Hot Honey Butter Popcorn (Printable)

Crisp popcorn tossed in honey butter with a hint of chili spice for a flavorful snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Popcorn

01 - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Hot Honey Butter

03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 3 tablespoons honey
05 - 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha, Frank's RedHot), to taste
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add two popcorn kernels and cover.
02 - Once the test kernels pop, add the remaining popcorn kernels in an even layer. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Shake the pot occasionally until popping slows to 2–3 seconds between pops. Remove from heat and transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in honey, hot sauce, and chili flakes if using, until fully combined and warmed through.
04 - Pour the hot honey butter mixture evenly over the popcorn. Toss thoroughly to coat all kernels.
05 - Sprinkle fine sea salt over the coated popcorn and toss again. Serve immediately, adjusting seasoning or spice level as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to pop kernels, so last-minute snacking cravings are solved before they fully set in.
  • The balance of sweet, salty, and spicy means everyone finds something to love without needing multiple versions on the counter.
02 -
  • Timing is everything with popped kernels—those last few unpopped kernels at the bottom mean the heat is too high and you'll get burnt popcorn if you wait for them.
  • Coating warm popcorn works far better than trying to pour warm honey butter over cooled popcorn, because the coating actually adheres instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
03 -
  • Use a pot with a heavy bottom so heat distributes evenly and you get fewer unpopped kernels at the end.
  • Melt the butter and honey mixture right before pouring so it coats the warm popcorn most effectively and doesn't cool down in transit.
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