Easy Popcorn Snack Mixes
Published 1/13/2020 • Updated 6/29/2023
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Give your snacking a major makeover with these 4 DIY Easy Popcorn Snack Mixes! They’re made with freshly popped popcorn on the stovetop with different healthy add-ins for a flavorful, crunchy snack.
The Best Snack of All Time
Please tell me you’ve popped your own popcorn on the stove before? I’ve been popping my own popcorn since 1990, well actually my parents have! But, I soon followed in their footsteps once I was allowed use the stove.
Today we bringing you a delicious spin on a classic snack. Say hello to 4 amazing popcorn snack mixes that are perfect for any occasion, road trip, game day, or snack time.
Here’s What You Need to Pop Popcorn
Like I mentioned above, I am a HUGE fan of popping my own popcorn on the stovetop. Why? In my opinion, it tastes better, it’s more environmentally friendly, and it’s FUN. Want to pop your own popcorn? Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
- A large nonstick pot
- Avocado oil (it has a high smoke point so it won’t burn)
- Popcorn kernels
- Sea Salt
For detailed directions on How to Pop Popcorn (perfectly) on the stove, check out our tutorial on how to do that here!
How to Make Popcorn Mixes
Once you’ve popped your popcorn the next thing you have to do when making popcorn snack mixes is decide what theme or flavor mix you want to make.
The options are endless! If you are making a popcorn snack mix last minute, look in your pantry to assess the situation.
For instance, if you have taco seasoning, almonds, cheese Its, and corn nuts you could make a taco-inspired snack mix! Check out more ingredient ideas below!
Ingredient Ideas
- Popcorn
- Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, etc.)
- Dried Fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates, cherries)
- Crackers (cheese its, mini saltine crackers, gold fish, Annie’s bunny crackers)
- Fun Things (wasabi peas, Chex, cheerios, pretzels)
- Sweets (chocolate chips, m&ms, mini marshmallows, gummy bears)
Here are a couple things to keep in mind when you’re deciding on flavors.
- Try to choose ingredients that have different textures! Something soft, something crispy, and something crunchy! It makes it more fun to eat.
- A combination of savory and sweet ingredients makes for a party in your mouth!
- When deciding on what to mix into a snack mix, make sure all ingredients are shelf stable!
Our Favorite Snack Mixes
We stuck with our favorite flavor combinations when we chose these 4 popcorn snack mixes! You just can’t beat them.
Most of our popcorn mixes are tossed with coconut oil or olive oil and lightly baked (minus the peanut butter dark chocolate) to crisp up all of the ingredients and to bake the flavor into every single ingredient. YUM. Here are all of our flavor combos!
Ranch- The ranch mix is a delicious mix of popcorn, mini pretzels, Chex, olive oil, and ranch seasoning! We were inspired by ranch flavored crackers and thought a mixture of crunchy deliciousness would be perfect for a popcorn snack mix!
Churro- Say hello to the delicious mixture of cinnamon and sugar (churros, duh)! However, we took this snack mix up a notch with cinnamon cereal, almonds, and dates. We tossed everything in a bit of maple syrup and it is seriously delicious!
Parmesan Garlic- This parmesan garlic popcorn snack mix was inspired by parmesan garlic chicken wings! I love the flavorful wings that are a little spicy and crispy! We added extra crunch with pretzels and pepitas.
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate- Oh, mommy. This peanut butter dark chocolate popcorn mix is more like a popcorn bark! We mixed peanuts and popcorn and then drizzled everything with a delicious melted chocolate, peanut butter, and coconut oil drizzle. We let it dry and OMG its the best.
Healthy Snack Recipes
Easy Popcorn Snack Mixes
Ingredients
For the Popcorn
- 1/4 cup popping corn, unpopped
- 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil, or any kind of oil
Churro
- 8 cups popcorn, popped
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 5 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup cinnamon cereal
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste
Parmesan Garlic
- 8 cups popcorn, popped
- 2 cups mini pretzels rods
- 1 cup raw pepitas
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
- 8 cups popcorn, popped
- 1.5 cups peanuts
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut chips
- 1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste
Ranch
- 8 cups popcorn, popped
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups rice Chex
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2.5 tablespoons all-natural ranch seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste
Instructions
For the Popcorn
- Place 1/2 tablespoon of oil on the bottom of a medium-size pan. Turn heat to medium/high and place two unpopped popcorn kernels in the oil. Let sit.
- Once the two popcorn kernels have popped, you can add the rest of the unpopped popcorn. Cover and shake kernels so that they are fully coated in oil.
- Continue to periodically shake kernels (with the top on) about every 20 seconds. Soon enough, they will begin to pop!
- Continue shaking as the popcorn pops. Once there are about 2 or 3 seconds in between pops, you know the popcorn is done popping and it’s time to flavor!
- Note: this should make around 8 cups of popped popcorn, just enough for 1 of the recipes below.
Churro
- Preheat oven to 300ºF and spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place popcorn, almonds, chopped dates, and cereal on baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together coconut oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
- Pour on top of popcorn mixture and toss with hands until everything is fully coated.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and place in oven at 350ºF for around 8 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes and then enjoy!
Parmesan Garlic
- Preheat oven to 300ºF and spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place popcorn, mini pretzel rods, and raw pepitas on baking sheet.
- Then, drizzle on olive oil and toss so that everything is coated.
- Season with garlic powder, grated parmesan, and salt.
- Bake at 300ºF for around 8 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes and then enjoy!
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
- First, spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Then, place popcorn, peanuts, and unsweetened coconut chips on baking sheet. Toss and evenly spread out.
- Melt peanut butter and dark chocolate chips in the microwave and then use a spoon to drizzle over popcorn mixture.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and then place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer before serving.
Ranch
- Preheat oven to 300ºF and spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place popcorn, mini pretzels, rice Chex, on baking sheet.
- Then, drizzle on olive oil and toss so that everything is coated.
- Season with ranch seasoning and salt.
- Bake at 300ºF for around 6 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes and then enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- 1/4 cup unpopped popcorn yields about 8 cups popped.
- Each of the flavored recipes serves about 4 people.
Watch It
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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These look so good. Will definitely be making a few bowls for the next movie night!
Omg! No question, I would have eaten all of the dark chocolate peanut butter dark chocolate popcor!
That was for sure my second fav after the ranch!