Top 16 Best Popcorn Flavors That You Need to Try

Fact: everyone loves popcorn. Who wouldn't? It's such a versatile and yummy snack. Plus, it's fairly inexpensive and easy to make at home. You can enjoy popcorn anytime of the year and on any occasion — not just movie night.

Now while we're all familiar with salty, buttery popcorn, you may not know how many other great flavors of popcorn there are. There are tons of different popcorn recipes out there, both savory and sweet. You can definitely find a type of popcorn to satisfy any craving. 

In this post, we're going to tell you all about the 16 best sweet and savory gourmet popcorn flavors you need to try. These different flavors of popcorn are going to open up a whole new world of yummy snacks for you! 

Must-Try Savory Popcorn Flavors

if you're looking to level up your popcorn, you might want to try the types of savory popcorn flavors we're about to share.

One of the best things about gourmet popcorn is that you can actually customize the snack to be exactly what you like. Do you like spicy popcorn? You can look for popcorn flavors that pack a little heat. Do you go crazy for cheese? Then a cheesy popcorn would be right up your alley. Below is a list of 8 savory popcorn flavors.

Check 'em out and see which makes you drool: 

1. Nacho Cheese Popcorn

Cheese popcorn is already incredible but nacho cheese popcorn is just on another level. It's one of the most popular flavors of gourmet popcorn for a reason. This delicious snack is also incredibly easy to make. All you really need are cheddar cheese powder and popped popcorn. 

You read that correctly — just one simple additional ingredient makes perfect nacho cheese popcorn. You can find cheddar cheese powder in some grocery stores or you can order a bottle online. Simply shake it over a bowl of popped popcorn and ta-da, you'll have cheesy, delicious popcorn in seconds. Easy snacks like this really are the best.

2. White Cheddar Popcorn

White cheddar popcorn is super common. You can find pre-popped bags in almost every grocery store across the country. That's because the cheesy, tangy taste is so irresistible. 

While you definitely can buy white cheddar popcorn, you can also make your own crunchy popcorn with white cheddar cheese. Just a bottle of white cheddar seasoning and you're ready to go. Just like with nacho popcorn, you simply pop your popcorn kernels, sprinkle the warm popcorn with the white cheddar cheese, and then serve it. 

3. Movie Theater Popcorn

Movie theater popcorn is the most classic flavor of popcorn. It can be hard to get that authentic movie theater popcorn taste at home. But we'll let you in on a secret  — you need to cook it on a stovetop popcorn popper and use coconut oil (or better yet, grab a box of our Oh Sooo Buttery Popcorn so you don't have to guess the perfect oil-to-kernel ratio).

The result? A delicious snack that's even better than what you get at the movie theater. 

4. Spicy Jalapeño Popcorn

Anyone who loves their spice is gonna go crazy for spicy jalapeño popcorn. It takes the traditional, salty taste of popcorn and really turns it up a notch. Jalapeño popcorn is also pretty unique so it is sure to surprise and delight your taste buds.

To make it, you can either use diced pickled jalapeños or look for jalapeño seasoning in your grocery store. Toss the pickled jalapeños or the seasoning with some popped popcorn and your delicious new snack is ready. You can also customize how spicy you want your popcorn simply by adding more jalapeño or less.

5. Dill Pickle Popcorn

Dill pickle popcorn may sound a little strange at first but, once you give it a try, prepare to get hooked. Dill pickles and popcorn actually make a great combo. The crunchy popcorn is a little savory, a little sour, and completely addictive. 

To get that dill pickle flavor on your popcorn, simply add some salt, pepper, and dried dill weed to the popped popcorn and toss everything together. If you want a stronger pickle taste, drizzle a little vinegar over the popped popcorn and eat it right away. You really will be surprised by how delicious this flavor combo is. 

6. Ranch Popcorn

You may be surprised to learn that the ranch popcorn flavor is one of the most popular types of popcorn out there. Ranch seasoning has a tangy, savory taste that goes really well with salty popcorn. And the best part is that it's really easy to whip up. 

The best way to make gourmet ranch popcorn is to add a packet of ranch seasoning to freshly popped popcorn. Now most grocery stores will have pre-made packets of ranch mix but you can also make your own. Simply combine equal amounts of garlic powder, onion powder, dill, mustard powder, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the popcorn and then enjoy. It is as easy as that. 

7. Cajun Popcorn

Cajun popcorn is a perfect blend of creole seasoning and crunchy popcorn. It's a little spicy so it will give your snack a kick.

You can make cajun popcorn by sprinkling cajun seasoning over freshly popped popcorn. You can also make your own cajun seasoning by combining black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. It's so, so tasty. 

8. Parmesan Cheese Popcorn

Parmesan cheese and popcorn may seem like a weird combination at first. You're probably used to cheddar or white cheddar cheese with popcorn but parmesan? Trust us — it's delish. It's a great savory, cheesy snack that's also bursting with umami flavor. 

Parmesan cheese popcorn is a little lighter than white cheddar popcorn and is actually pretty low in calories. You simply need to sprinkle your popped popcorn with a little salt, pepper, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. If your popcorn is warm, the cheese will melt over the popcorn, making an even more irresistible snack. 

