This sweet, salty and spicy popcorn is really addictive. Its just as well its so easy to make – and ready in under 15 minutes! The combination of sweet and salty is hard to resist, but add in a few delectable spices and you’ll find yourself unable to stop.
My regular readers will know I’ve recently returned to my full-time job after 12 months of parental leave. Its been quite a shift for us and life can only be described as chaotic as we all adjust. But I’ve discovered the silver lining. Food.
My work is based in the waterfront area of our beautiful city. The building is quite literally surrounded by very good restaurants. And it would be rude of me not to support the local businesses, right? At least thats my justification.
There’s one restaurant in particular that offers southern American style food thats really got under my skin. In my five weeks back at work I’ve had lunch there three times. Partly for their incredible jerk chicken with chipotle mayonnaise – finger licking heaven! Partly for their unbelievable cherry lemonade cocktail – a drink I’m going to try very hard to replicate over the summer holidays. And partly for the wonderful spiced popcorn they provide you with as you sit down. The little wooden bowls of spice dusted popcorn snacks are so so good. They’re incredible moreish and a great way to get your appetite going.
This sweet, salty and spicy popcorn is my nod to this delightful little snack. The flavour is incredible. By baking it in the oven the butter and powdered sugar form a thin crisp crust that has a beautiful crunch. You’ll want to try this recipe, trust me. 
I have an air-popper for my popcorn. It makes a huge bowl of fresh, fat-free popcorn in a matter of minutes. Which is great, because it means we can have a large supply of this amazing sweet, salty and spicy popcorn ready to eat in under 15 minutes. But by all means pop the popcorn for this recipe using the traditional stove-top method.
I often wonder if I should rename this blog ‘I heart Cumin’ because this glorious spice features regularly (and in large quantities) in my recipes. Its no exception here. In the same way cinnamon works in both sweet and savoury dishes, the combination of sugar and cumin is what really makes this popcorn completely addictive. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 cups
- 4 cups freshly popped popcorn
- 2 tbsp powdered or icing sugar
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground tumeric
- 25g butter
- Preheat the oven to 170C Fan Bake. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Put the butter, sugar and spices into a small pot and heat gently to melt the butter. Stir well to combine. Allow to cook gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Place the popcorn in a large bowl and drizzle over the butter and spice mixture. Stir well to ensure each piece of popcorn gets some of the flavouring.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven. Allow to cool slightly before devouring.
To really add a bit of zing to this popcorn, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper!
This popcorn will keep well for a few days in an airtight container.
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