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A bowl of popcorn sprinkled with seasoning sits on a tiled surface, surrounded by glasses of white wine, a bottle of wine, a corkscrew, and a marble board with chunks of cheese and a small dish of salt.
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Spicy Parmesan Popcorn

Recipe Date: May 7, 2026
Yield: 4 Servings
Prep: PT10M 10 minutes | Cook: 2 minutes
Total Time: PT12M 12 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Measurements: Imperial (US)

This spicy Parmesan popcorn is a quick, flavor-packed snack that brings together buttery, freshly popped kernels with a bold blend of garlic, cayenne, and chili flakes, finished with savory Parmigiano‑Reggiano. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfectly balanced with heat and richness—ideal for movie nights, casual entertaining, or whenever you crave a gourmet twist on classic popcorn.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ½ cup popcorn kernels
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated

Preparation

  1. In a large pot, add coconut oil and allow to melt over high heat. Drop in 2-3 popcorn kernels – once these pop, you’ll know the oil is hot enough to add the rest of the kernels.
  2. While the oil is heating up, combine the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, and Parmigiano-Reggiano in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. When the oil is hot, add in ½ cup of popcorn kernels and place the lid in the pot. Gently swirl the kernels for about 20 seconds to coat them in the oil and place back on the burner. When about half the kernels have popped, after 1 minute, adjust the lid to allow steam to escape. Gently shake the pot to allow unpopped kernels to reach the bottom of the pot and prevent burning. Once all the popcorn has popped, pour into a large bowl.
  4. Pour the melted butter over the popcorn, followed by the cheesy spice blend. Toss to evenly coat and serve.
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