Spice up your snack game with our easy recipes for homemade popcorn seasonings you can make with kids. From DIY cheesy popcorn to sweet treats, these simple kid-friendly recipes for popcorn sprinkles are perfect for parties, easy DIY gifts, or cozy movie nights at home. Learn how to mix and match flavors that will make your popcorn pop for a fun kids cooking activity!
I’ve been into all-things MOVIE lately, and especially with the Oscars coming up it seemed like it was the perfect time to spice up my favorite go-to movie snack.
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Using popcorn seasoning mixing as an activity is an easy way to give kids a little freedom to whip up their own concoctions in the kitchen.
You also have an opportunity to cater it to exactly the kind of cooking experience you’re looking for. Stick to dry ingredients only, or add a little melted butter (I always recommend a little butter!). Easily make a single serving in few minutes, or spend some time mixing up a bundle of packaged popcorn seasonings for gifts or to stash away for later.
I experimented with a few different kid flavor favorites to streamline the process, making it simple for you to set up and recreate with kids. And of course, you can take it it further by tweaking the seasonings to fit your family’s specific tastes.
So here are three simple, kid-friendly recipes – fun for kids to mix on their own, with minimal supervision required – to add a little flair to your own movie-watching fare…
To make homemade popcorn seasoning mixes you’ll need:
MAC AND CHEESE POPCORN SEASONING INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoon cheese powder (cheddar, asiago, parmesan, etc. – I like this dye-free kind)
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika (optional for taste + color)
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder (optional)
CINNAMON SPICE POPCORN SEASONING INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY POPCORN SEASONING INGREDIENTS:
POPCORN INGREDIENTS:
- Popcorn (1 bag or 4-5 cups of popped popcorn)
- Butter (1-2 tablespoons per bag/4 cups of popcorn)
- Salt to taste
KITCHEN SUPPLIES:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoons or whisks
- Paper bags or a large bowl with a lid
- Jars (like this 8 oz. set) or resealable bags
- Labels and markers
- Small bowls or paper cups
For one standard-sized bag of popcorn (which typically contains about 2 to 3 ounces of popcorn and is roughly equivalent to 4 to 5 cups of popped popcorn), we use about 2-3 tablespoons of seasoning.
Of course, this amount can vary depending on how flavorful you want your popcorn or the intensity of the seasoning mix itself.
To fill an 8 oz. spice jar or container you’ll want to make about 1 cup of popcorn seasoning (enough for roughly 6-8 bags of popcorn).
How to Make Popcorn Seasoning Mixes With Kids – DIY Instructions
Lay out the ingredients.
Before starting, gather all ingredients, measuring tools, and equipment needed for the activity.
Set up a child-friendly workstation – keeping all the necessary tools and ingredients easily within kids’ reach. Use containers and utensils that are appropriately sized for small hands.
Provide clear labels (pictorial instructions can often be helpful for younger cooks too!) to guide kids through the steps independently.
Encourage kids to smell the different spices and seasonings, talk about the textures, and do a bit of taste-testing before beginning.
Measure and Mix!
Provide spoons or small whisks for children to mix their seasoning blends.
If you’re working with kids new to cooking, this activity provides a wonderful introduction to measuring using spoons and cups. You can explain the differences between sizes and how each corresponds to a specific amount.
It’s also a great opportunity to work on pouring skills and the transfer of dry ingredients. Instead of measuring cups, you can pre-measure the ingredients and set them out in small pitchers or containers.
Melt butter.
For one standard-sized bag of popcorn (or about 4 to 5 cups of popped popcorn), a good starting point for melted butter is about 1 to 2 tablespoons. This amount ensures the popcorn is evenly coated without becoming soggy.
1 tablespoon of melted butter for a lighter coating, enhancing the popcorn’s flavor without making it too greasy.
2 tablespoons for a richer taste and a better coating of seasoning on the popcorn.
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe container, assisting younger kids to prevent spills or burns.
Pop the popcorn.
Pop the popcorn using your preferred method.
Sprinkle or combine in a paper bag.
If you’ve popped your own corn, transfer it into a paper bag. Pour the melted butter over the popcorn, then add the seasoning mix. The amount of butter and seasoning can vary based on preference, but start with one to two teaspoons of seasoning for a standard bag of popcorn.
Once all ingredients are in the bag, fold the top of the bag over a few times and give it some good shakes (a kid fave!).
Serve and share!
You can pour your popcorn into a serving bowl, or just eat it straight out of the bag. I added a bit of a movie-theater feel by adding some red paint stripes onto tall paper cups (an extra-wide paint marker works great for super quick, mess-free painting).
Package for later and clean up.
I’m always on the lookout for things kids can make to use as favors or small gifts, and popcorn seasoning is a favorite. You can package your seasonings in spice jars or small resealable bags, inviting kids to also add details like ribbons or hand-made labels and tags.
