What Should I Put on My Popcorn

One press deals a butter or oil, a seasoning and a herb or spice, with how to make each stick.

All 147

Melted butterPour it in a thin stream while you shake the bowl, then season at once. Try it with fine salt.Butter, oil or spray
ParmesanGrate it as fine as you can over hot buttered popcorn, so it melts on. Try it with cracked black pepper.Seasoning
Cracked black pepperGrind it fine over buttered popcorn; big pieces fall off. Try it with Parmesan.Herb, spice or heat

Next step Popcorn settled. Now pick the movie Draw a second snack for the table

All 147 toppings

Butters, oils and sprays 21

A mist of vinegar Spray it lightly and salt at once. Try it with fine salt and dill.
A mist of water A fine mist from a spray bottle makes seasoning cling with no butter or oil. Try it with fine salt.
Avocado oil A light drizzle tossed through the bowl. Try it with lime zest and chili powder.
Bacon fat Warm a spoonful, drizzle and toss. Try it with cracked black pepper and cheddar powder.
Brown butter Cook butter until it smells of nuts, then drizzle and toss. Try it with Parmesan, or cinnamon sugar.
Cinnamon butter Melt butter with cinnamon and a little sugar and toss it through. Try it with dried cranberries.
Clarified butter Drizzle it warm and toss, then season while it is still wet. Try it with fine salt, or cinnamon sugar.
Coconut oil Melt a spoonful and toss it through the hot popcorn. Try it with fine salt, or with cocoa powder.
Cooking spray A light mist makes dry seasoning cling without soaking the popcorn. Try it with ranch seasoning.
Garlic butter Melt butter with a grated clove, drizzle and toss. Try it with Parmesan and chives.
Herb butter Melt butter with chopped rosemary or thyme, then drizzle and toss. Try it with cracked black pepper.
Honey butter Melt butter and honey together, drizzle and toss fast. Try it with a pinch of fine salt.
Lime juice A light squeeze, tossed fast, makes powders cling. Try it with chili powder and cotija.
Maple butter Melt butter with a spoonful of maple syrup, drizzle and toss. Try it with pecans.
Melted butter Pour it in a thin stream while you shake the bowl, then season at once. Try it with fine salt.
Miso butter Whisk a little miso into melted butter until smooth, then toss. Try it with furikake.
Olive oil A thin drizzle, tossed well, gives dry seasoning something to hold. Try it with Parmesan.
Pickle brine A light spray or a spoonful shaken through. Try it with dill and garlic powder.
Soy sauce butter Stir a few drops of soy sauce into melted butter and toss fast. Try it with nori flakes.
Toasted sesame oil A few drops mixed into melted butter, then tossed through. Try it with furikake.
Truffle oil A few drops stirred into melted butter, then tossed through. Try it with Parmesan.

