closeup shot of bacon popcorn

This Bacon Popcorn Recipe Will Be Bacon You Crazy

Popcorn and bacon, anyone? These two are even better together than they are individually, so if you love both, you’re in for a treat with this smoky bacon flavored popcorn recipe.

Haven’t tried cooking popcorn in bacon fat before? You’re missing out on a mind-blowing snack! Popcorn and bacon make a great combination — think salty, smoky, and irresistibly crunchy.

And as you’ll see below, making bacon popcorn is pretty easy! All you need are your Popper, your favorite kernels, a few slices of bacon, and other ingredients you use regularly.

Bacon Popcorn Ingredients

  • ½ cup popcorn kernels
  • 2-3 tablespoons bacon fat (reserved from cooking bacon)
  • 4 slices bacon, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt, to taste (be careful as the bacon is already salty)

Bacon Popcorn Directions

Step 1: Cook Bacon

Cook chopped bacon in a medium saucepan until crispy. Remove the bacon bits and set aside. Save about 2-3 tablespoons of the bacon fat.  

Step 2: Preheat Popper

woman sets stove to medium heat

Set your stove to medium heat and let the Popper preheat for 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 3: Add Bacon Fat

Add the bacon grease to the Popper and wait for it to melt and sizzle.

Step 4: Add Kernels

Toss 2-3 kernels into the pot. When the first one pops, add the remainder and cover the Popper.

Step 5: Turn 

woman turns crank of a yellow stovetop popcorn popper

Turn the Popper’s crank clockwise as the kernels pop. This will coat the kernels in the bacon fat and prevent them from sticking to one place and burning. 

Step 6: Remove

When popping slows to about 1-2 seconds between pops, take the Popper off the heat and remove the lid.  

Step 7: Make Bacon Popcorn Seasoning 

In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. 

Step 8: Combine

Drizzle the bacon popcorn seasoning over the popcorn and sprinkle the bacon bits. Then put the Popper’s lid back on and give the pot a good shake or a few extra cranks to distribute the bacon and seasoning. 

PRO TIP: If you’re adding salt, this is when to do so. Just do a taste test first — the popcorn may already be salty enough from the bacon. 

Step 9: Serve

a bowl of bacon popcorn

Pour your bacon grease popcorn into a huge bowl and enjoy! 

More Bacon Popcorn Tips

  • Cook your bacon slowly over medium-low heat to render out as much fat as possible without burning it. 
  • For extra bacon flavor, try drizzling bacon grease over the freshly popped popcorn. You can also use bacon salt. 
  • Want your popcorn cheesy? Cheddar pairs well with bacon because of its sharpness. Just shred half a cup of the cheese, add it after drizzling the bacon popcorn seasoning, then sprinkle the bacon bits and toss. Voila, you have bacon cheddar popcorn. 
  • Another variation is maple bacon popcorn. To make it, combine maple syrup, butter, and some bacon grease in a small saucepan over medium heat, drizzle the mixture over the popcorn, then add the bacon bits and toss. We’ll explain more in another post! 
  • Consider adding mix-ins like chopped nuts to give your popcorn more crunch. Pecans and almonds would be perfect!
  • This bacon grease popcorn tastes best fresh, but if you make an extra batch for later, store it in an airtight container and eat it within 2 days. 

Let’s Get Bacon 

This bacon popcorn may not be the healthiest snack out there, but sometimes we all just need to indulge our cravings and enjoy a mouthwatering treat!   

Want more snacking inspiration or popcorn recipes to make with your Popper? Check out the rest of our blog — we also have ideas for vegan popcorn, movie night snacks, and so much more.

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