The Best Homemade Popcorn Seasoning (Easy Savory Spice Blend)
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If you’re looking for a simple way to make popcorn taste amazing without weird additives, this homemade popcorn seasoning is a must-try.
Almost every time we make this and bring it somewhere, someone asks, “What’s on this popcorn?!”—and then goes back for more. It’s that good.
The best part? It’s made with simple herbs and spices you likely already have on hand (or can easily mix up ahead of time). It’s actually based on my homemade vegetable broth seasoning, but it works incredibly well as a savory, crave-worthy topping for popcorn.
So, we have a popcorn problem.
Healthy Stovetop Popcorn, Healthy Peanut Butter Popcorn, and Healthy Kettle Corn, we love basically every which way to enjoy popcorn including this Dorito Popcorn.
But as a whole foodie family, we do not love the icky chemical fake stuff that most popcorn seasonings are made of.
Well, great things often come as the result of mistakes and that includes this homemade popcorn seasoning recipe. It seriously might be the best popcorn seasoning you have ever tasted.
How this Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Recipe Came to Be
Pretty much we take this popcorn (and we take it EVERYWHERE), people ask us for the recipe. It's even been called “seriously delicious” by some.
This great popcorn seasoning originated one day when we were preparing popcorn to take to an outing.
We'd been avoiding gluten (so pretzels are out of the question [except for the gluten-free ones that cost a small fortune!]) and we avoid MSG type stuff and artificial cheezy flavor that is on simply every variety of Doritos and such snack foods. Not to mention the GMO corn.
We often would take this Herb Popcorn with us, but we'd run out of the topping blend. So, I decided to try topping the popcorn with this Homemade Vegetable Broth Mix instead.
And it was surprisingly delicious.
Oh, and in my opinion, the best way to pop popcorn is in a handy dandy crank handle stainless steel popper.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
- Blending: While this recipe is basically just my Homemade Vegetable Broth seasoning on top of popcorn, you definitely want to blend the seasoning before using it on popcorn so that the homemade popcorn seasoning will adhere well. Otherwise, you will have large flakes of rosemary and parsley on your popcorn. Not fun!
- Organic: I highly recommend using only organic popcorn. Almost all corn in the US is GMO, which creates all kinds of problems for your health, so please choose organic. Popcorn is such a reasonable snack, it's not a big deal to spend a little extra on buying organic!
- Avocado Oil: Although you can make the popcorn with either butter or organic coconut oil, I recommend using avocado oil since it has such a high smoke point!
- Thyme: You can try subbing organic thyme for the summer savory, but it will be a tad stronger.
- Oil Topping: Popcorn must be popped with some oil or have a healthy oil spray on it for the seasoning mix to stick. Alternatively, sprinkling with some water works as well but it's a little tough to get the water to work without ending up with soggy popcorn.
How to Get Seasoning to Stick to Popcorn
Dry seasonings won’t stick well to plain air-popped popcorn unless there’s a little moisture on the popcorn first, in the form of fat or even water.
To help this homemade popcorn seasoning stick, try one of these options:
- Melted butter or ghee – classic and very flavorful
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray – a lighter option. A refillable oil sprayer works really well for this.
- A light mist of water – works in a pinch if you want to avoid added fat (I used to avoid fat, but now I eat a lot of it.)
After lightly coating the popcorn, sprinkle the seasoning over the top and toss well.
Where to Buy Quality Spices
And if you are looking for a good place to get spices, try Frontier. I love their quality and mission. Starwest Botanicals has great products too.
How to Make Homemade Popcorn Seasoning
- Combine the spices.
- Blend until the mixture becomes a fine powder.
- Sprinkle over freshly popped popcorn.
The Best Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Ever!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons celery salt (see my Homemade Celery Salt)
- 4 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons ground summer savory
- 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
Instructions
- Combine all in a small bowl.
- Store in glass or plastic container with a tight fitting lid.
- Stir or shake occasionally before use to redistribute ingredients.
- Simply sprinkle on top of freshly popped popcorn and enjoy!
Notes
- Blending: For best results, blend the seasoning mix before using so it sticks evenly to the popcorn. This prevents large herb flakes (like rosemary or parsley) from separating.
- Organic Popcorn: I recommend using organic popcorn whenever possible, since most conventional corn is genetically modified. It’s an easy upgrade for a healthier snack.
- Best Oil for Popping: You can use butter or coconut oil, but avocado oil is ideal due to its high smoke point.
- Herb Substitution: If you don’t have summer savory, you can substitute thyme, but the flavor will be slightly stronger.
- Helping Seasoning Stick: Popcorn needs a bit of oil (or a light oil spray) for the seasoning to adhere. A light mist of water can work, but too much may make the popcorn soggy.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
More Homemade Popcorn Recipes
Try these other delicious ways to flavor popcorn:
- Healthy Stovetop Popcorn – the best method for perfectly popped popcorn every time
- Dorito Popcorn – a bold, cheesy-flavored popcorn made with nutritional yeast and spices
- Garlic Herb Popcorn – a savory herb popcorn with garlic and herbs
So, the next time you are hankering for some yummy organic popcorn, try topping it this way!
I'd love to hear your thoughts after you make this homemade popcorn seasoning!
This sounds so good! I’m going to have to try it. We eat popcorn more than any other snack.
Adrienne,
When my husband is having his “big bowl” of ice cream every night, I am having my pop corn. I will sure be trying your seasoning it looks great. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Hi Adrienne! Wow this recipe sounds delicious and perfect for movie night. I’ve tried making popcorn at home once before, but all my popcorn ended up burning. Any tips?
Did you see my post on making Homemade Popcorn? We have a great stainless steel popper w/ a crank. It only burns if you leave it too long w/o stirring. You’ll love it and it’s not that expensive.
Hi again, Kyleen. One other thought – if you end up getting the popper, you will love it. But otherwise, (or while you are waiting, you really have to make sure that you keep that pan shaking and that your heat isn’t too high.
Can you not use a hot air popper?
The spices need a fat to stick (or water). You’ll have to put something on it :).
Teri, I hope you like it! There’s another great one on my blog too. Wherever we take them they are a huge hit. We are always asked “What’s on this popcorn?!”
I cannot wait to try this. We love popcorn and are looking for a healthier way to eat it. Come over and visit us. We have a terrific apple sausage recipe to share.
Right now, alot of my family is sensitive to corn, but for the future, how do you prepare your popcorn? On the stove? With an air popper? Thanks so much!
Hi Betty – you can see the popper I use in my post on Basic Popcorn.
This sounds like it could be really good! I think I have most of the spices so I may find some popcorn and even try it tonight.
You’ll love it – guaranteed! Let me know!
I must tell you though, that in our gluten free world, most of us in our family actully like gluten free pretzels even more than the regular ones. Just an fyi. 🙂
Hi Catherine,
Yes, we like the gluten-free pretzels too, but we mainly avoid them due to their cost (ouch!) and the fact that they are made almost entirely of starch and we are trying to eat whole grains. That being said, they are tasty! Thanks for stopping by!
Found your post through Facebook and so glad I did! This sounds really wonderful and my kids would love it. I’m going to search through your site for the Herbs de Provance recipe too 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Sarah!
I am sorry, but I didn’t get the recipe posted yet for Herbes de Provence. Thanks for the reminder and hopefully I can get it done soon :-).
This is my first time here. Found you through Frugal Friday. You have tons of great homemade tips. I’ll be browsing for awhile. I started a new link-up on Wednesdays, Kitchen Economics: Cost Cutting Tips to Save Money in the Kitchen. I would love for you to stop by next Wednesday.
Thanks ~ Kristia