Salty and savory 37

Barbecue rub Shake a dry rub over buttered popcorn and toss. Try it with cheddar powder.
Cheddar powder Toss it with hot buttered popcorn in a lidded bowl or a paper bag. Try it with mustard powder.
Chicken bouillon powder Crush a pinch fine and use it in place of salt on buttered popcorn. Try it with thyme.
Chives Snip them very fine over buttered popcorn. Try them with sour cream and onion powder.
Cotija Crumble it fine over popcorn tossed with butter and lime juice. Try it with chili powder.
Cracked black pepper Grind it fine over buttered popcorn; big pieces fall off. Try it with Parmesan.
Cumin Warm a pinch in the butter or oil first. Try it with lime juice and fine salt.
Dill Rub dried dill fine between your fingers over buttered popcorn. Try it with ranch seasoning.
Dill pickle seasoning Shake it over popcorn misted with pickle brine or vinegar. Try it with garlic powder.
Everything seasoning The seeds need butter to hold: toss well and scoop from the bottom. Try it with garlic butter.
Fine salt Use salt ground as fine as dust: coarse grains fall to the bottom. Shake it on right after the butter.
Furikake Shake it over popcorn tossed in butter and a few drops of sesame oil.
Garlic powder Stir it into the melted butter first, so it goes on evenly. Try it with Parmesan.
Garlic salt Shake it over buttered popcorn in place of plain salt. Try it with chives.
Herbes de Provence Rub the dried herbs fine and warm them in olive oil. Try it with fine salt.
Italian seasoning Rub it fine and warm it in the butter or olive oil first. Try it with Parmesan.
Lemon pepper Shake it over buttered popcorn and toss. Try it with Parmesan.
Lemon zest Grate it over popcorn tossed in olive oil. Try it with Parmesan.
Lime zest Grate it over buttered popcorn at the very end. Try it with cotija, or with fine salt.
Mushroom powder Grind dried mushrooms to dust and shake over buttered popcorn. Try it with thyme.
Nori flakes Crumble a toasted sheet over popcorn tossed in butter. Try it with toasted sesame oil.
Nutritional yeast Crush the flakes fine and shake them over oiled popcorn. Try it with garlic powder.
Onion powder Mix it with fine salt before it goes on buttered popcorn. Try it with chives.
Parmesan Grate it as fine as you can over hot buttered popcorn, so it melts on. Try it with cracked black pepper.
Pecorino Romano Grate it fine over popcorn tossed in olive oil. Try it with cracked black pepper.
Pizza seasoning Oregano, garlic powder and fine Parmesan over popcorn tossed in olive oil. Try it with red pepper flakes.
Ranch seasoning Shake the dry mix over buttered popcorn and toss. Try it with dill.
Rosemary Chop fresh leaves fine and warm them in the butter or oil. Try it with Parmesan.
Seafood seasoning Shake it over buttered popcorn and skip the salt. Try it with lemon zest.
Seasoned salt Shake it over buttered popcorn while it is hot. Try it with cracked black pepper.
Smoked paprika Stir it into melted butter so it coats evenly. Try it with fine salt and garlic powder.
Sour cream and onion powder Shake it over popcorn misted with cooking spray. Try it with chives.
Thyme Warm fresh leaves in the butter, then drizzle and toss. Try it with Parmesan.
Truffle salt A pinch over buttered popcorn, tossed well. Try it with Parmesan.
Vinegar powder Mix it with fine salt and shake it over buttered popcorn. Try it with dill.
White cheddar powder Shake it on in two rounds, tossing in between. Try it with dill.
Za'atar Shake it over popcorn tossed in olive oil. Try it with fine salt.

Sweet 23

Brown sugar Melt it into the butter first so it coats; dry, it falls off. Try it with cinnamon butter.
Butterscotch sauce Warm it, drizzle it thinly and spread the popcorn out to set. Try it with cashews.
Caramel sauce Warm it until it pours, drizzle, toss, and spread the popcorn out to set. Try it with peanuts.
Chocolate drizzle Drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn spread on a tray and let it set. Try it with pretzels.
Chocolate hazelnut spread Warm a spoonful until it is loose, drizzle and toss. Try it with almonds.
Cinnamon sugar Shake it over hot buttered popcorn and toss at once. Try it with pecans.
Cocoa powder Mix it with powdered sugar first, then dust it over buttered popcorn. Try it with mini marshmallows.
Dulce de leche Warm it until it pours, drizzle and toss. Try it with toasted coconut flakes.
Fruit gelatin powder Shake the dry powder over buttered popcorn for color and a fruit taste. Try it with sprinkles.
Honey Warm it so it runs thin, drizzle and toss fast. Try it with almonds.
Hot cocoa mix Shake the dry mix over buttered popcorn. Try it with mini marshmallows.
Malted milk powder Dust it over buttered popcorn. Try it with chocolate chips.
Maple syrup Warm it with a little butter and drizzle thinly; too much makes the popcorn soggy. Try it with pecans.
Matcha sugar Mix matcha with powdered sugar and dust it over buttered popcorn. Try it with white chocolate chips.
Melted marshmallow Melt marshmallows with butter, pour over and stir: it sets, so you can press it into popcorn balls.
Peanut butter drizzle Warm peanut butter with a little honey until it pours, drizzle and toss. Try it with chocolate chips.
Powdered sugar Dust it through a sieve over buttered popcorn. Try it with cocoa powder.
Pumpkin pie spice Stir it into melted butter with a little sugar and toss. Try it with pecans.
Strawberry powder Crush freeze-dried strawberries to dust and toss with buttered popcorn. Try it with white chocolate chips.
Sugar in the pot (kettle corn) Add a spoonful of sugar to the oil with the kernels and shake the pot the whole time.
Sweetened condensed milk A thin drizzle, tossed fast. Try it with toasted coconut flakes.
Vanilla sugar Shake it over buttered popcorn and toss. Try it with white chocolate chips.
White chocolate drizzle Melt it, drizzle it over popcorn on a tray and let it set. Try it with dried cranberries.

