There are only a handful of situations in which plain or lightly salted popcorn is better than flavored. Game nights are one, the nights that you want to grab a handful or two of popcorn while someone else takes their turn without getting cheesy fingerprints on all the game pieces. These popcorn seasonings are for all those other nights. With some of these, your fingertips may get a little stained with cheesy, spicy goodness. But that’s okay. Embrace the messiness, and know that the flavor more than makes up for it.
For each gift box, you will need:
1 gift box (I used a 6″ x 6″ x 2″ box)
Tissue paper
3 spice jars
Paper, washi tape, tags, twine and/or ribbons for labeling the jars
3 popcorn seasonings (recipes follow)
Popcorn kernels
Putting the box together is simple. Layer tissue paper along the bottom of the box. Fill and label each jar, then nestle them into the gift box. Add a bag of popcorn seasonings, and tie the gift box shut.
Alternatively, if you know that your giftee already has popcorn in their kitchen, give them a fourth jar of seasoning in their gift box.
Smoky Curried Popcorn Seasoning
Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning: Mix together 5 parts granulated sugar and 1 part ground cinnamon.
This recipe makes enough to fill one 4-ounce spice jar, but can easily be scaled up to make as many gifts as you need. To make four gifts, for instance, multiply all ingredient amounts by four.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons cheddar cheese powder
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Sprinkle over lightly oiled or buttered popcorn.
This recipe makes enough to fill one 4-ounce spice jar, and is easily scaled up to make multiple gifts.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Romano cheese powder
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Sprinkle over lightly oiled or buttered popcorn.
Sources for the cheese powders:
King Arthur Flour (cheddar only)
This is awesome. I hope I can find someone to give it to, because it looks so easy and fun!
What a great holiday gift idea! I always loved those popcorn tins with 3 different flavors. Yum!
Great idea!!! Regarding the cinnamon sugar though, I think you meant to write 5 parts sugar, 1 part cinnamon…. oops! Easy mistake to make, I almost repeated it here!
Good catch! I’ll change it right now…that would be some spicy popcorn!
What a fantastic idea!
It’s so hard to think of healthier treats to give people for the holidays. I think everyone has cookie-fatigue haha
This is a great idea! I’ve been looking for something to give to my mom for Christmas. She loves popcorn and will definitely be finding this under the tree this year!