Remember the bacon popcorn recipe we shared a while back?
Well, we’re making something similar today. Only this time around, we’re adding maple syrup to the mix. The result is pure magic — maple bacon popcorn offers layers of flavor you won’t get enough of. Especially when you cook it in your Popper.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, so let’s dive right in:
Maple Bacon Ingredients
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½ cup kernels
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6-8 strips thick-cut bacon (you’ll need about 3 tablespoons of rendered fat)
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¼ cup pure maple syrup
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3 tablespoons butter
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ teaspoon smoked paprika
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¼ teaspoon salt
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⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Maple and Bacon Directions
Step 1: Cook Bacon
Set your stove to medium heat and let the Popper preheat for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add bacon strips and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally until crispy. Remove the strips, let cool on paper towels, and chop into small pieces.
Leave all the rendered bacon fat on the Popsmith.
Step 2: Add Kernels
Drop 2 to 3 kernels into the Popper. When the first one pops, toss in the rest of the kernels and cover the pot.
Step 3: Turn and Pop
Turn the Popsmith’s crank clockwise while the kernels pop to prevent burning. Remove from heat when popping slows to 1-2 seconds between pops and pour the popcorn into a huge bowl.
Step 4: Make Maple Glaze
Pour about a tablespoon of the remaining bacon fat from the Popper into a small saucepan. Add in the maple syrup, butter, vanilla extract, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and has slightly thickened.
Step 5: Combine
Drizzle the warm maple glaze over the popcorn and give the bowl a good toss to coat evenly. Then add the bacon bits and toss again.
Step 6: Serve
Enjoy your maple bacon popcorn for movie night, an outdoor party, or game day viewing party!
More Maple Bacon Popcorn Tips
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Pure maple syrup works best for this popcorn recipe. You want that authentic maple flavor — pancake syrup doesn’t do it justice.
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This maple bacon popcorn is already amazing on its own, but you can add toasted walnuts or pecans for extra texture.
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While this snack is best fresh, you can store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container for up to 2 days. (But let’s be honest, you’ll scarf it all down before then.)
Bacon the Rules
Sometimes the best recipes come from throwing the rulebook out the window.
It’s definitely the case for popcorn! While you can never go wrong with buttery popcorn, trying recipes like this maple bacon popcorn means more variety on movie night and taste buds that will never grow bored.
Want more popcorn recipes that break the mold? Browse through our blog for inspiration! You’ll find stuff like hot dog popcorn, beef brisket flavored popcorn, and rocky road popcorn — all of which you can make using your Popsmith.