Spicy 20

Cajun seasoning Shake it over buttered popcorn and go easy on any other salt. Try it with Parmesan.
Cayenne A pinch stirred into the melted butter spreads the heat evenly. Try it with garlic salt.
Chili crisp Toss the popcorn with its oil first, then scatter the crunchy bits on top. Try it with fine salt.
Chili lime seasoning Shake it over popcorn tossed with a squeeze of lime juice. Try it with cotija.
Chili oil Drizzle a little and toss. Try it with fine salt and lime zest.
Chili powder Stir it into melted butter, or shake it over popcorn tossed with lime juice. Try it with cotija.
Chipotle powder Stir it into melted butter for smoky heat. Try it with lime juice and fine salt.
Curry powder Warm it in butter or coconut oil for a moment, then toss. Try it with cashews.
Fried jalapeño slices Fry a few slices in the popping oil first, then pop the corn in that oil. Try it with cheddar powder.
Garam masala Warm a pinch in butter, then drizzle and toss. Try it with a squeeze of lime juice.
Harissa butter Whisk a little harissa paste into melted butter, drizzle and toss. Try it with lemon zest.
Hot honey Warm it, drizzle it thinly and toss fast. Try it with a pinch of fine salt, or with peanuts.
Hot sauce butter Whisk a few dashes into melted butter; straight from the bottle it makes popcorn soggy.
Jerk seasoning Shake it over popcorn tossed in coconut oil. Try it with lime juice.
Mustard powder Mix it with fine salt before it goes on buttered popcorn. Try it with cheddar powder.
Red pepper flakes Warm them in the butter or oil first so the heat spreads. Try them with Parmesan.
Shichimi togarashi Shake it over popcorn tossed in butter and a few drops of sesame oil. Try it with nori flakes.
Sriracha butter Whisk a little into melted butter, drizzle and toss. Try it with lime zest.
Taco seasoning Shake it over popcorn misted with cooking spray. Try it with lime juice and cotija.
Wasabi powder Mix it with fine salt and shake it over buttered popcorn. Try it with nori flakes.

