• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wendy Polisi
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies Policy
    • Terms of Service and Conditions
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Snack Recipes

    Spicy Popcorn

    5 from 5 votes
    Posted September 24, 2018 (last updated September 23, 2022) by Wendy Polisi

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Photo of a brown paper bag filled with Spicy Popcorn with the text Spicy Popcorn above it.

    Take your popcorn to the next level with this Spicy Popcorn Recipe. This Sweet and Spicy Popcorn is perfect for your next movie night, football party, or any casual entertaining. 

    This post was sponsored by McCormick as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

    Photo of two brown paper bags filled with prepared Spicy Popcorn.

    Confession: I spent the better part of this past weekend watching football.

    That isn't a typical weekend for me, but we've all been under the weather. After a little time in the kitchen, spending the afternoons and evenings on the couch watching SEC football was just what I needed to recharge for the coming week.

    Growing up in a college town (Gainesville, FL), football has always been a big part of my life.

    When I was Skye's age, I can remember not understanding why my parents got so excited by football weekends. As I got older, the enthusiasm of football season caught on.

    The ingredients for Spicy Popcorn in small white prep bowls.

    I couldn't help but fall in love with all things football.

    When I was living in Gainesville, going to games was just part of life.

    I rarely make it to a game anymore, but that doesn't stop the festivities. I have become very passionate about HomeGating!

    By Tuesday of every week, I have my football menu planned. I do this whether we are entertaining, or just planning on a party of five. (Like this past weekend.) . I can pick up everything that I need to create The Ultimate HomeGate party during football season at Walmart.

    Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Butter being whisked together in a small cast iron skillet.

    One of my favorite things about hosting a HomeGate party is that it is casual entertaining at its best. You don't need to - and shouldn't - get fussy when you are watching football.This Spicy Popcorn Recipe is the perfect example!

    It only takes a few minutes to elevate your popcorn to the next level. The secret ingredient: Frank's® Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce.

    Butter for a Spicy Popcorn Recipe in a small cast iron skillet with hot sauce and maple syrup added.

    Frank’s® RedHot was used in the original Buffalo wings created in 1964. I love that it blends flavor and heat perfectly. There is no 5-alarm fire in your mouth with this one!

    As yummy as this Spicy Popcorn is, you aren't going to want to miss the main course!

    Popcorn with Spicy Popcorn butter drizzled over it ready to be stirred.
    A great option is this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken. This super-easy and super-tasty recipe is made with French's® Classic Yellow Mustard.

    French's® Mustard is made with stone ground, #1 Grade Mustard Seeds and has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

    Another great option is Crispy BBQ Chicken Wings. Wings and football just go together, don't they?

    With Stubb's® Original Bar-B-Q Sauce, these wings are sure to wow the whole crowd.

    Stubb’s® Bar-B-Q line of sauces, marinades, and rubs are made right with quality, gluten-free ingredients, and contain no high fructose corn syrup. Gotta love that!

    Whichever entree you choose, you could round it out with this delicious Buffalo Bacon Potato Salad.

    There are just so many ways that you can use French's® Mustard, Frank's® Redhot, and Stubb's® Bar-B-Q to make yummy recipes that are just perfect for watching the game.

    Product shot of Franks Red Hot Sauce, French's Mustard and Stubbs Barbecue Sauce.

    Right now you can visit UltimateHomeGate.com for a chance to WIN great prizes such as a big screen TV, brand new grill, and fantastic gift cards!

    Sweepstakes Timing: September 14 – October 28

    One (1) Grand Prize: The Ultimate Home Gate Prize includes the following:
    One (1) 60” Big Screen TV. ARV $800. Brand and model to be determined by the Sponsor at its sole discretion.
    One (1) Weber® Grill. ARV $700
    One (1) $100 Fanatics® Gift Card. ARV $100. Terms and conditions of the gift card apply.
    Total ARV of this prize package $1,600.

    Four (4) Second Prizes: Each winner will receive the following:
    One (1) Weber® Grill. ARV $700
    One (1) $100 Fanatics® Gift Card. ARV $100. Terms and conditions of the gift card apply.
    Total ARV of each prize package $800

    LIMIT: One (1) prize per person or household.

    A white bowl filled with a prepared Spicy Popcorn Recipe on a blue background.

