Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (2024)

You are here:Home » Desserts

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
Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (2)

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!

RECEIVE YUMMY HEALTHY RECIPES VIA EMAIL!

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  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 healthiest popcorn to make? ›

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 is the best way to pop popcorn healthy? ›

For the healthiest results, pop your corn in an air popper or in the microwave. If using the microwave, put 1/4 cup of kernels in a paper bag, fold the top over twice, and microwave on high for about two minutes, or until the popping slows to about two seconds between pops.

What is the healthiest way to butter popcorn? ›

Clarified butter or ghee, a type of clarified butter, is the best bet for coating your kernels. Regular butter contains water and milk solids, which lead to a soggy snack. The water and milk solids are removed from clarified butter and ghee.

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

What's a Healthy Salt-Butter-Oil Ratio? The healthiest way to eat popcorn is plain and air-popped. However, most of us need a little seasoning to enjoy this snack. Because the whole grains in popcorn are so beneficial,11 don't undo their benefits by dousing your popcorn in butter and salt.

What is the healthiest popcorn for weight loss? ›

The 10 Best Healthy Popcorn Brands of 2022, According to...
  • How We Chose.
  • Skinny Pop Original.
  • Lesser Evil Himalayan Pink Salt.
  • Quinn Aged Parmesan and Rosemary.
  • Boom Chicka Pop Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn.
  • Bjorn Qorn.
  • Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn.
  • Newman's Own Organic Touch of Butter.
Sep 27, 2022

Is popcorn the healthiest junk food? ›

Popcorn is a healthy snack when it's air-popped and served without ingredients high in fat, salt, or sugar. Popcorn is high in important nutrients, including fiber. Popcorn is one of the world's healthiest and most popular snack foods. It is loaded with important nutrients and offers a variety of health benefits.

Can I eat popcorn everyday? ›

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.

What can you put on popcorn instead of butter? ›

Butter Substitutes for Popcorn
  • 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

Is stovetop 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).

What's the best oil for popcorn? ›

Two popular choices are canola and vegetable oil (both with a smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit), thanks to their generally neutral flavor. Refined peanut oil (with a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit) is also recommended, especially if you like to infuse your popcorn with some of its nuttiness.

What is the best and healthiest oil for popcorn? ›

Avocado Oil: Many consider avocado oil to be the best oil for popcorn. It offers the highest smoking point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while still containing 14 grams of healthy, rejuvenating fats. Out of all the oils on this list, avocado oil is considered the healthiest option among experts.

How can I flavor popcorn without oil or butter? ›

Spray your plain popcorn lightly with tamari, Braggs aminos or coconut aminos. This will add a salty flavour and also help your other seasonings to stick. You can make salt and vinegar popcorn by dissolving some salt into your favourite vinegar, and spraying or sprinkling this over the popcorn.

What should I drink when eating popcorn? ›

The Best Drinks to Pair With Popcorn
  • Red Wine With Salty, Buttery Popcorn. We recommend pairing red wine with salt and butter popcorn. ...
  • Beer With Parmesan Garlic Popcorn. ...
  • Bourbon With Caramel Popcorn. ...
  • Whiskey Sour With Cheddar Ranch Popcorn. ...
  • Strawberry Peach Bellini with Cinnamon Bun Surprise Popcorn.

Is popcorn good for your digestive system? ›

Unlike some snacks that may be heavy or greasy, popcorn is a light and easily digestible snack. It is gentle on the digestive system, making it an ideal choice for those with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues. Popcorn is low in fat and contains no cholesterol, which further contributes to its digestive ease.

What makes popcorn a superfood? ›

In addition to being high in fiber, popcorn also contains phenolic acids, a type of antioxidant. In addition, popcorn is a whole grain, an important food group that may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension in humans. Whole grains are known to offer many health benefits to humans.

Can homemade popcorn be healthy? ›

In addition to being high in fiber, popcorn also contains phenolic acids, a type of antioxidant. In addition, popcorn is a whole grain, an important food group that may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension in humans.

Is SkinnyPop healthier than microwave popcorn? ›

Given its name, a consumer might well think that SkinnyPop is lower in calories and fat, but it actually contains more of both than the other four popcorns have. On its website the company defines "skinny" not as diet-friendly but as "using the fewest, cleanest and simplest ingredients possible."

Which popcorn is healthiest white or yellow? ›

Nutritional Value

Approximately 31 calories and 1.2 grams of fiber are found in one cup of air-popped white popcorn, while 35 calories and 1 gram of fiber are found in one cup of air-popped yellow popcorn. Both varieties of popcorn are regarded as nutritious treats despite these minor variations.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 6401

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.