Popcorn Toppings: 25 Delicious Recipes for Both Sweet & Savory

25 sweet and savory ideas for popcorn toppings. Let’s try unique flavors like kettle corn, salted caramel corn, or even pesto flavor popcorn!

For me, there’s nothing more fun than popping popcorn over an open fire. Fall is the perfect time to do this, whether in a fireplace or over a fire pit. But whether you’re popping inside or outside, it’s all about the popcorn toppings!

As far as toppings go, salt and butter are great, but there are so many more toppings to experiment with!

These also make a great gift for any popcorn/movie fanatic! Mix up the powdered combinations, seal them in labeled glass spice jars, and pair them with DVDs or gift cards to purchase movies.

Note: use these links to find high-quality herbs and gourmet salts for the recipes below.

How to Make 25 Delicious Popcorn Toppings

These topping recipes are simple and most can be stored if you make enough for next time. The below recipes are enough topping for 4 cups of popped corn.

Sweet Toppings

Churro

1 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute, 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Kettle Corn

2 teaspoons sugar or sugar substitute, ½ teaspoon salt

Aztec

1 teaspoon cacao, cocoa, or carob powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute, ¼ teaspoon salt

Salted Caramel

One of our favorite popcorn toppings! 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon sea salt

Pumpkin Spice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Strawberry Shortcake

1 teaspoon freeze-dried strawberries (crushed), 1 teaspoon dried milk powder (or coconut milk powder or almond milk powder), ½ teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute

Northwoods

Perhaps the most unique of our popcorn toppings. 1 teaspoon dried sumac powder, 1 teaspoon freeze-dried blueberries (crushed), 1 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute, ⅛ teaspoon smoked salt

Chocolate Mint

1 tablespoon cacao, cocoa, or carob powder, 1 teaspoon dried mint leaves, ½ teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute

Chocolate Peanut Butter

1 Tablespoon peanut butter powder, 1 teaspoon cacao, cocoa, or carob powder, ½-1 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute

Maple Bacon

1 Tablespoon bacon (cooked very crisp and crushed), 1 teaspoon maple syrup powder or brown sugar

Raspberry Truffle

1 Tablespoon freeze-dried raspberries (crushed), 1 teaspoon cacao, cocoa, or carob powder, ½ teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute

Savory Popcorn Toppings

Italian

1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (crushed)

Thai

1 teaspoon curry powder, 2 teaspoons coconut flakes

Ranch

1 Tablespoon buttermilk powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, ¼ teaspoon salt

Taco

Who wouldn’t love taco flavors for popcorn toppings? ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon celery salt

Smoked Paprika and Parsley

1 teaspoon of each paprika and parsley

Pesto

1 Tablespoon fresh chopped basil, 1 teaspoon crushed pine nuts, and a bit of olive oil to coat

Buffalo

Great for chicken wings and popcorn toppings! 2 Tablespoons hot sauce, 1 Tablespoon butter; melt hot sauce and butter together, drizzle over the top, and mix well

BBQ

1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon celery salt

Oriental

½ teaspoon ginger powder, ¼ teaspoon wasabi powder, ½ teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute, 1 teaspoon soy sauce or ponzu

Lemon Dill

1 teaspoon dried lemon peel or powdered lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried dill weed

Health Nut

Popcorn toppings for the health-conscious. 1 Tablespoon dried kale (crushed), ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt, ½ teaspoon nutritional yeast

Cilantro Lime

1 teaspoon fresh chopped cilantro, ½ teaspoon lime juice powder, ½ teaspoon salt

Everything Bagel

1 teaspoon sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or dried garlic flakes, 1 teaspoon onion powder or dried onion flakes, ½ teaspoon salt

Chili Cheese

1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast

Note: use these links to find high-quality herbs and gourmet salts for the recipes above.

Instructions for Popcorn Toppings

With all these popcorn toppings, mix the dry or fresh ingredients first, then set aside.

If the recipe calls for oil or another liquid, drizzle over the popcorn first, then mix in the dry or fresh ingredients.

If the recipe doesn’t call for a liquid, mix dry ingredients into the popcorn. For dry ingredients that tend to fall to the bottom, drizzle with a bit of butter or olive oil, then remix.

Notes

When using a sugar substitute in your popcorn toppings, remember that some of them, like stevia, are much sweeter than sugar. Begin using a smaller amount than the recipe calls for, taste, and add more if needed.

The amounts of any ingredient can be changed to suit your taste. For example, if you want more spice, add more cayenne pepper. If you’re going to tone it down, add just a bit of pepper.

If you are presenting these as gifts or selling them, remember to label the container with the ingredients, especially if it contains coconut, nuts, or peanut butter.

Do you have any unique ideas for popcorn toppings? If so, share them with us!

*******