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Give your usual popcorn a sweet and salty twist using this super easy and budget-friendly recipe. You will only need a couple of minutes and 3 ingredients to make this deliciously addicting sweet and salty popcorn flavoring. It’s so worth the minimal effort for the perfect movie-night or game day snack.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love The Best Homemade Sweet and Salty Popcorn Recipe!
There’s lots of yummy ways to flavor popcorn, from plain vegan butter to rich caramel. But for the perfect medium of sweet-and-salty, you’ll want to try this light but flavorful sweet and salty popcorn recipe! The recipe is so quick and easy. It isn’t soggy or full of additives, like microwave popcorn can be, or even the pre-mixed flavor packets. Even better, it uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home, to be gloriously budget-friendly!
So cue up the movie, invite friends over (or make it a book club or craft night, instead!), and get this popcorn popping. Or honestly, maybe don’t invite the friends over because the amazingly salted caramel flavor of this popcorn may have you hogging the bowl to yourself! And you totally can, with this relatively guilt-free snack option!
And if you need another way to switch up your popcorn, try my Chai Popcorn and the other flavor variations I share on that recipe!
Ingredients Needed
- Popcorn kernels: Make sure you are using plain, unflavored popcorn kernels. If it comes with a flavor packet, see if you can use that another way.
- Vegan butter: If you can’t find unsalted vegan butter, salted will suffice. Simply reduce or omit the salt in the ingredients if you don’t want your snack to be very salty.
- Agave syrup: This gives the popcorn that sticky sweetness! You can also use maple syrup or date syrup as alternatives.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and gives the popcorn just the right amount of saltiness.
How to Make Sweet and Salty Popcorn
Step 1: First, pop the corn kernels. You may use an air popper or a microwave. Follow machine instructions if using an air popper. If using a microwave, pop ¼ cup of kernels in a paper bag over high heat with the ends closed. Cook the remaining kernels in the same manner.
Step 2: Next, make the flavoring mixture. First, place vegan butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add agave syrup and salt.
Step 3: Then, coat your popcorn. Get a large mixing bowl and combine all of the ingredients. Toss to make sure the popcorn is thoroughly coated with the mixture. Finally, serve while still warm and enjoy!
Toni’s Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Let steam escape. If you are cooking a popcorn bag in the microwave, make a small opening first to let the hot steam escape before totally opening it to be safe from burns.
- Know your microwave. It’s important to be familiar with your microwave’s settings, as they may differ from those given in the recipe. To know when the popcorn is done, I recommend listening to the pop. They should gradually die down.
- Fluffier popcorn trick. Place a cup of water in your microwave before popping in the bag for a fluffier popcorn result. Try it!
- Use butter to think sauce: If your sweetener is too thick, add more melted vegan butter to thin it out.
- Taste test the sauce: Taste your flavoring mixture with a piece of popcorn before tossing all of them together. Sometimes I think that it may be too sweet or salty, but remember that the type of popcorn chosen will affect the intensity of flavors.
Add-ins and Variations
Feel free to be creative and experiment with your favorite additions or substitutions.
- Vegan Dark Chocolate syrup: Instead of agave, try swapping it with vegan chocolate syrup to make a (vegan) chocolatey popcorn!
- Nuts: Mix in chopped roasted peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews for more flavor and texture.
- Spice: If you are not yet satisfied with just sweet and salty, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne powder to give the popcorn a nice kick!
Storage Instructions
This homemade popcorn is best served off the popper or microwave while still warm and crunchy! It is better to make just enough flavoring mixture to use in one sitting, as it is easy to make anyways. In case you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight jar or sealable plastic/stasher bag for up to 3-5 days.
FAQs for Sweet and Salty Popcorn
Because you are cooking the kernels at a high temperature, moisture is created inside the kernels, which eventually transforms into steam. If the bag or popper isn’t sufficiently ventilated, the moisture will build up inside, making the popcorn soggy.
Have a bowl full of un-popped kernels? Don’t throw them out. Re-microwave them by tossing them in a paper bag. Cook them for a shorter period of time.
Yes, you certainly can. Use a large pot with a lid and a small amount of oil and kernels to cook over high heat. This will absolutely work.
The best way to do it is by warming them in the oven so the moisture dries out. Spread them evenly in a single layer on a baking sheet and heat at 250°F for 3-5 minutes or until you are satisfied with the crunchiness.
Love Snacking? Try These Vegan Snacks
Vegan Breakfasts
Baked Apple Chips
Vegan Appetizers
Crispy Baked Kale Chips [+ Air Fryer Method]
Vegan Appetizers
Rosemary Candied Walnuts
Vegan Appetizers
Vegan Cheesy Zucchini Chips
If you tried this sweet and salty popcorn recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
If you’re loving my recipes and would like a more comprehensive resource, check out my cookbooks!
Sweet and Salty Popcorn
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & get this sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Ingredients
- ½ cup of popcorn kernels
- 2 Tablespoons of vegan butter
- 2 Tablespoons of agave syrup
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Pop kernels using an air popper or microwave.
- While popcorn is popping, melt vegan butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in agave syrup and salt.
- Toss popped corn with the agave-butter mixture to coat.
- Enjoy immediately.
Notes
-
Let steam escape. If you are cooking a popcorn bag in the microwave, make a small opening first to let the hot steam escape before totally opening it to be safe from burns.
-
Know your microwave. It’s important to be familiar with your microwave’s settings, as they may differ from those given in the recipe. To know when the popcorn is done, I recommend listening to the pop. They should gradually die down.
-
Fluffier popcorn trick. Place a cup of water in your microwave before popping in the bag for a fluffier popcorn result. Try it!
-
Use butter to think sauce: If your sweetener is too thick, add more melted vegan butter to thin it out.
-
Taste test the sauce: Taste your flavoring mixture with a piece of popcorn before tossing all of them together. Sometimes I think that it may be too sweet or salty, but remember that the type of popcorn chosen will affect the intensity of flavors.
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Amazing! So simple delicious and much healthier than shop bought! Thank you for this:-)
So much better than store-bought! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Easy, simple, & delish!😁
Agreed! Such a fun snack too!