Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (2024)

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by Regina | Leelalicious 6 Comments

There are more creative and healthier ways than butter and salt to spice or sweeten up your favorite movie snack - popcorn! Try one of these Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes to snackon during your next movie night in.

Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (1)

We are a family of snackers. Both Konrad and I are nightowls to some extend. That means we are usually still up for quite a while after supper. Sooner or later in the night one of us is hit by the munchies.

Konrad absolutely loves his dill pickle chips as first choice snack - the crazy Canadian that he is. Luckily (because they really aren't healthy) they are impossible to find outside of Canada. So our alternative crunchy snack has been homemade popcorn. Especially he could have it every night.

There are great ways to flavor your freshlypopped popcorn in healthy ways.I am a sucker for sweet flavored popcorn. Growing up in Germany, caramel or kettle corn was the only kind of popcorn I had ever tasted until moving to Canada.

Konrad, on the contrary, is all for salty savory flavors. So I've collected the best of both sweet and savory healthy popcorn recipes in this roundup.

All these recipes start out with freshly made popcorn - not the kind from prepackaged microwave bags! If you are looking for ways to make healthier popcorn at home, check out this air popcorn poppers review post. And be sure to use non-GMO popcorn kernels.

If you enjoythis post, please:

Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes - Sweet

Healthy Caramel Corn - Leelalicious
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Matcha Popcorn - Fork and Flower
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (3)

Healthy Cocoa Brown Bag Popcorn - Super Healthy Kids
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (4)

Chai Tea Popcorn - Bev Cooks
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (5)

Honey Popcorn Balls - Gimme Some Oven
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (6)

Easy Dark Chocolate Popcorn with Sea Salt - Cup of Jo
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (7)

Peanut Butter Drizzled Popcorn - The Lemon Bowl
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (8)

Honey Cinnamon Popcorn - Naturally Ella
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (9)

Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes - Savory

Garlic Rosemary Popcorn - Leelalicious
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (10)

Smoked Paprika & Rosemary Olive Oil Popcorn - Cookin Canuck
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (11)

Garlic + Dill Popcorn Recipe - Simply Shellie
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (12)

Chili + Lime Coconut Oil Popcorn - Killing Thyme
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (13)

Lemony Kale Healthy Popcorn Snack - Simply Fresh Dinners
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (14)

Garlic Parmesan Popcorn - The Gracious Pantry
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (15)

Italian Breadstick Popcorn - Pastry Affair
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (16)

Pizza Popcorn - Foxes Love Lemons
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (17)

All these recipes start out with freshly made popcorn - not the kind from prepackaged microwave bags! If you are looking for ways to make healthier popcorn at home, check out this popcorn poppers review post.

Random Questions

What can I add to popcorn to make it healthier?

Opt for natural flavorings like herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast instead of butter and salt. Ingredients like cinnamon, cocoa powder, or honey can also add sweetness without sacrificing healthiness.

What is the healthiest form of popcorn?

Air-popped popcorn is generally considered the healthiest option as it doesn't involve any oil or butter. It is lower in calories and fat compared to other methods of popping.

What can I put on popcorn instead of butter?

Try using alternatives like olive oil, coconut oil, or ghee for a flavorful and healthier option than butter. Additionally, you can use various herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast to enhance the taste.

What is the best thing to mix with popcorn?

Various seasonings like garlic, rosemary, paprika, or parmesan cheese can be great options to mix with popcorn for added flavor and variety. You can also experiment with different combinations of sweet and savory flavors.

Disclosure: This postincludes Amazon affiliate links. If you decide to buy through them, I may earna small commission – at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Chevaun

    Cannot wait to try these recipes! Thanks so much for saving me from going insane! My normal sea salt or coconut oil popcorn was getting beyond boring, I almost reached for the naughty snacks ! Weight loss diet is on track! 🙂 Cheers

    Reply

    • Regina

      Yay glad to hear these recipes could help

      Reply

  2. rachel @ athletic avocado

    woah chai tea popcorn!? All of these popcorn recipes sounds delicious! I never knew popcorn could be made so many different ways! Pinning for later 🙂

    Reply

    • Regina

      I know eh, that chai flavored popcorn sounds amazing! I would have never thought of that 🙂

      Reply

  3. Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners

    Wow, what a great collection, Regina. I am definitely going to be trying some of these unique recipes. That Easy Dark Chocolate Popcorn with Sea Salt is waiting for me! Thanks so much for including my recipe!

    Reply

    • Regina

      Thank you Robyn! Oh yes, I am a sucker for dark chocolate too 😉

      Reply

Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to pop popcorn healthy? ›

Air popped popcorn uses no oil, meaning it has the fewest calories. “Popping it in oil, however, is a great way to consume a healthy portion of fat to control hunger,” Jeffers says. Not only can you manage serving size, but you can also make it in under 10 minutes in most cases.

