Butter is good, but brown butter? It’s pure golden magic! From cookies to pie and especially popcorn, it makes everything taste next-level delicious.
It’s all because of the Maillard reaction. When you cook butter past its melting point, the milk solids turn brown and caramelize. It’s just like what happens when you sear a steak or toast bread — you get nutty, complex flavors your taste buds can’t get enough of.
Drizzled over popcorn with toasted pecans sprinkled on top, it’s a homemade gourmet snack that’s surprisingly easy to make with your Popper.
Now read on for our brown butter pecan popcorn recipe:
Brown Butter Pecan Popcorn Ingredients
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½ cup popping corn
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2 tablespoons coconut oil
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½ cup butter
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1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
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3 tablespoons brown sugar
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Brown Butter Pecan Popcorn Directions
Step 1: Preheat
Set your stove to medium heat and let your Popper preheat for 1-2 minutes.
Step 2: Add Oil and Kernels
Add coconut oil into the Popper and drop 3 test kernels. When the first kernel pops, pour in the rest and cover the pot.
Step 3: Pop
Turn the Popsmith’s crank clockwise while the kernels pop to prevent burning.
Step 4: Remove
When popping slows to 1-2 seconds between pops, take the Popper off the heat and spread the popcorn on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Toast Pecans
Toast pecans in a large skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Then transfer the pecans to a plate and set aside.
Step 6: Brown the Butter
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Keep stirring for around 3-5 minutes until it turns foamy. Watch closely — when you notice the color starts turning a golden brown, remove immediately from heat and pour into a small bowl.
PRO TIP: Use a light-colored pan so that it’s easier to see the change in color.
Step 7: Make Brown Butter Coating
Stir in brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon into the brown butter until the sugar dissolves. Then add the toasted pecans and mix well.
Step 8: Coat Popcorn
Pour the brown butter pecan mixture over your popcorn and toss with a spatula or spoon until evenly coated.
Step 9: Dig In
Wait for your brown butter pecan popcorn to cool slightly and enjoy!
More Brown Butter Pecan Popcorn Tips
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Don’t have pecans on hand? Almonds, walnuts, and cashews work just fine.
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Give your popcorn a spicy twist by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the brown butter mixture. The heat pairs surprisingly well with the nutty, caramelized flavors.
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Stash any leftover popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature and eat it within 3 days. If it loses its crunch, baking it at 250°F for 5-7 minutes should help.
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This popcorn makes a great homemade gift for the holidays or any special occasion. Package it in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, mason jars, or colorful tins.
Butter Up Your Day
Just like making popcorn on the stovetop instead of on the microwave, browning butter requires a bit more effort than simply melting it.
But those few extra minutes make a massive difference in flavor profile — one bite of brown butter pecan popcorn will convince you it’s absolutely worth it. Serve it at your next movie night or holiday party and watch it disappear fast.
Don’t have a Popsmith yet? Grab a Popper and our premium popping corn now and discover just how easy (and fun) stovetop popcorn can be!
