Whether it’s movie time, game time or just any time a snack craving strikes, popcorn is the perfect fix. It’s crunchy, poppable and a stealth health snack—each kernel is a whole grain, delivering important vitamins and minerals. One cup of popcorn is just 30 calories, making it friendly to any calorie budget. That’s why the popcorn options from Nutrisystem are some of our most popular grab-and-go snacks.
It’s the toppings that can throw a wrench in your crunchy bucket. Popcorn that’s drenched in butter, like at the movies, is delicious, but it also turns your healthy munch into an unexpected crunch of extra calories.
But man (or woman) cannot live on salt alone. Learn how to season popcorn and take your homemade pop to the next level!
Not sure what season your popcorn with? These five popcorn seasoning ideas are easy to make, but hard to stop crunching. Best of all: Each homemade popcorn seasoning is low in calories!
1. Lemon Popcorn
“Zesty” and “refreshing” probably aren’t words you’ve used to describe popcorn in the past. But get ready, because this juice-and-lemon topped bowl is both of those things—and with a pinch of salt, even a little more.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain popcorn
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
To make it:
- Mix the salt, zest and juice together in a small bowl.
- Pour over the popcorn, then toss to coat.
Pro Tip: Add a little fresh cracked pepper for a lemon pepper twist!
2. Sea Salt and Cocoa Popcorn
The combination of sea salt and dark chocolate is a Nutrisystem member favorite. This sweet-and-salty combo stars in our Dark Chocolaty Sea Salt Nut Square. Inspired by this delectable Nutrisystem snack, this three-ingredient recipe is definitely one of the best popcorn seasonings!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain popcorn
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (fine grain)
To make it:
- Mix the salt, cocoa powder and monk fruit sweetener in a small bowl.
- Pour over the popcorn, then toss to coat.
3. Dill Pickle Popcorn Seasoning
We love dill pickle-flavored everything: Potato chips, dips and now, popcorn. We season it with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried or fresh dill. This tangy flavor takes snacking to a whole new level.
To achieve that irresistible dill pickle taste, we season popcorn with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a generous sprinkle of dried or fresh dill. Wondering how to make the seasoning stick to popcorn? A splash of pickle juice from the fridge does the trick, binding the flavors together for a perfectly even and zesty coating.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain popcorn
- 2 teaspoons dried or fresh dill (chopped if fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pickle juice
To make it:
- Mix the seasonings and pickle juice in a small bowl.
- Pour over the popcorn, then toss to coat.
4. Pumpkin Spice Popcorn Seasoning
This one might be the best of the bunch: It’s sweet, savory and packs a punch of pumpkin spice latte flavor that makes any month feel like fall.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain popcorn
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
To make it:
- Mix the sweetener, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a small bowl.
- Pour over the popcorn, then toss to coat.
5. Za’atar Popcorn Seasoning
Za’atar is a savory, Middle Eastern mix packed with spices and dried herbs: marjoram, oregano, thyme, sesame, cumin, coriander and more. It’s often mixed into or put on top of flatbreads, mixed into hummus, and used to add flavor to meats and roasted vegetables. It also makes a savory, herby popcorn topping that’s seriously easy to make: It’s just one ingredient!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain popcorn
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Za’atar spice mix
To make it:
- Toss the popcorn and Za’atar together. Enjoy!