What to put on popcorn that isn't butter? ›

Here's a list of excellent butter substitutes for popcorn for your next batch.
  • Olive Oil. Olive oil is a healthy and tasty alternative to butter. ...
  • Trail Mix. Adding trail mix to your popcorn can introduce a variety of flavors while also providing a healthy alternative to butter. ...
  • Coconut Oil. ...
  • Avocado Oil. ...
  • Ghee. ...
  • Canola Oil.
Jan 3, 2023

What's the healthiest thing to put on popcorn? ›

8 Healthy Popcorn Toppings Sure to Amaze
  • 8 – Apple Pie Popcorn. You'll swear you're chowing down on a very light and delicate apple pie. ...
  • 7 – Pumpkin Glazed Popcorn. ...
  • 6 – Lemon Kale Popcorn. ...
  • 5 – Lime Cilantro Popcorn. ...
  • 4 – Italian Breadstick Popcorn. ...
  • 3 – Rosemary, Black Pepper and Parmesan Popcorn. ...
  • 2 – Peanut Butter Popcorn.
Dec 4, 2015

How can I flavor popcorn without adding calories? ›

These seasonings are low in calories and fat and provide a lot of flavor.
  1. Cinnamon.
  2. Cocoa powder.
  3. Chili powder.
  4. Minced lemon or lime zest.
  5. Garlic powder.
  6. Black pepper.
  7. Curry powder.
  8. Nutritional yeast.
Nov 2, 2020

What is the healthiest oil to pop popcorn in? ›

Avocado oil boasts the highest smoke point, the healthiest nutrition facts, a great buttery creamy flavor, and overall, the cleanest quality of any oil on the market.

Is it okay to eat popcorn every day? ›

Even though popcorn is healthy, it is possible to eat too much of it. Both dietitians say that eating an excessive amount of popcorn can lead to bloating, gas and constipation because of its high-fiber content—especially for people who aren't used to eating a lot of fiber.

Is popcorn OK for weight loss? ›

Popcorn can indeed be a valuable addition to a weight loss diet. Its low-calorie, high-fibre, and whole-grain characteristics make it a filling and nutritious snack option. If you are looking to lose weight, it is essential to consume popcorn healthily, without excessive butter, oil, or sugar.

How do you get seasoning to stick to popcorn? ›

Simply place your popped popcorn and desired seasonings into a large paper bag, drizzle in a little melted butter or ghee, fold the top over to seal it, and then shake vigorously to distribute the seasonings evenly.

What seasoning tastes good on popcorn? ›

SPICES: Spices are one of the easiest and healthiest ways to create popcorn seasonings. Chili powder, garlic powder, dried herbs, cumin, cayenne powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and paprika all taste great in a variety of combinations.

Can I eat a lot of popcorn and not gain weight? ›

Because of its low calorie content, low energy density, high fiber content and increased satiety, eating popcorn may help you eat fewer calories and lose weight. However, moderation is key. Even though it is much more filling than many other snack foods, it can still be fattening if you eat too much of it.

What is the secret ingredient in popcorn? ›

The flavor all comes down to one ingredient: Flavacol. You've likely never heard of Flavacol because, really, only movie theaters use it. Essentially, it's butter-flavored salt. It's a really fine, bright orange powder that adds that buttery flavor you crave and the signature yellow color.

What is a healthy popcorn brand? ›

Quinn Aged Parmesan and Rosemary

Quinn popcorn is a healthier microwavable popcorn that doesn't use potentially harmful chemicals typically used to coat the bags. For healthy popcorn that's still convenient to make at home, try this brand.

Does soaking popcorn in water make it pop better? ›

There isn't enough moisture in unpopped kernels to create the pressure, so they fail to burst and open. To make your popcorn pop better, try soaking the kernels in a bowl of water for 10 minutes and then draining them. Then, pop the kernels as usual.

Is stove popped popcorn healthier than microwave? ›

Then there's the nutritional comparison. Depending on how much oil you use, making your popcorn on the stove should save you a few calories compared to the microwave stuff. Plus, unlike with Pop Secret, you're not forced to make a whole bag's worth (and subsequently eat it in its entirety, because you're only human).

How should popcorn be served to make it a healthy snack? ›

A serving of air-popped popcorn is 3 cups and has about 100 calories before toppings. To get the most benefit from a whole grain popcorn snack, find a topping you like that includes only a little butter or salt. Air-popping popcorn or preparing popcorn with a small amount of oil is a great place to start.

What is the cleanest way to eat popcorn? ›

Air-popped popcorn doesn't use oil and is the healthiest way to enjoy the snack, according to Cleveland Clinic.

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