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Hot Honey Popcorn Recipe

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5 from 54 reviews

Hot Honey Popcorn is a delightful sweet and spicy snack combining crispy popcorn with a luscious glaze of honey, brown sugar, butter, and a kick of red pepper flakes or hot sauce. This easy-to-make treat balances heat and sweetness perfectly and is great for parties, movie nights, or whenever a flavorful snack craving hits.

Ingredients

Popcorn

  • 4 cups air-popped or stovetop popcorn

Glaze

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes or dash of hot sauce

Optional Garnishes

  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • Sea salt for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pop the Popcorn: Prepare 4 cups of popcorn using either an air-popper or stovetop method. Once popped, spread the popcorn out evenly in a large bowl or on a sheet pan to allow it to cool slightly and be ready for coating.
  2. Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir in 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
  3. Coat the Popcorn: While the glaze is still hot, drizzle it evenly over the prepared popcorn. Immediately toss the popcorn thoroughly using a spatula or clean hands to ensure every kernel is well coated.
  4. Cool and Garnish: Spread the coated popcorn out on parchment paper or a clean tray to cool for about 5 minutes, allowing the glaze to crisp up. If desired, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the warm popcorn to enhance the flavor. Optionally, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the glaze before drizzling for a subtle aromatic note.

Notes

  • Use air-popped popcorn for a lower-fat snack option.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to control the spice level.
  • Adding vanilla extract to the glaze adds a subtle depth of flavor but is optional.
  • Sprinkling sea salt while the glaze is warm enhances the sweet and spicy contrast.
  • Store leftover popcorn in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

Find it online: https://mealoria.com/hot-honey-popcorn-recipe/