Flavored popcorn tastes a whole lot better.
But when you try to season your popcorn, all the flavorings just go down to the bottom of the bowl. You‘ll even find that even salt doesn’t cling to your popcorn as much as you’d like it to.
So if you’ve been searching for the answer on how to get seasonings to stick to the popcorn, you’ve landed on the right page!
Plain popcorn can be boring. And with seasonings, you can create different tubs of popcorn that you can enjoy every movie night. So there is always something new to look forward to. The couch potato in you would be happy to snack on this flavorful popcorn.
How to Make the Popcorn Seasoning Stick
For seasoning to stick to your popcorn, it has to be in powder form.
The finer the granules are, the better chances they will cling to the popcorn.
It’s not rocket science, but not all are aware of this.
That’s why you can see commercialized popcorn flavorings are in powder form. Even the popcorn salt is finer than the regular table salt.
Here are several methods to make the seasonings stick to the popcorn.
- Grind the seasonings into smaller granules
You can also grind regular salt into a more powder form so you don’t need to buy popcorn salt in the store. This will guarantee that it will not slide to the bottom of the bowl.
You can use any of these handy kitchen tools – spice grinder, mortar and pestle, blender, or a food processor.
Then pour a bit of oil or melted butter into the popcorn to make it sticky. This will help the seasonings cling to the corn kernels better. Just be careful to not stream a lot of liquids.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a soggy bowl of popcorn that no one would want to eat, even yourself.
- Season your popcorn while it’s still hot
This is the best time to season your popcorn. Freshly popped corn still has a bit of moisture left on the surface. And this will help the salt stick to the popcorn better.
- Use the bowl technique
This technique is a great option if you’re trying to watch the calories. This will only absorb a few portions of fat.
All you need to do is smear the sides of a large mixing bowl with oil or melted butter. Then toss in the popcorn and seasonings and give it a good mix. Allow the popcorn to touch the side of the bowl.
The popcorn will just have enough fat to make the seasonings stick to it.
- Season the popcorn before popping them
Coating the raw corn kernels with seasons and a bit of fat can make them stick better to the popcorn.
This will also ensure that each corn kernel is coated evenly.
- Try steaming the popcorn
Steaming the popcorn will add more moisture to it. And moisture will help the seasonings stick to the popcorn better.
Simply place the popcorn on a colander above a steamer. This will produce moisture and this will make the popcorn sticky. But there is a downside to this method, steam the popcorn too long and it will become soggy and limp.
How to Make the Seasoning Stick to Popcorn if You’re Using an Air Popper
If you have this handy kitchen equipment, it’s easier to make popcorn anytime.
But it has a downside. The tub of popcorn will be a bit drier compared to what you’ve made using the stovetop.
What you have to do is introduce a bit of moisture to the popcorn first. So we need to add a bit of fat. This will make it stickier and more amenable to flavorings.
You can pretty much use any type of oil. But if you want a more flavorful tub, we suggest infusing the oil.
You can also use melted butter, which works divinely too.
Why is my Popcorn Soggy?
Introducing fat or oil is crucial for seasonings to stick better to the popcorn. But overdo it and you’ll end up with soggy popcorn.
And no one wants a soggy bowl of popcorn! We want that crunch at every bite.
You used a lot of oil, that’s what happened.
So instead of pouring oil or fat, consider missing it instead. This will give you more control over how much fat or liquid you’re introducing to the popcorn.
Using less oil will also make your popcorn healthier, there will be lesser fat and total calories.
How to Season your Popcorn
Not everyone is up for buying commercial popcorn flavorings.
These can be full of fat, sugar, and very high in salt.
Also, some might contain artificial compounds and flavorings. Not so much of the good stuff right?
The artificial flavor isn’t as palatable. Your palates will be able to distinguish it from the real thing.
The good news is, we are going to show you our favorite things to put on popcorn.
These are packed with flavor. And you can also control how much sugar or salt you put into the mix.
What to put on your popcorn? Here are our favorite combinations.
- Parmesan garlic
The combination of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, crushed chili flakes, and Italian herbs is an explosion in your mouth.
And this combo is also perfect for pizzas and pasta. So you can make a big batch of this spicy herby seasoning.
- Peanut butter
Peanut butter-flavored popcorn can bring out the kid in you.
There is no kid who doesn’t love PB sandwiches! We need powdered peanut butter, some sugar, and salt. You can even toss in M&Ms into the mix. You also have the option to put in as little sugar or as much as you want.
- Cinnamon and sugar
You can enjoy the comforting flavors of the holidays in your tub of popcorn tonight.
You’ll only need cinnamon and sugar. And oh, this goes pretty well in your morning toast too.
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- Ranch seasoning
If you love ranch dressing, you can also enjoy the same tangy taste in your popcorn.
We need dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. It’s tangy, salty, and just so satisfying.
- Mexican chocolate
This Mexican chocolate popcorn will put a smile on your face.
We need powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
What if I don’t like to Put Fat, Oil, or Butter in my Popcorn?
Oil or melted butter has become the staple for popcorn.
But it can pile up on the calories. But you need these to make the popcorn sticky so that seasonings can cling to it.
But no worries, you can still enjoy flavored popcorn without the added fat or butter.
In lieu of butter or oil, you can use salty water, lemon juice, or tabasco sauce in your popcorn. Just mist it as you would with oil so that you’ll not end with soggy and limp popcorn.
Is Popcorn Good for You?
Plain popcorn is healthy.
It is very high in fiber and an alternative to your pasta, rice, and bread.
Flavoring the popcorn, on the other hand, is a different thing. Especially if you’re using oil or butter, you have to account for the fat calories. So you have to use it sparingly or substitute it with salty water.
Then instead of buying commercial flavorings that are high in fat, sugar, or salt, y can make your own combo.
You can be as creative as you want. Use your palates as a guide to choosing flavors that will mesh well with one another. It can be an exciting culinary experience for you at the same time.
Say Goodbye to Flavorless Popcorn
Or to salt and seasonings sliding to the bottom of the bowl!
With the techniques that we have shown you, you’ll no longer have to settle with bland popcorn. And it won’t be such a waste either.
Eva M. Smith is the owner of this website. She is a 4 year old mother of two kids and a professional chef. Eva loves to cook for her family, but being a working mom has a lot of challenges. From squeezing in time to do the groceries to make three meals for the day. Eva knows how challenging cooking can be without a kitchen game plan.
That’s why she perfected techniques of preserving staple ingredients and several foods so that you have something pre-cooked or pre-baked to use for an array of meals. And they do not come short in flavor! And she does not want to sacrifice flavor with convenience. That’s why she is the best person to ask.