    Tools for Making this Spicy Popcorn Recipe

    • Popcorn Maker or Heavy Bottomed Pan with a Lid
    • Small Skillet or Saucepan
    • Large Bowl

    Spicy Popcorn

    Photo of two brown paper bags filled with prepared Spicy Popcorn.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Spicy Popcorn

    Looking for a crowd-pleasing snack that is perfect for your casual entertaining? This Spicy Popcorn Recipe will be the star of your next football party.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: spicy popcorn, spicy popcorn recipes, sweeet and spicy popcorn
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 199kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2-3 tablespoons Frank's® Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce more or less to taste
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ cup popcorn kernels
    • 3 tablespoons coconut oil more or less according to manufacturer’s instructions
    • Salt to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat the butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan until the butter melts.  Stir in RedHot sauce and smoked paprika and whisk to combine.  Remove from heat.
    • Heat the oil in a popcorn maker or heavy bottomed pan.  Add the popcorn kernels and cook, shaking occasionally, until the popping stops.
    • Transfer popcorn to a large bowl and toss with the RedHot Sauce mixture.  Sprinkle with salt and enjoy.

    Notes

    Variations for Sweet & Spicy Popcorn

    • Make BBQ popcorn by substituting Stubb's® Original Bar-B-Q Sauce for the Frank's® Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce.
    • Add in 1 cup of broken pretzel sticks prior to tossing with the spicy butter.
    • Substitute honey for the maple syrup.
    • Make it vegan and dairy-free by using vegan butter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    If You Like Spicy Popcorn You May Also Like:

    • Jalapeno Quinoa Bites
    • Popcorn Crusted Chicken
    • Smokey Garlic Popcorn
    • Homemade Queso Dip

    Filed Under:

    Appetizer RecipesGame Day RecipesGluten Free RecipesSnack RecipesVegetarian Recipes

    More Snack Recipes

    • Square close up photo of chocolate chip quinoa cookies on burlap.
      Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies - Flourless Vegan Cookies
    • Square photo of a protein power bar on a white background with a stack of power bars behind it.
      Protein Power Bars - Real Food Protein Bars
    • Square photo of a small dish of corn dip surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Corn Dip with Cream Cheese
    • Chia Quinoa Protein Bars

    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Rating




    1. Shahla

      September 26, 2018 at 4:19 am

      Totally saving this to try! We love popcorn and this sounds delicious!

      Reply
    2. Jennifer L

      September 26, 2018 at 5:53 am

      5 stars
      Oh yummy! I love spicy snacks/foods so this is up my alley. Have a ton of kernels I've been wanting to make pop so im giving this a taste.

      Reply
    3. Kelli A

      September 26, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      I am a huge fan of Frank's Red Hot, It is the only "Hot Sauce" I will use. I have never thought of using it on popcorn though! Can;t wait to try this out!

      Reply
    4. Sara Welch

      September 26, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      That is such a great recipe. I love spicy popcorn and now I can make my own!

      Reply
    5. Kita Bryant

      September 26, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      I cannot wait to try this! This looks like my kind of snack.

      Reply
    6. Jessica Hughes

      September 27, 2018 at 2:40 am

      Ok, I would never have though to use Frank's Red Hot sauce in popcorn but it sure does look delicious! Definitely perfect for a cozy fall weekend game.

      Reply
    7. Blair villanueva

      September 27, 2018 at 2:48 am

      5 stars
      Omg this is exciting! I could imagine the sounds while enjoying this spicy popcorn. Now am thinking which movie should we pair for this.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Favorites

    • Close up photo of a spoonful of Spanish Cauliflower Rice resting in a bowl of keto rice.
      25-Minute Spanish Cauliflower Rice
    • Close up photo of a bread machine dinner roll on a cooling rack with other rolls behind it.
      Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
    • Square side photo of gluten free vegetarian lasagna.
      Gluten Free Vegetarian Lasagna
    • Square overhead photo of an aqua bowl with tahini pastas garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.
      Tahini Pasta
    • Square close up photo of a crispy quinoa salad with pomegranate and sweet potato.
      Crispy Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Sweet Potato
    • Square close up photo of a thai chicken salad on a white plate.
      Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

    Family, Food and Fun!

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms of Service
    • About
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.