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Elevate Your Snack Game with Homemade Honey-Mustard Popcorn

Creating the Perfect Popcorn

Popping popcorn in a substantial amount of oil yields exceptional results. A light seasoning of the kernels before popping helps to ensure an even distribution of salt once the popcorn is ready.

While you might think drenching your popcorn with liquid honey and mustard could suffice, this method would inevitably result in soggy, unappetizing popcorn. Instead, following the approaches used by snack manufacturers, a dry honey-mustard seasoning blend offers a far superior alternative.

Why It Works

I’ve developed a dry honey-mustard seasoning mix, which includes powdered honey, dry mustard, buttermilk powder, citric acid, and a few other ingredients. The resulting flavor closely resembles that of Snyder’s honey-mustard pretzels. By simply popping your corn and tossing it with this homemade seasoning, you can enhance your movie night or any casual snack with an exciting twist.

Here are a couple of essential notes to keep in mind regarding this straightforward recipe:

• Utilizing an ample amount of oil during the popping process creates popcorn that is fluffy and crisp. This method not only improves the texture but allows for a thin layer of fat that helps the dry seasoning adhere effectively. Air-popped popcorn struggles to hold onto the seasoning as well.
• While real honey adds a delightful taste, the powdered form lacks the full depth of flavor. You may want to add a light drizzle of liquid honey after seasoning for an extra burst of sweetness. This will make your popcorn stickier but often much tastier.

Homemade Honey-Mustard Popcorn Recipe

To prepare this simple yet delicious snack, follow these steps:

In a large pot, combine oil, popcorn kernels, and a pinch of salt. Cover the pot and place it over medium-high heat. Shake the pot frequently until the popcorn begins to pop. Once the popping slows down to intervals of a few seconds, remove it from the heat. Allow it to sit until popping ceases completely, then transfer the popcorn to a large serving bowl.

Immediately sprinkle the honey-mustard seasoning mixture over the hot popcorn, tossing it to ensure even coating. If desired, add more salt and a drizzle of liquid honey before serving.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This popcorn, once popped and seasoned, can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. It is crucial not to pop the corn too far in advance; the seasoning adheres best when the popcorn is fresh and warm.

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