How to Create the Ultimate Popcorn Snack Mix

Popcorn is one of the most beloved snack foods across the country. It is easy to make, inexpensive and always delicious. No one can resist a big bowl of popcorn. 

However, eating the same popcorn day after day can grow a little tiresome. Luckily there are tons of ways to shake up your snack and create a whole new popcorn experience. 

We have created the perfect sweet and salty popcorn mix that you can make in just 5 easy steps. Are you ready to make this amazing popcorn snack mix? Then let’s jump right in.

5 Steps to Create the Most Delicious Sweet & Salty Popcorn Mix Recipe

Popcorn snack mix is great because it is completely customizable. You can tweak the recipe and make it perfect for your taste buds. A personalized snack is the best snack.

You can make this sweet and salty popcorn recipe gluten-free, vegan or even low-fat. The prep time and total time for this recipe are also super short. It will take under 15 minutes to make the perfect popcorn snack mix. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Step 1: Start With Your Popcorn Base

The base of your recipe is popcorn, of course. However, there are a few things to consider when selecting your popcorn base. Do you want your popcorn to be sweet or salty? Do you want to make some low-fat air-popped popcorn or are you going to cook your popcorn in oil? And are you going to use microwave popcorn or pre-popped bagged popcorn? So many decisions.

We recommend using freshly popped popcorn that is made with just a tiny bit of salt. This is a great, neutral popcorn base for your popcorn. Air-popped popcorn is fantastic since it is the healthiest option but kernels popped in a little bit of nutritious coconut oil are also great.

If you do want to start with popcorn that has a little more flavor, try sprinkling your popcorn with some popcorn seasoning. Add a little cheddar cheese, garlic powder, or parmesan seasoning to your popped popcorn. You can also buy a bag of caramel corn to be the base of your snack mix. You can see how you can personalize your popcorn snack mix just by choosing your favorite base.

Step 2: Pick Your Favorite Salty Snack

Once you have your popcorn base, you are ready to add a little something salty. Almost any salty snack will pair perfectly with your popcorn. Our favorite snack to mix with popcorn is pretzels. Pretzel twists are the perfect size for grabbing and snacking but pretzel bites are also great. 

You can also mix salted nuts into your popcorn mix. Cashews, peanuts and almonds will all be delicious. Add some Goldfish, cheese puffs or really anything. A salty snack will add a tasty, alternative savory flavor and help balance out the sweet treats we will be adding later. 

Step 3: Include Some Sugary Sweets

Next up in our popcorn snack mix is the sugary sweets. Sweet flavors will balance the saltiness of the popcorn and help make the perfect, addictive popcorn. 

Some of our favorite sweet treats to add to the popcorn mix are mini marshmallows, candied fruit, gummy bears, or chocolate chips. You can really get creative at this step and personalize your snack mix to suit your tastes. Try making brown sugar caramel popcorn or just tossing in a few handfuls of Reese’s Pieces. 

Be mindful at this step as your popcorn mix can quickly go from healthy to unhealthy. A little bit of sweets goes a long way.

Step 4: Add in Some Chocolate

Chocolate and popcorn are an amazing combination. This is one ingredient that we really think you need. It truly completes the popcorn snack mix and makes it totally irresistible. 

First, decide what type of chocolate you’d like to add. Do you like white chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate? They are all tasty with popcorn.

Next, decided if you want to use chocolate candies like M&M’s or Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Adding candies is super easy as you can just toss them into the bowl. You can also use melted chocolate. Microwave some candy melts and drizzle them over the popcorn snack mix. The melted chocolate will completely coat your snack mix, giving you a little bit of sweetness in every bite.

Step 5: Mix in a Crunchy Snack

The most addictive snack mixes always have a crunchy element. Popcorn is already crunchy but adding something that is a little bit harder will make the texture of the snack mix truly perfect. Crunchy snacks will balance out the recipe and they can be either savory or sweet. 

Try mixing in Chex cereal, nuts or even some salad croutons. If you want a sweeter, crunchy treat, add M&M’s or freeze-dried berries. Personalize your popcorn snack mix to create the best movie night ever.

How Much Popcorn Mix Should You Be Eating?

Since popcorn snack mix doesn’t come in a pre-packaged bag with a nutrition label, it can be tricky to gauge how much popcorn to eat. There is no one around to tell you how many cups of homemade snack mix are in a serving. However, we can help you make a good estimate.

A serving of popcorn is about 4-5 cups. When you add gourmet popcorn toppings or mix-ins, the serving size goes down to 2 to 3 cups. This is because there is more snacks and treats in the bowl so you should probably be eating a little less.

When making your popcorn snack mix, remember that popcorn kernels will puff up as the cook. You need about 4 tablespoons of popcorn kernels to make 4 cups of popped popcorn.

Calories, total fat, carbohydrates, and cholesterol will also vary based on what else you put in your snack mix. If you add a lot of sweet treats, the calories, and sugar content will go up. Try to start with a low-cholesterol oil to pop your popcorn or use the air popper to make your popcorn base low-fat.

How to Properly Store Your Popcorn Mix

Once your popcorn mix is created, you can store it in an airtight container. Popcorn should stay fresh for up to two weeks. Keep it in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cabinet. You will have a ready-to-eat snack for lunch, mid-day or even to enjoy as a dessert for days.

Get More Snacking Inspiration with Popsmith

Try making your own amazing popcorn snack mix today. Let us know what you put in and how your sweet, salty treat turns out. Be sure to check back here often as we at Popsmith are always coming up with new popcorn recipes and ways to make your popcorn snacks exciting. You can learn a lot about popcorn with us. Enjoy.