How to Make Red Hot Honey Popcorn

What’s sweeter than honey and best shared with a friend? Hot honey popcorn. This snack combines the natural sweetness of honey with just enough spice to wake up your taste buds, creating one addicting treat that will leave you speechless.

Ready to turn up the heat? Grab your Popper and let’s get poppin’:

Hot Honey Popcorn Ingredients

• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• 2 tablespoons oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Sriracha or your favorite brand)
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Hot Honey Popcorn Directions

Step 1: Heat

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

Step 2: Pour Oil and Kernels

Pour oil into the pot and toss in 3 kernels. When the first one pops, add the remaining kernels then cover the Popper.

Step 3: Crank

Turn the Popper’s crank clockwise as the kernels pop. This prevents burnt and unpopped kernels.

Step 4: Remove

When popping slows, take the Popper off the heat and remove the lid.

Step 5: Make Hot Honey Popcorn Sauce

Combine honey and butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low until butter melts. Then stir in the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool for about a minute.

Step 6: Drizzle

Drizzle the hot honey popcorn sauce over the popcorn. Then cover the Popper and shake it or crank it a few more times to coat the kernels evenly.

Step 7: Serve

Pour your hot honey popcorn into a big bowl and enjoy! 

More Hot Honey Popcorn Tips

• Feel free to make this hot honey popcorn your own. If it’s not spicy enough, add more cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. You can also experiment with different hot sauces to change up the flavor profile.  

• Toss in some bacon bits, pretzels, or nuts for extra crispiness. 

• Have leftovers? Store the popcorn in an airtight container and eat within 3 days. Baking it for about 5 minutes will turn it crunchy again. Just preheat your oven to 250°F, spread the leftover popcorn on a baking sheet, and toss it mid-bake for even heating. 

Bring On the Sweet Heat 

If this hot honey popcorn isn’t a conversation starter, we don’t know what is. It makes a great game night or party snack — just don’t forget to have ice-cold drinks within reach. Fair warning, though: once your friends try this sweet-and-spicy combo, they might start inviting themselves over more often!

Want more spicy popcorn ideas? Visit our blog for popcorn recipes and snacking inspiration.