10 Quick And Easy Popcorn Recipes For Kids

Make a go-to flavored snack that your little one enjoys eating any time of the day.

Reviewed by Reda Elmardi, RD Reda Elmardi Reda ElmardiRD MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: DieteticsExperience: 10 years
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Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
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Tasty popcorn recipes

Without a doubt, popcorn is a classic and favorite movie snack. However, you can give this popular snack a new twist by experimenting with some popcorn recipes for kids.

Popcorn is made by heating corn kernels till they puff up. This light snack is easy on the stomach and is popularly served salted or caramelized.

From ranch-style popcorn to peanut butter ones, we have some interesting and unique recipes that you may not have heard of or tasted before. So dive in to try some of the tastiest popcorn recipes you can easily make for your children to tingle their taste buds.

In This Article

10 Easy Popcorn Recipes For Kids

Popcorn is one of the most popular finger foods for kids and adults alike. While you love these munchies, there are various ways you can enhance the flavor of the plain popcorn. Here are some healthy popcorn snacks for kids that will let you do just that.

1. Basic Buttered Popcorn:

Butter popcorn recipe for kids

Image: Shutterstock

You Need:

  • Ready plain popcorn
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted melted butter
  • ½ tsp salt

How To:

  1. Heat the ready popcorn slightly in the microwave just before eating.
  2. Add the melted butter and coat evenly. Sprinkle lightly with salt and mix.


protip_icon Quick tip
Mix popcorn with marshmallows, mini oreo cookies, mini chips ahoy cookies, candy eyes, and bright blue food color to make googly-eyed cookie monster popcorn for your kids.

2. Popcorn With Brown Butter And Parmesan:

Brown butter & parmesan popcorn recipe for kids

Image: Shutterstock

You Need:

  • Ready plain popcorn
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp. grated Parmesan
  • Kosher salt

How To:

  1. Melt the butter in a pan and stir it till it starts to foam. Remove from the heat as soon as it starts to turn brown and smells nutty.
  2. Drizzle with the butter over the popcorn. sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and salt and mix everything well.

3. Ranch Style Popcorn:

Ranch style popcorn recipe for kids

Image: Shutterstock

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • 3 tbsp. buttermilk powder
  • 1 ½ tsp dried parsley
  • 3/4 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder – optional
  • 1/4 tsp dried dill
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted melted butter

How To:

  1. In a pan, mix the melted butter along with all the spices.
  2. While the popcorn is hot, drizzle the mix over it and coat evenly.

4. Garlic Oil And Parmesan Popcorn:

Garlic oil with parmesan recipe for kids

Image: Shutterstock

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ tsp salt

How To:

  1. In a pan, heat the oil and garlic for about two minutes. Remove the garlic and discard.
  2. Place the popcorn in a bowl and add the oil, cheese and salt. Mix and coat evenly.

5. Pepperoni And Pepita Popcorn:

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3/4cup pepitas
  • 3/4cup cashews
  • ½ cup halved pepperoni slices
  • 1 ½ tsp chili powder – optional
  • 3/4 tsp ground cumin

How To:

  1. Toast the pepitas and cashew in a pan over medium heat. Remove and place in a bowl. Cook the pepperoni slices in the pan till they turn crispy. Add the pepperoni to the popcorn along with other spices. Mix well and coat evenly.

6. Banana Honey Popcorn:

Banana honey popcorn recipe for kids

Image: Shutterstock

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • Banana
  • Honey

How To:

  1. Mash a banana and place it in a bowl. Add the popcorn over it.
  2. Drizzle with honey and serve.

7. Mexican Style Popcorn:

Mexican style popcorn recipe for kids

Image: Shutterstock

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3 tsp paprika
  • 3 tsp dried oregano
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro
  • Unsalted melted butter

How To:

  1. Preheat the oven to 275 degree F.
  2. Mix the paprika, dried oregano, onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin and salt in a bowl. Drizzle the butter over the popcorn. Sprinkle the spices over the buttered popcorn. Spread the popcorn on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.
  3. Add the chopped cilantro and mix evenly.