Once done, pull out the kid-sized hand brooms or cloths for wiping down surfaces.
Tips for Popcorn Seasoning Mixing With Kids:
- Provide Aprons: Have kids wear aprons or old t-shirts to protect their clothes.
- Don’t Forget the Hand Washing: Encourage washing hands before and after the activity to keep both the cooking area (and the kids!) clean.
- Safety First: Any activity involving heat, such as popping popcorn or melting butter requires adult supervision. Teach kids the importance of handling hot items carefully.
- Simplify Measurements: As mentioned, for younger children, you can pre-measure ingredients or use simple terms to explain measurements. Consider using visual cues, like filling a measuring spoon and leveling it off together.
- Use Clear Instructions: Provide step-by-step instructions (visuals are a bonus for little ones!) Especially for kids who haven’t had as much kitchen experience, breaking down the steps into simple, easy-to-understand tasks can be very helpful.
- Be Aware of Allergies: Be mindful of any food allergies among the children participating, ensuring that all ingredients used are safe for everyone involved.
5 More Simple Popcorn Seasoning Recipes Kids Will Love:
These seasoning mixes offer a range of flavors from savory to sweet, with something to suit every young palate!
I recommend mixing small batches FIRST to see how you like the flavors, especially if you plan on gifting these. The mixtures that appeal to kids may not fit *everyone’s* tastes – ha!
And one last quick note: I go very light with the salt so, again, depending on your preferences, you may need to add a pinch more.
1. Parmesan Garlic Popcorn Seasoning
- For a single popcorn bag: 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
- To fill an 8-ounce jar: 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Pizza Popcorn Seasoning
- For a single popcorn bag: 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese.
- To fill an 8-ounce jar: 1/4 cup dried oregano, 1/4 cup garlic powder, 1/4 cup dried basil 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Puppy Chow Popcorn Seasoning
- For a single popcorn bag: 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon powdered peanut butter, and a pinch of salt.
- To fill an 8-ounce jar: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup powdered peanut butter, 1 teaspoon of salt.
4. S’mores Popcorn Seasoning
- For a single popcorn bag: 1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
- To fill an 8-ounce jar: 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of salt.
5. Sour Cream & Onion Popcorn Seasoning
- For a single popcorn bag: 1 tablespoon powdered buttermilk, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried parsley or dill, and a pinch of salt.
- To fill an 8-ounce jar: 1/2 cup powdered buttermilk, 1/2 cup onion powder, 1/2 cup dried parsley or dill, 1 teaspoon of salt.
Using This Activity to Encourage Your Child’s Interest in Cooking
You can leverage the fun of mixing up your own seasonings to spark even more culinary exploration. Here are some strategies to further your budding chef’s interest in cooking through this activity:
1. Customize Seasoning Blends
Allow children to experiment with creating their own seasoning blends. You can lay out small bowls of various spices or ingredients and let them go to town. And of course, once they’ve hit on a mixture they like, they can give their creation a one-of-a-kind name.
2. Emphasize Sensory Experiences
Talk about the smells, tastes, and textures of different seasonings. Ask children to describe what they observe – a great way to work on descriptive language skills.
3. Incorporate Educational Elements
Use the activity to teach about the origins of different spices, or the science behind why popcorn pops (check out the popcorn book list below for a few resources you can use).
4. Make It a Group Project
Because everything’s more fun with friends! Whether you’re trying this as a classroom activity, or providing slumber party entertainment, mixing up popcorn sprinkles to taste test and take home is always a crowd-pleaser.
Popcorn Picture Books for Snacktime Stories
Once you’re done in the kitchen, pair your sweet and savory snacks with a popcorn picture book! Here are a few of my favorites…
- Popcorn by Alex Moran: An entertaining, nearly wordless picture book very young readers will love about the joys of making and eating popcorn.
- Pop Pop Pop! by Catherine Baker: for early readers
- Popcorn by Frank Asch: A classic tale of a bear who makes so much popcorn that it fills the whole house, perfect for young readers with big imaginations.
- Popcorn vs Nacho by Nation Chapman:
- Let’s Pop, Pop, Popcorn! by Cynthia Schumerth: A cheerful book that takes children through the process of growing corn and making it into popcorn, with vibrant illustrations to match.
- Pop!: Otto, the Kernel Who Didn’t Pop by Karen Kilpatrick:
- Popcorn! by Elaine Landau: This non-fiction book provides a fun exploration of the history of popcorn and its role in American culture, complete with bright illustrations.
- The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola: Tomie dePaola combines humor and facts in this classic book, telling the story of two brothers making popcorn while sharing interesting popcorn trivia.
Note: Revisiting a few favorites I remember from my *own* childhood in the 80s and 90s, I was happy to see some new editions of books like Frank Asch’s “Popcorn” and “The Popcorn Book” that have received refreshes featuring edited illustrations and/or revised text reviewed by Indigenous consultants.
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