Mix-ins 46

Almonds Toast and chop them, then toss them in last. Try them with honey, or with smoked paprika.
Animal crackers Stir them in at the end. Try them with white chocolate drizzle and sprinkles.
Bacon bits Scatter them over buttered popcorn. Try them with cheddar powder and chives.
Bagel chips Break them into pieces and stir them in. Try them with everything seasoning.
Banana chips Break them up and stir them in. Try them with peanut butter drizzle.
Butterscotch chips Add them once the popcorn has cooled. Try them with pecans.
Candy corn Toss it in once the popcorn is cool. Try it with peanuts.
Candy-coated chocolates Stir them in once the popcorn has cooled. Try them with pretzels and peanuts.
Cashews Stir them in whole at the end. Try them with butterscotch sauce, or with curry powder.
Cereal squares Toss them with the popcorn before the butter, so both get coated. Try them with ranch seasoning.
Cheese crackers Stir them in at the end. Try them with cheddar powder.
Chocolate chips Wait until the popcorn is no longer hot, or they melt. Try them with peanuts.
Chopped caramels Cut soft caramels small and stir them through cooled popcorn. Try them with pecans.
Corn chips Stir them in at the end. Try them with taco seasoning.
Crispy fried onions Crush them a little and toss them through buttered popcorn. Try them with ranch seasoning.
Crushed peppermint candy Scatter it over melted chocolate before it sets. Try it with white chocolate drizzle.
Crushed sandwich cookies Crush them and toss with popcorn still wet with white chocolate, so the crumbs hold.
Dried cherries Toss them in at the end. Try them with chocolate drizzle and almonds.
Dried cranberries Toss them in at the end. Try them with white chocolate drizzle and almonds.
Freeze-dried strawberries Break them up and toss them in at the end. Try them with white chocolate drizzle.
Graham cracker pieces Break them small and stir them in. Try them with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Gummy bears Stir them in once the popcorn is cool. Try them with cinnamon sugar.
Honey-roasted peanuts Stir them through at the end. Try them with fine salt, or with chocolate chips.
Malted milk balls Stir them into cooled popcorn. Try them with chocolate drizzle.
Mini marshmallows Toss them in cold for a soft bite, or melt them with butter to bind the bowl. Try them with cocoa powder.
Mini peanut butter cups Halve them and add them once the popcorn is cool. Try them with pretzels.
Oyster crackers Toss them with the popcorn before the butter and seasoning. Try them with ranch seasoning and dill.
Peanut butter chips Add them once the popcorn has cooled. Try them with chocolate drizzle.
Peanuts They sink, so stir from the bottom as you serve. Try them with caramel sauce, or with chili powder.
Pecans Toast them and break them up before they go in. Try them with maple butter, or with fine salt.
Pistachios Shell them and toss them in at the end. Try them with honey, or with lemon zest.
Plantain chips Break them up and toss them in. Try them with lime juice and chili powder.
Pretzels Break them small and stir them in at the end. Try them with chocolate drizzle, or with ranch seasoning.
Pumpkin seeds Toast them and toss them in while the butter is still wet. Try them with chili lime seasoning.
Raisins Stir them through at the end. Try them with peanuts and cinnamon sugar.
Roasted chickpeas Crisp ones from the oven or a bag, stirred in at the end. Try them with smoked paprika.
Rye chips Break them up and stir them in. Try them with garlic butter.
Sesame sticks Toss them in at the end. Try them with furikake, or with garlic butter.
Sprinkles Shake them over a chocolate or marshmallow coating before it sets; on dry popcorn they fall off.
Sunflower seeds Shelled and roasted: they sink, so stir from the bottom. Try them with seasoned salt.
Toasted coconut flakes Toast them until golden and toss them in while the butter is still wet. Try them with honey butter.
Toasted corn kernels The crunchy snack kind: stir them in at the end. Try them with chili powder.
Toffee bits Scatter them over popcorn that is still sticky from a sauce. Try them with chocolate drizzle.
Wasabi peas Stir them in at the end. Try them with nori flakes and soy sauce butter.
White chocolate chips Add them once the popcorn has cooled. Try them with dried cranberries.
Yogurt-covered raisins Stir them into cooled popcorn. Try them with almonds.

How it works

What should I put on my popcorn when butter and salt are getting old? Deal from 147: 21 butters, oils and sprays, 37 salty and savory seasonings, 23 sweet toppings, 20 spicy ones and 46 mix-ins.

Read the full guide

Why seasoning falls off

Dry powder slides off dry popcorn. Toss the popcorn with melted butter or oil first, or mist it with cooking spray, water or lime juice, then season at once, while it is hot. Grind salt and sugar fine: coarse grains end up at the bottom of the bowl.

Sweet popcorn

Caramel, honey and melted chocolate go on in a thin stream over popcorn spread on a tray, and set as they cool. Chocolate chips and candy go in last, once the popcorn is no longer hot.

Shake the popcorn and its seasoning in a paper bag, or in a bowl with a lid, and every piece gets coated.

Questions and answers

What is good to eat on popcorn?

Butter and fine salt first. After that: grated Parmesan with black pepper, ranch seasoning, nutritional yeast, cinnamon sugar, chili powder with lime juice, or a chocolate drizzle with pretzels and peanuts stirred through.

What kind of oil should I use for popping popcorn?

We would pop in coconut, canola, vegetable or peanut oil and keep the butter for afterward. Melted and poured over the bowl it is a topping; in a hot pot it can burn before the corn pops.

How do you make popcorn with butter?

Pop the corn first, in oil. Melt the butter while it pops, pour it in a thin stream as you shake the bowl, and salt at once. A little butter tossed well coats more than a lot poured in one spot.