Hot Honey Butter Popcorn (Print)

Crispy popcorn tossed with warm honey, butter, and chili for a flavorful snack with a sweet and spicy twist.

# Components:

→ Popcorn

01 - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Hot Honey Butter

03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 3 tablespoons honey
05 - 1 to 1.5 teaspoons hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha, Frank's RedHot), to taste
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add two popcorn kernels and cover. Once they pop, add remaining kernels evenly.
02 - Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Shake occasionally. Remove from heat when popping slows to 2–3 seconds between pops. Transfer popcorn to a large bowl.
03 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in honey, hot sauce, and chili flakes if using, until fully combined and warmed.
04 - Pour hot honey butter evenly over the popcorn and toss thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle sea salt and toss again.
05 - Serve immediately, adjusting seasoning and spice level as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it.
  • The contrast between sweet honey and spicy heat keeps you reaching for more instead of just mindlessly eating.
  • You can make it as mild or face-melting hot as you want, which means everyone at the party gets what they actually like.
02 -
  • Wet popcorn is the enemy—if you pour the honey butter over too slowly or let it sit before eating, the popcorn will get soft and chewy, so speed matters here.
  • The chili flakes make a real difference even though they seem optional, because they add a texture and a heat that builds on your tongue in a way hot sauce alone can't match.
03 -
  • Use a pot with a heavy bottom and a lid that fits snugly, because a cheap pot with hot spots will give you burnt kernels no matter how carefully you shake it.
  • If you want extra crispy popcorn, wait until the popping really slows down—those last few seconds make a difference in the final crunch you'll get.
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