8. Lemony Popcorn:

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • 4 tbsp. melted unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tsp poppy seeds
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

How To:

  1. Mix all the ingredients along with the melted butter. Add over the popcorn and coat evenly.
protip_icon Quick tip
Add popcorn to the melted mix of butter, marshmallows, and hot chocolate. Participate with your child in making popcorn balls with this mixture. Be careful so you do not burn your child’s hands.

9. Peanut Butter And Jelly Popcorn:

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted melted butter
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup grape jelly

How To:

  1. In a pan, whisk the peanut butter, butter, jelly and the salt over medium heat. Once it is slightly cool, pour over the popcorn and mix evenly.

10. Coconut And Almond Popcorn:

You Need:

  • Ready popcorn
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup slivered almonds
  • 3/4 cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips

How To:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degree F. On a baking sheet, spread the coconut and almonds. Bake till they turn slightly brown and let it cool. Mix the coconut, almonds, salt and chocolate chips with the warm popcorn.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is homemade popcorn healthy for toddlers?

Yes, homemade popcorn that does not contain unhealthy toppings is healthy. If you prepare popcorn at home, add protein and healthy seasoning to make it a great nutritional snack option for kids (1). Stovetop popcorn and air-popped popcorn also make some healthy snacks for kids.

2. Does popcorn have any health benefits?

When served healthily, popcorn could be beneficial as it is a good source of fiber and antioxidants. Moreover, due to its low-calorie content, it could help lose weight (2).

3. What are the disadvantages of popcorn?

Popcorn sold at malls and theaters is usually made of unhealthy toppings and might be high in calories and sodium. Therefore, they can affect heart health when consumed regularly (2).

Popcorn is great to snack on when watching a movie, even in the comfort of your home, and works well as a kids’ party food idea. You can add your special magic by following these popcorn recipes for kids. Use herbs and flavored oils to add a punch, or make it spicy with chili flakes. Add butter and parmesan for a rich result. Banana honey or peanut butter jelly popcorn can be great options for a sweet tooth. Whether sweet or salty, simple or gourmet, try these fun and creative flavored popcorn recipes at home, and your children will undoubtedly love to have them again and again.

Infographic: Simple And Tasty Popcorn Recipes For Children

Popcorn is a simple and delicious snack that children of all ages enjoy. It is easy to prepare and may be tailored to your child’s tastes. So, whether looking for a sweet or savory popcorn treat for children, check out the infographic below to discover different easy and quick recipes to try.

delicious recipes of popcorn your children will surely love (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Popcorn is a light snack made by heating corn kernels that is easy on the stomach.
  • The most popular choices are salted and caramelized popcorn.
  • Equally tasty are buttered popcorn and garlic oil popcorn.
  • Banana honey popcorn, Pepperoni, pepita popcorn, and Lemony popcorn are unique and delicious options.
  • Flavored popcorn, such as peanut butter and jelly popcorn, and ranch-style popcorn, can be the right choice for those who want to try something different.

Illustration: Quick And Easy Popcorn Recipes For Kids

Popcorn Recipes For Kids_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Immerse yourself in the delightful experience of preparing butter masala popcorn with just a few simple steps. Follow along and savor the deliciousness of this easy-to-make snack.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. 9 Best Tips For Healthier Popcorn.
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/9-best-tips-help-make-healthier-popcorn/
  2. Popcorn as a snack: Healthy hit or dietary horror show?
    https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/06/18/popcorn-as-a-snack-healthy-hit-or-dietary-horror-show
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Reda Elmardi
Reda ElmardiRD
Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. The 32-year-old is a certified nutritionist from the UNC's Online MPH with Nutrition concentration, and has around ten years of experience.

Read full bio of Reda Elmardi
Ria Saha
Ria SahaB.Tech
Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant.

Read full bio of Ria Saha
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Nida Shaikh
Nida ShaikhBSc, PG Dip.
Nida holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Genetics and Medical Laboratory Techniques from Goa University. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a laboratory technician. She began content writing during her college years and has been featured as a co-author in a children's short story compilation book.

Read full bio of Nida Shaikh