# home made popcorn - how to flavour **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051 "2008-11-30T14:25:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/1 "2008-11-30T14:25:21Z")
So yesterday I discovered the fun of home popped popcorn. Now I just need to knpw how to add a flavour - say toffee or whatever. Any tips? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/2 "2008-11-30T15:03:32Z")
How did you pop your popcorn? I made some awesome kettle corn just be adding about a tablespoon of sugar to the oil. But, really now, what flavor is better on popcorn than plain ol’ butter? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/3 "2008-11-30T15:12:49Z")
I have a friend who pops popcorn with leftover bacon grease. Fucking awesome! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/4 "2008-11-30T15:17:14Z")
Bacon salt. The spice rack is your friend. Add just about anything to lightly buttered popcorn for a taste treat. I like oregano and red pepper flakes. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/5 "2008-11-30T17:38:39Z")
Greek seasoning mix? I had a roommate who used to put two spices/herbs on popcorn, and it was really yummy. But I can’t recall what they were. I just bought some fresh popcorn yesterday, so I will be watching this thread. I love homemade popcorn. Don’t use olive oil to make it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/6 "2008-11-30T18:57:22Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bacon salt. This! If you want to cut back on butter consumption, we’ve used olive oil spray to great success. Spray, toss the popcorn, repeat a couple times, shake on the flavoring and toss again. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/7 "2008-11-30T19:02:59Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > How did you pop your popcorn? I made some awesome kettle corn just be adding about a tablespoon of sugar to the oil. > > But, really now, what flavor is better on popcorn than plain ol’ butter? The stuff I bought, you just heat the kernels in a dry saucepan with the lid on, and after 7 minutes or so you got action. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/8 "2008-11-30T19:04:19Z")
What’s wrong with good ol’ salt and melted butter? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/9 "2008-11-30T19:09:29Z")
You can buy popcorn flavoring powders at the store. I’ve used Kraft Mac & Cheese flavor powder before, and I know there are others. I don’t see why you couldn’t use any spice or spice mix you want just by shaking some over the popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![bufftabby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@bufftabby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bufftabby)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/10 "2008-11-30T19:10:45Z")
I make mine with olive oil, then toss with garlic salt and monterey jack cheese. So good! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/11 "2008-11-30T19:24:23Z")
> [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](#): > > So yesterday I discovered the fun of home popped popcorn. Now I just need to knpw how to add a flavour - say toffee or whatever. Any tips? I have a Stir Crazy popcorn popper that can be used to make kettle corn, caramel corn, etc., or just regular oil-popped corn. It’s a little on the big and potentially messy side (the oil and sugar can make everything sticky and hard to wash), so you have to really love kettle corn. ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/12 "2008-11-30T20:35:29Z")
Curry powder, salt and butter. Don’t say you weren’t warned, it’s addictive. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/13 "2008-11-30T20:37:21Z")
Popcorn is just a good vehicle for butter and salt. But cheese is an acceptable addition. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/14 "2008-11-30T20:47:57Z")
Lowrys seasoned salt. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/15 "2008-11-30T22:35:36Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I have a friend who pops popcorn with leftover bacon grease. Fucking awesome! We happen to have about a quarter cup of bacon fat left over from the other day, and were just talking about sitting down for a movie and popcorn this evening. It had never occurred to me to pair the two, but I’m certainly going to give it a try > [@silenus](#): > > Bacon salt. I know that I might have to give up my Doper Card for this, but I just can’t bring myself to try Bacon Salt. I was all for it at first (because “bacon” is always better than “no bacon”). There’s just one problem: There is no Bacon in Bacon Salt. I know, I shouldn’t be so closed minded, but I can’t help myself. So I guess I’ll just have to stick to actual bacon. Sucks to be me 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/16 "2008-11-30T22:42:05Z")
So if you don’t have a popcorn popper, and you aren’t microwaving it in a bag, how do you pop popcorn in a pan without it popping all over the kitchen? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/17 "2008-11-30T22:42:31Z")
Use a lid? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/18 "2008-11-30T22:46:00Z")
That wouldn’t allow steam to escape, so your popcorn could get soggy, couldn’t it? Good Eats uses a piece of foil punched with knife slits. Plus, Alton uses a large steel bowl instead of a pan. That allows heat to more evenly warm the corn. (PS: He also despises butter on popcorn, and I can’t say I don’t agree, at least to some extent. Butter as a popcorn “topping” is usually poured on by the bucketful, which makes it just gross, IMO.) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/19 "2008-11-30T22:54:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Use a lid? Well, that was my first thought, but wondered how you stir the stuff. I guess you just swish the pan around? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051/20 "2008-11-30T23:14:24Z")
Best would be a wok with a foil covering, like above. Swish to stir. Popcorn w/o butter might as well be packing peanuts. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-popcorn-how-to-flavour/475051.md?page=2)