Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Craving a flavorful snack? Try this Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn recipe for a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Yum!

A white serving bowl filled with popcorn.

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I love popcorn. It’s almost always the snack I reach for first. And for just about any time of day. Afternoons, evenings, while watching television, or while playing a game with the grandkids. More often than not, it’s just a good old bowl of popcorn with butter and salt. But every once in a while, I like to fancy it up a little bit like I did with this Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn.

I read somewhere that homemade popcorn is the new cupcakes. In other words, the up-and-coming hot new trend in the food world. I think that’s funny. I’d call it a good old staple that’s enjoying a revival.

I’ve seen all kinds of spiced, sweetened, caramelized, candied popcorn on the internet recently. Those all sound good, but this Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn is my favorite. It’s coated with garlic-infused butter and sprinkled with a blend of dried herbs, celery seed, and salt. Besides being a tasty snack, it’s also an interesting and slightly quirky item to offer guests with a cocktail.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

The garlic and butter create a mouthwatering aroma that’ll have everyone craving this treat from the moment they walk through the door.
Each bite combines rich buttery goodness with a tasty blend of dried herbs and celery seed, elevating this popcorn to a whole new level.
Great for any occasion, from watching your favorite show to hosting a party or simply sneaking a late night snack.

🛒 Ingredient Notes

All ingredients required for the recipe.

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Butter – The traditional topping for popcorn. We’re just bumping it up a notch here.
Canola Oil – Used together with the butter for popping the corn.
Garlic Cloves – They’ll infuse the butter with their delicious garlicky essence.
Popcorn Kernels – Make sure you have fresh, high-quality popcorn kernels for the best results.
Herbes de Provence or Dried Herbs – Herbes de Provence add a delightful French twist, but you can also use dried Italian seasoning if you prefer.
Celery Seed – Combined with the herbs, celery seed adds an interesting earthy flavor.
Salt – What’s popcorn without salt! It enhances and balances all the other flavors.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🥄 How to Make Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn

Garlic and butter cooking in a skillet. — STEP 1.

Start out with a large pan that has a tightly fitting lid. Over medium heat, melt the butter and add the garlic cloves. Allow the garlic to infuse into the butter for 3-4 minutes or longer, being careful not to let the garlic start to burn.
Remove the garlic from the pan and discard it.
Add the oil and increase to medium-high heat.
Add the popcorn and cover the pan. As the popcorn pops, shake the pan occasionally to distribute the butter throughout the kernels and to prevent the corn from scorching.

Popped corn in a skillet with herbs and salt set to the side. — STEP 5.

Skillet covered with a lid to faciliate shaking and mixing the contents. — STEP 5.

When most of the kernels have popped, remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle over the herbs, celery seed, and salt.
Put the lid back on and shake the pan vigorously to distribute the herbs throughout the popcorn.

A white serving bowl filled with popped corn.

⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips

If the garlic starts to get too brown, remove it immediately to prevent a bitter taste.
Make sure the lid is tightly closed while popping so the kernels don’t shoot all over the kitchen.
Shake the pan often to distribute the butter and stop the popcorn from burning.

🔀 Recipe Variations

For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Turn the recipe into garlic Parmesan popcorn by tossing in a couple of tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan cheese.
Toss in a few toasted nuts for added crunch. Pecans, peanuts, and pistachios are great mix-ins.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

I often serve this along with pre-dinner drinks, as a snack option on a casual buffet, at a football tailgate, or for family movie night.

🍚 How I Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. It’s great at room temperature or reheated in the microwave for a few seconds.

❓ Questions About Garlic Butter Popcorn

Can I use microwave popcorn for this recipe?

While you could possibly use microwave popcorn as a shortcut, I do recommend using loose popcorn for the best results. However, if convenience is your priority, you can use plain microwave popcorn and then season it with melted butter, garlic powder, and herb mixture for a similar, though slightly different, effect.

Is there a dairy-free alternative to butter for this popcorn?

Sure! If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, substitute the butter with a high-quality dairy-free margarine or a plant-based butter alternative. There are some excellent options available that mimic the taste and texture of real butter.

What herbs work best for seasoning this popcorn?

My choice is herbes de Provence or mixed, dried Italian seasoning. Get creative and experiment with different herb combinations to suit your taste buds. Just remember to use dried herbs rather than fresh ones, as they adhere better to the popcorn.

📖 Recipe