Spicy Cinnamon-Sugar Popcorn
TIME/SERVINGS
Total: 10 mins
Active: 5 mins
Makes: 6 to 8 servings
By Aida Mollenkamp and Regan Burns
The chile oil in this recipe imparts only a slight spicy flavor. It combines nicely with the cinnamon-sugar and buttery popcorn, rendering the final result utterly irresistible. We recommend serving this alongside Black Sesame and Mustard Popcorn and Parmigiano–Black Pepper Popcorn.
What to buy: Look for hot chile oil in the Asian section of your supermarket. We like KA-ME brand.
We found that regular table salt works best on popcorn, because its fine grain adheres better to each kernel.
Special equipment: We tested this recipe with popcorn made in an air popper, which produced stellar results.
This recipe was featured as part of our dorm cooking story.
- 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (preferably clarified)
- 1 tablespoon hot chile oil, such as KA-ME
- In a small bowl, stir together sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Using an air popper, pop corn kernels into a large bowl. While corn pops, combine butter and chile oil in a small bowl; stir well. As the large bowl begins to fill, alternately drizzle oil mixture over popcorn and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar, occasionally tossing to coat.
- When popcorn stops popping, use your hands to toss everything together and ensure ingredients are evenly distributed. Serve immediately.
COMMENTS | ADD YOUR OWN
How could you do this recipe if you do NOT have an air popper and you use the old oil in the pan and shimmy and shake method on the stove top?
Just pop it, then mix the flavoring ingredients with the popcorn. You might need less butter. Simple.
I've been eating a version of this since I was old enough not to choke on it. Thanks, Chow.
A great way to "air" pop without an actual airpopper would be to simply put the kernels in a paper bag and fold the top down. Microwave as you would for a tradition microwave popcorn. It works well with recipes like this because you can just shake everything in the bag. This recipe is delicious btw chow: thanks.
This sounds very good, deff gonna try it. Im going to try using the oil that Iv skimmed off of a spicy dish iv done. Fingers crossed