Easy Honey Popcorn Recipe (Sweet & Salty Snack)

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Ingredients Needed

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(Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below)

• Fresh popped popcorn
• Butter
• Honey
• Sea salt (coarse ground)

Ingredient Notes

Popcorn – Begin with about 6 cups of freshly popped popcorn. I use my Micro Pop kettle to make popcorn in the microwave because it’s quick, easy, and can even go in the top rack of the dishwasher after use.

Of course, you can make popcorn the traditional way in a saucepan with a little oil or butter. Place a lid on and shake gently over medium heat until the popping stops.

You can also use microwave popcorn (plain flavors are best)— I personally prefer the standard Orville Redenbacher Non-GMO.

Honey – Any type of honey will work for this recipe, as different varieties offer slightly different flavors.

I usually opt for pure raw honey, even though heating it may reduce some of its raw benefits. I simply prefer using honey that’s as natural as possible.

How to Make Honey Popcorn

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1. Pop your popcorn using your preferred method — stovetop, microwave, or popcorn kettle. You’ll need about 6 cups of fresh popcorn.

My 3-quart Micro Pop popcorn maker produces that amount when filled to the measuring line. Transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl.

2. In a small saucepan, combine the honey and butter. Heat over low-medium heat until fully melted and blended into a smooth sauce.

3. Drizzle the honey-butter mixture over the popcorn and gently stir to coat evenly.

4. Spread the coated popcorn onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt.

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5. Place the baking sheet into a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove and stir at the halfway mark (5 minutes), then return to the oven for the remaining 5 minutes.

6. Remove from the oven and allow the popcorn to cool for about 10 minutes before eating.

Helpful Tips for Success

• This recipe works best on days with lower humidity. Rainy or humid days can cause the honey coating to stay stickier or take longer to set.
• This popcorn has a slightly heavier coating than traditional kettle corn. If you find it too sweet, try using more popcorn instead of less honey.
• Let the popcorn cool completely before serving for the best texture.

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, it’s easy to customize it depending on your mood or what you have on hand.

Cinnamon Honey Popcorn – Stir ½ to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the honey-butter mixture before drizzling it over the popcorn. This version is especially cozy during the fall and holiday season.

Spicy Honey Popcorn – For a sweet-and-spicy twist, add a small pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the honey mixture. Start light — a little heat goes a long way.

Chocolate-Drizzled Honey Popcorn – Once the popcorn has cooled completely, drizzle melted dark or semi-sweet chocolate over the top and allow it to set before serving.

Nutty Honey Popcorn – Sprinkle chopped roasted nuts such as almonds, pecans, or peanuts over the popcorn before baking for added crunch.

Storage Tips

Honey popcorn is best enjoyed fresh, but these tips will help keep it crisp longer. Though I prefer a fresh batch made just before serving.

• Best eaten the same day for the crunchiest texture.
• Short-term storage: Loosely cover and store at room temperature for up to 6–8 hours.
• Do not refrigerate, since refrigeration adds moisture and softens the popcorn.
• To re-crisp: Spread popcorn on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, then cool again.

FAQs

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Whether you are making this for a cozy night at home or sharing with friends, this sweet salty snack is hard to resist. You only need a few simple – inexpensive ingredients to create a fun homemade treat. Scroll down for the full recipe card to get started.