Bacon popcorn is the ultimate savory snack. It feels like such a treat but it’s so easy to make with just two ingredients! It’s so easy to add a little extra flavor to your homemade stovetop popcorn. Perfect for movie night and Super Bowl entertaining!
Yep, you read that right! Bacon popcorn… Because, why not? It’s the perfect way to add a little extra salty flavor to your popcorn and, it’s so easy to make.
Toss those microwave packets aside, and let’s enjoy fresh popcorn the way it should be prepared. I promise, it won’t take much longer than the microwave and the taste is so incredible.
Homemade popcorn is so quick and easy to make, it really doesn’t take much longer than popping a bag in the microwave and zapping it.
It tastes so much better than the pre-packaged stuff as well as being cheaper and healthier for you. Stovetop popcorn for the win! It’s so easy to make a giant batch!
Add this easy bacon popcorn recipe to my list of favorite Bacon Appetizers and Game Day Recipes – it’s so good, you’ll crave it every weekend.
Why You’ll Love Bacon Popcorn
- Salty and Savory
- Easy to Make
- Great for Game Day and Parties
- Serves well at Room Temperature
Bacon Popcorn Ingredients
- Bacon Grease – You will need to cook up about four pounds of bacon for the grease used in this recipe. You can also buy bacon grease if you prefer.
- Popcorn Kernels – Use un-popped kernels that are readily available in stores for this recipe. The kernels pop in the bacon grease and really soak up all of that salty flavor.
- Crumbled Bacon – You can’t waste the bacon you cooked to get that grease! I like to sprinkle the cooked bacon over the popcorn for serving.
How To Make Bacon Popcorn
- Prep – In large pot, heat grease on high.
- Pop – Add the kernels and place lid on pot.
- Shake – Shake pot back and forth to keep kernels popping.
- Garnish – When popping slows, remove from heat. Garnish with cheddar cheese and fresh bacon bits if desired.
Tips
- Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot. A heavy bottomed pot will distribute heat more evenly so that hot spots aren’t created which can burn the popcorn. Use a large pot so that the popcorn doesn’t overflow.
- If you’re nervous about using a traditional cast iron pot, try a stove top popcorn maker.
- Before adding all of the kernels to the hot bacon grease, just add a couple first so you can test the temperature. Once those pop, your oil is hot enough and you can add the remaining kernels.
- Shake the popcorn as you are cooking it so that all of the kernels cook easily and don’t burn.
- Tip the saucepan lid occasionally to let the steam escape so that you don’t have soggy popcorn.
- Popcorn is best served soon after you have made it, as the bacon grease can soften it.
- If you do have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container to help preserve the freshness.
Serving Sugggestions
If you are really pulling out all the stops for your guests, then I recommend serving this bacon popcorn loaded! Popcorn never tasted so good!
- Crumble your cooked bacon bits over this bacon popcorn
- Add shredded cheese and top it off with some sliced green onions.
- Or, drizzle with maple syrup for a sweeter profile.
- Add a layer of seasoning. Try a teaspoon of my Cajun Seasoning, Everything but the Elote Seasoning, or Everything Bagel Seasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacon grease easily replaces fats in many of your favorite recipes, including this bacon popcorn. It does have a lower smoke point, though, so don’t use it for things like frying.
If you salt the kernels before you pop them, they can turn out tough instead of light and fluffy. Wait until all the popcorn is popped before adding salt and seasonings.
How to Store
- Room Temperature – This bacon popcorn is best served right after you make it – you can leave it sitting out for up to two hours during serving.
- Refrigerator – Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 48 hours. However, while it will keep this way, this will soften your popcorn.
- Freezer – It’s not recommended to freeze popcorn.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Nut Free
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More Easy Appetizers
Bacon Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons bacon grease
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- ½ cup crumbled bacon optional
Instructions
- In large pot, heat grease on high. Add kernels and place lid on pot. Shake pot back and forth to keep kernels popping.
- When popping slows, remove from heat. Garnish with cheddar cheese and fresh bacon bits if desired.
Julie’s Tips
- Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot. A heavy bottomed pot will distribute heat more evenly so that hot spots aren’t created which can burn the popcorn. Use a large pot so that the popcorn doesn’t overflow.
- Before adding all of the kernels to the hot bacon grease, just add a couple first so you can test the temperature. Once those pop, your oil is hot enough and you can add the remaining kernels.
- Shake the popcorn as you are cooking it so that all of the kenels cook easily and don’t burn.
- Tip the saucepan lid occasionally to let the steam escape so that you don’t have soggy popcorn.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Yum! Homemade tortillas in bacon grease sounds delicious!
Growing up, we always saved our bacon grease for making homemade tortillas and we usually would make our popcorn with it too! Didn’t know we were way ahead of our time! 😀