Sweet Gourmet Popcorn Flavors

We thought about the best, classic sweet popcorn flavors and then came up with a list that will satisfy any sweet tooth. These popcorn flavors are more like desserts — and we bet you won't get enough of them! 

1. Kettle Corn

Kettle corn may be the most common sweet popcorn flavor. It can be found at carnivals and circuses around the world. It's both sweet and salty, making it the perfect snack for any occasion. 

To pop kettle corn at home, it's best to use our pre-measured Classic Kettle Popcorn kits. You just need to add the oil and kernels first, then add in the special sugar 'n salt mix right before popping starts to prevent burning your popcorn. 

2. Birthday Cake Popcorn

Looking for a special birthday treat? Why not make birthday cake popcorn? It's exciting, unique, and perfect for any celebration. Of course, you don't have to wait for a real birthday to enjoy this treat — you can eat it for a movie night, an afternoon snack, or as a weeknight dessert.

To make birthday cake popcorn you will need a few things.

First, mix together some melted marshmallows, then mix in some packed vanilla cake mix, a splash of vanilla extract, and a tiny bit of milk. Add some popped popcorn to the bowl and mix it all up. Add some rainbow sprinkles to make the birthday cake popcorn even more appealing to your sweet tooth. This gourmet popcorn flavor is sure to delight everyone. 

3. Caramel Corn

Caramel corn is another classic sweet popcorn flavor you've likely tried. But while you can buy it in tins or bags, it tastes the best when you make it from scratch.

To make caramel corn, start by making some fresh popped popcorn. Then, add some brown sugar and corn syrup to a small pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat. When the mix starts to thicken, remove the pot from the heat, let it cool slightly, then pour it over your popcorn. Toss the popcorn quickly in the caramel and then enjoy. You won’t believe how amazing fresh caramel corn can be.

4. S’mores Popcorn

Who doesn't enjoy making s'mores by the campfire? Well, you can get that chocolate, marshmallow-y flavor any time you want when you turn your s’mores into popcorn. S’mores popcorn is a little more unique than the other sweet popcorn flavors on this list but that's just another reason why we love it. 

To make it, mix melted milk chocolate, melted marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs into your popped popcorn. Toss everything together quickly so the melted ingredients really stick to the crunchy popcorn. The s’mores popcorn may be a little messy to eat, but it's so worth it. 

5. Peanut Butter Popcorn

Another unexpected but amazing flavor combo is peanut butter and popcorn. It's sweet, savory, and absolutely delicious. The best part is how quick it is to make. You can make it in your own kitchen in mere minutes. 

Read More: We're Nuts for This Peanut Butter Popcorn

6. Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn

This is your classic caramel corn with a twist. Salted caramel is a decadent flavor that really stands out. It's especially good when paired with popcorn which is also buttery and salty. 

To make sea salt caramel popcorn flavor, you can follow the same method for traditional caramel corn. Once the caramel sauce is boiling, just add a little bit of flakey sea salt. Toss the salted caramel with your popped popcorn, and congratulations — you have a sweet and salty treat waiting for you to enjoy. 

7. Peppermint Bark Mocha Popcorn

This unique popcorn flavor is great for the holiday season. It's made with the classic chocolate and peppermint flavor that is always popular around the later part of the year. But of course, it is also made with salty, crunchy popcorn. The combination is incredible. 

To make peppermint bark mocha popcorn, you start by melting peppermint candies and tossing some popped popcorn into the melted peppermint syrup.

Then, you can melt some dark chocolate chips and drizzle the chocolate over the peppermint popcorn. Sprinkle some crushed peppermint candies on top of the chocolate popcorn to make it look as appealing as it tastes. Eat it right away or pack the gourmet popcorn into bags and give it as a gift.

Everyone will adore this peppermint bark mocha popcorn.

8. Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

Cinnamon popcorn is super easy to make and it is also a traditional flavor combination that can’t be beaten. Cinnamon sugar tastes good on just about everything, including popcorn.

Pop your popcorn and then mix it with a little melted butter. The butter will help the cinnamon sugar stick to the popcorn. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mix over the buttered popcorn and toss well. This is such a simple, sweet snack to make but the flavors are truly delicious. 

How to Season Your Freshly Popped Popcorn

In order to make perfect, gourmet popcorn, you need to know how to season popcorn the right way. There are a few tricks to getting the seasoning just right. 

The first thing you should do before seasoning popcorn is to toss the popcorn in a little melted butter. Melted butter will help dry seasonings stick to the popcorn better. Use salted butter which will give the popcorn an extra flavor boost. 

If you're adding sauces or melted syrups to your popped popcorn, stir them into the popcorn quickly while the sauce and popcorn are both still hot. This will help the sauces coat the popcorn evenly and get flavor into every, single bite. Just be sure to also let the popcorn sit for a few minutes before eating- you don’t want it to be so hot that it burns your mouth. 

Get More Snack Break Inspiration

There are so many amazing types of flavored gourmet popcorn to try. From savory flavors to sweet treat tastes, there really is a perfect popcorn for everyone. So pick a flavor and give it a try. You can really transform popcorn in just a few simple steps and make it into a whole new, irresistible snack. Enjoy.