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19 Spins On Popcorn Your Pop (Get It?) Will Love This Father's Day (& All Year Long)

Hot tip: mix & match for the ultimate in sweet-salty snack bliss.

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popcorn covered with ranch and buffalo sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Look, we're all for a simple bag of store-bought microwave or pre-popped popcorn... some days, we even prefer it for its convenience and perfectly buttery flavor. BUT! There's definitely some occasions where we crave a snack that's just a little bit more. If you can relate, this list of 20 upgraded popcorn recipes is for you. Whether you ned a celebratory snack, need something to share with your dad pop (get it?) this Father's Day, want to upgrade your Sunday popcorn dinner (it's a thing!), or just want to jazz up your next movie night, we've got tons of options for you here. Our greatest advice? Get creative, and have fun with it!

1

Pizza Popcorn

popcorn with mini pepperoni
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Packed with pepperoni, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes, this pizza popcorn can almost double as a meal. Okay, not really, unless you're a Sunday night popcorn dinner type of person. One thing I can guarantee? This is the best way to upgrade this classic salty snack.

Get the Pizza Popcorn recipe.

2

Caramel Popcorn

caramel popcorn
ANDREW BUI

Making from-scratch caramel corn couldn't be easier, but don't be hesitated to rush it—baking at a low temperature for about an hour is key to popcorn with that irresistible sweet crunch.

Get the Caramel Popcorn recipe.

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3

Taco Night Popcorn

popcorn with taco seasoning
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Who said Taco Tuesday has to be limited to just tacos? You might think that we're using taco seasoning here, but the secret ingredient is even better—crushed Doritos. The Doritos not only give heaps of flavor to the buttered popcorn, but also add a welcome slightly crunchy texture.

Get the Taco Night Popcorn recipe.

4

Birthday Cake Popcorn

popcorn with sprinkles
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Plain ol' popcorn is great, but maybe not worthy of a celebration—this cake mix hack turns it into something special, perfect for birthdays, baby showers, holidays... you name it!

Get the Birthday Cake Popcorn recipe.

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5

Dill Pickle Popcorn

popcorn with dill pickle seasoning
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Whether you're a pickle fan or are just looking for a new way to enjoy the classic salty snack, this pickle-inspired popcorn is the answer. Wondering about the citric acid? This is what will deliver that tangy bite we're looking for when it comes to pickle flavor—don't skip it if possible.

Get the Dill Pickle Popcorn recipe.

6

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

popcorn covered in cinnamon and a sugar glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Forget caramel corn—cinnamon bun popcorn is the sweet snack you need. This classic movie snack gets an extra sweet upgrade with the addition of a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and a simple powdered sugar glaze.

Get the Cinnamon Bun Popcorn recipe.

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7

Sushi Popcorn

sushi popcorn
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This sushi-inspired popcorn is flavored with a mix of Japanese seasonings like togarashi (a chile blend) and crumbled nori (dried seaweed). The result is an umami-packed salty snack that will have you skipping ordering that sushi takeout.

Get the Sushi Popcorn recipe.

8

Stovetop Popcorn

stovetop popcorn

Want freshly popped popcorn in a flash? Try this easy stovetop technique! The resulting popcorn is light and crisp—all it needs is your signature popcorn seasoning. (We love nutritional yeast, paprika, and lots of salt, but you do you.)

Get the Stovetop Popcorn recipe.

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9

Buffalo Ranch Popcorn

popcorn covered with ranch and buffalo sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

By all accounts, this shouldn't be good: popcorn covered in Buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning? Trust us and taste it—then you'll understand. It's a little spicy, a little salty, and a LOT buttery., but you won't care once you've already eaten half the bowl and are licking your fingers.

Get the Buffalo Ranch Popcorn recipe.

10

Kettle Corn

kettle corn, sweet and salty popcorn
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Kettle corn is popcorn that is cooked or mixed with sugar and salt. The combination makes for an delicious sweet snack that’s perfect for movie night, an afternoon sugar craving, or on the snack table at your next picnic or BBQ. Now you don’t have to wait for the carnival to come back to town!

Get the Kettle Corn recipe.

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11

Steak Seasoning Popcorn

steak popcorn seasoning on top of a bowl of popcorn
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Here we combine classic steak seasoning ingredients to create this popcorn seasoning, which will upgrade not only your stovetop popcorn (or store-bought in a pinch), but any salty snack you want to add layers of flavors to.

Get the Steak Seasoning Popcorn recipe.

12

Cookie Monster Popcorn

cookie monster popcorn
Delish

♪ C is for cookie (popcorn)...♪ and that's WAY more than good enough for us. Eyeball sprinkles are optional, but really, why wouldn't you?

Get the Cookie Monster Popcorn recipe.

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13

Popcorn Balls

popcorn balls
CHELSEA LUPKIN

We’ve made it popcorn in every flavor under the sun– taco, oreo, even birthday cake– but when we really want to take it to the next level, we turn it into homemade popcorn balls. Crunchy, chewy, salty, sweet– these popcorn balls have got it all going on.

Get the Popcorn Balls recipe.

14

Everything Bagel Popcorn

Everything Bagel Popcorn
Ethan Calabrese

Obsessed with everything bagel seasoning? Yeah, us too! We already know it's great for breakfast, but turns out, it adds the perfect crunch and flavor to your midnight snacks too.

Get the Everything Bagel Popcorn recipe.

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15

Campfire Popcorn

campfire cupcakes
Chelsea Lupkin

Popping popcorn over a campfire is just as easy as making it on the stovetop and way more fun. Get your favorite seasonings and a summer cocktail and watch a movie outside!

Get the Campfire Popcorn recipe.

16

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

Peppermint Bark Popcorn
Erika LaPresto

Still making your way through the peppermint bark you were gifted over the holidays? This chocolate-mint popcorn is the best way to use it up. Try adding holiday sprinkles for a little extra color too!

Get the Peppermint Bark Popcorn recipe.

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17

Easter Bunny Popcorn Bars

easter bunny popcorn bars with marshmallow sprinkles cadbury egg
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

These easy, customizable popcorn bars are perfect for any and all of your favorite candy mix-ins. We love Cadbury eggs for the creamy milk chocolate, while Robin's Eggs provide some malted crunch, but these are great year-round with whatever you can find in the candy aisle.

Get the Easter Bunny Popcorn Bars recipe.

18

Oreo Popcorn

Oreo Popcorn
Chelsea Lupkin

Obsessed with popcorn and Oreos, but never thought to have them together? Today's the day to marry your two loves together.

Get the Oreo Popcorn recipe.

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19

Pro Tip: Stick to one color of Peeps, so the colors don't mix together, forming a grayish sauce.

Peeps Popcorn
Ethan Calabrese

This homemade popcorn (microwave or stovetop works!) is like cookies & cream-flavored popcorn taken to the next level. We recommend sticking with one flavor of Peeps so the colors don't muddle, but feel free to add extra color with other fun Easter candies—ours has mini chocolate bunnies and pastel M&Ms, but anything will work!

Get the Peeps Popcorn recipe.

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