BYMany people have commented that we should write a cook book containing nothing but popcorn recipes. Heaven knows we could fill it! We’ve got Kettle Corn, Caramel Corn, Fruit Flavored Candy Popcorn, Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn, Cinnamon Cookie Crunch Popcorn, Peppermint Bark Popcorn, Cinnamon Bun Popcorn, and more. But one thing we haven’t posted? Savory popcorn. Which is actually quite surprising since I make savory popcorn mixes as often as sweet. Okay, not really as often. Sort of often. Only when I’m out of sugar. But still. Parmesan popcorn in particular, reminds me of my Dad. I grew up in a movie family; we loved watching movies, my Dad in particular, and no home movie night was complete without a giant bowl of air-popped popcorn drizzled with melted butter, and often sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. I used to rummage through the big bowl and try to pick out all of the butter-soaked pieces, the way my kids rummage through the Lucky Charms for the marshmallows. My husband and I love movies too, and lucky for me, I have a mother-in-law who buys almost every new release the day it comes out and is kind enough to share them with us. So pretty much every night is movie night around here. And movies are so much more fun with popcorn. It’s true. If you’re craving something crunchy and savory, this is a fun snack that just takes a few minutes to whip up.
Just put a few pats of butter and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan with fresh garlic. I let it sizzle for a few minutes so the garlic softens and infuses the butter, which will in turn coat the popcorn. Then sprinkle in a few herbs.
Make sure you stir it right before you pour, and then gently drizzle it over the popcorn (while stirring if you can manage) so you don’t end up with all the butter and/or herbs in one spot.
After it’s tossed together, sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese. You can finely grate it (I use a microplane) or used crumbled (store-bought or crumbled in a food processor.) Just avoid big thick shreds, or the pre-shredded Parmesan in bags. It’s best to use a crumbled or freshly grated. If your popcorn is still a little warm, the tiny cheese shreds will melt onto it and stick.
Herbed Garlic-Parmesan Popcorn
Description
If you’re craving something crunchy and savory, this is a fun snack that just takes a few minutes to whip up.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large clove garlic, pressed through garlic press
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- 8–10 cups popped popcorn (or 1 bag natural, unsalted microwaved popcorn)
- ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, more if desired
Instructions
- Place butter, olive oil, and garlic in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat. Heat until butter melts and starts to lightly simmer. Cook while stirring with rubber spatula for 1-2 minutes, until garlic is softened and fragrant. Add thyme and basil and stir to combine. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
- Prepare popcorn if you haven’t already. Place popcorn in large mixing bowl. Drizzle butter mixture over popcorn while stirring with large spoon or spatula. Quickly toss to coat. Add Parmesan cheese and toss until well distributed. Top with additional Parmesan if desired and serve immediately.
For the last little bit, I’ve been making my own popcorn in a brown paper bag in the micro (instead of on the stove top)… maybe I’m way behind, but this is where I got the idea: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/plain-brown-popper-recipe/index.html I just roll the bag over 3 or 4 times instead of using a staple. It’s so nice b/c I can flavor it however I want! I just do 1/2 a cup, a tad bit of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt, then high for 5 minutes and it’s ready (to season however I like).
Yep- we do it too 🙂
https://ourbestbites.com/2010/10/brown-paper-bag-microwave-popcorn/
I so needed to find you guys earlier in my life =)
This looks DELICIOUS! I don’t know if you have ever had Harry & David’s Moose Munch? It’s fantastic and available in a variety of flavors. Then they went out of business at their ONE store in Arizona, so I am going to have to attempt to make my own! Your recipes will help. They make a sweet & savory Moose Munch with ranch and it sounds disgusting but I swear it is fabulous…I don’t suppose you have a recipe for something like that?!
mmm, never had that particular one- but it sounds good!
Looks delicious. For a much quicker similar version, I have been using your garlic bread seasoning on my popcorn. I made the stuff and I use it on everything now!
We love popcorn, too, and I cannot wait to try this. Happy Friday!
My husband is a popcorn fanatic & keeps talking about wanting to try different seasonings (he’s not a fan of the chocolate drizzles or candy coatings). More posts like this & he will be your biggest fan 😉
I LOVE savory popcorn! I have been doing this same thing for our movie nights lately… I add dried dill and dried chives as the herbs and add a little splash of white wine vinegar to the butter mix.
I adore this idea!
I don’t believe I have ever tried savory popcorn. I guess I’m missing out! I hate missing out!
Oh my gosh! My mother-in-law does the same thing. So sad we’re living far now so we can’t go over to borrow the new movies 🙁 The popcorn looks yummy, will have to try it on our next movie night.
holy moley this looks absolutely amazing!