Hot Honey Butter Popcorn (Print View)

Crispy popcorn combines sweet honey, rich butter, and a spicy chili twist for flavorful snacking.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 1.5 teaspoons hot sauce (Sriracha or Frank's RedHot), to taste
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

# Directions:

01 - Warm the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 or 3 popcorn kernels and cover.
02 - Once the test kernels pop, add the remaining popcorn kernels in a single layer. Cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape, and shake occasionally.
03 - When the popping slows so there are 2 to 3 seconds between pops, remove the pot from heat and transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl.
04 - In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the honey, hot sauce, and chili flakes until fully combined and warmed through.
05 - Pour the hot honey butter evenly over the popcorn. Toss thoroughly to coat, then sprinkle with fine sea salt and toss again.
06 - Serve immediately, adjusting the seasoning or heat to taste as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes flat, which means you can satisfy cravings without a production.
  • The balance of sweet, salty, and spicy hits in a way that store-bought versions never quite manage.
  • You control the heat level, so whether you like a gentle warmth or face-flushing spice, it's completely yours to adjust.
02 -
  • Stop popping when you hear 2–3 second gaps between pops; continue and you'll end up with burnt kernels that taste like charcoal.
  • The hot honey butter thickens as it cools, so toss immediately after pouring, or it'll clump instead of coating evenly.
03 -
  • Let the honey butter cool for just 30 seconds before pouring so it coats evenly without pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • If you accidentally add too much spice, stir in a little more honey or make a fresh batch of popcorn to dilute the heat.
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