Honey Popcorn

Honey popcorn is so much easier and just as delicious.

I loved the crispy texture and always looked forward to the bedtime snack.

This honey-coated popcorn reminds me of caramel corn.

Close-up: honey popcorn (filling up the entire photo)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Honey popcorn also lasts for five days, so go ahead and make it ahead of time.

But if you have microwave, bagged, or air-popped popcorn, you might still make this recipe!

Start with 10 cups of popped popcorn, which is one microwave bag or 1/2 cup popcorn kernels.

Close-up: honey popcorn (filling up the entire photo)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Pop and pour it into a big bowl.

Make the honey and butter mixture in a small pot.

Pour it over the popcorn and stir until well coated.

Hand grabbing some of the honey popcorn from a bowl filled with honey popcorn, and in the surroundings, two glasses of pink lemonade and a pink table napkin

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Continue with the recipe as directed.

Flavor Variations

It’s Raining Popcorn!

Heat the oil in a large stockpot on medium-high heat and add 3 popcorn kernels to the pot.

Kernels poured into a large pot with melted butter for honey popcorn recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Once the popcorn kernels pop, add the remaining kernels and cover.

Remove from the heat and let it rest for 30 seconds.

Step away from the pot while the popcorn is popping.

Popcorn in the large pot for honey popcorn recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Slowly pour the popcorn onto the baking sheet, keeping unpopped kernels in the pot.

Look through the popped popcorn and remove any additional unpopped kernels.

Wipe out the pot and set it back on the stove.

Popcorn on a parchment paper lined tray next to a bowl with unpoped kernels for honey popcorn recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Add the honey and butter to the pot and heat on low.

Stir with a flexible spatula and simmer for 1 minute.

Use the parchment as a sling to pour the popcorn into the pot.

Cubes of butter and honey in the large pot for honey popcorn recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Return the parchment paper to the baking sheet.

The popcorn will be a glossy golden-yellow color.

Dump the coated popcorn back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it out evenly with a flexible spatula.

Popcorn folded into the melted honey butter mixture in the large pot, using a rubber spatula for honey popcorn recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, if using.

The popcorn will end up chewy and soft if not baked long enough.

It becomes even crispier as it cools.

Pot of honey popcorn with a spatula

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Let the popcorn cool for 15 minutes, then break the popcorn into bite-sized chunks or individual kernels.

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Honey popcorn spread onto the parchment paper lined baking tray (before baking)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Baked honey popcorn stirred using a rubber spatula (still on the baking tray)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Baked honey popcorn on the parchment paper lined baking tray

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Bowl of honey popcorn surrounded by glasses of pink lemonade, a pink table napkin, and a few pieces of popcorn on the counter

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

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Close-up: honey popcorn (filling up the entire photo)

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