Transform your movie night or midday snack break with this bold and flavorful Zippy Italian Popcorn recipe! Made with freshly popped kernels tossed in a rich blend of melted butter, zesty Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a kick of red pepper flakes, this savory treat is elevated further with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Itβs an easy, 15-minute snack that offers the perfect balance of crunchy, cheesy, and spicy, guaranteed to impress your taste buds. Whether youβre hosting a casual gathering or simply craving something out of the ordinary, this Italian-inspired popcorn will be your new go-to for a quick, crowd-pleasing treat.
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2-3 popcorn kernels to test the oil temperature. Once the test kernels pop, the oil is ready.
Add the remaining 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels to the pot and cover it with a lid. Shake the pot occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent burning.
Once the popping slows to about 2-3 seconds between pops, remove the pot from the heat and set aside. Carefully transfer the popped popcorn to a large mixing bowl.
In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over low heat. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir well to combine and let the flavors infuse for 1-2 minutes.
Drizzle the seasoned butter mixture over the popcorn, tossing gently to coat the popcorn evenly.
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the popcorn while tossing to ensure every piece gets covered in cheesy, zesty goodness.
Serve immediately and enjoy your Zippy Italian Popcorn as a crunchy, flavorful snack!
Calories |
811 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.3 g | 76% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.0 g | 115% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 82 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 833 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57.1 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.2 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.8 g | ||
| Protein | 16.8 g | 34% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 255 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 236 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.