Storing BBQ Popcorn
For best storage keep the cooked popcorn in an air tight container or zip lock bag. I like to divide the BBQ popcorn into small zip lock bags. This creates lots of ready to go snacks to take to work or school.
Properly stored popcorn is safe to eat for a couple of weeks. However it will start going stale, so it is best to eat it immediately or within a couple of days of cooking.
Store any extra BBQ flavoring in an air tight container in a cool dry place. It will last quite awhile (as long as the spices will last), so it can be made ahead of time so it is ready to go when needed.
For a basic popcorn recipe cooked on the stove see Simple Stovetop Popcorn.
BBQ Popcorn
Ingredients
BBQ Flavoring
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)
Popcorn
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 3 tbsp oil
Instructions
BBQ Flavoring
- Mix together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and chili powder in a small bowl. (Note 1)
- (optional) Grind spice mix in a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, until very fine.
Popcorn
- Heat oil in a medium sized saucepan on medium-low heat, with 3 popcorn kernels in it. Cover and wait for kernels to pop.
- Once the 3 popcorn kernels have popped, add in the rest of the popcorn kernels to the saucepan and cover.
- As the kernels are popping, periodically shake the saucepan to ensure the unpopped kernels drop to the bottom. Every now and then while cooking, slightly lift the saucepan lid away from you to release some of the steam.
- Once the rate of kernels popping drops to once every couple of seconds, after about 2 minutes, turn off the heat and empty the popcorn into a large bowl.
- Sprinkle the popcorn with 1 tablespoon of BBQ flavoring and toss to coat well.
Notes
- This will make a bit over 2 tablespoons of the flavoring
