It's easy to make this gourmet homemade popcorn seasoning! Your whole family will love this tangy, buttery, and addictive popcorn snack flavored with Old Bay Spice and reminiscent of a mom-and-pop crab shack dinner platter!
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👩🏻🍳 Crab Shack Popcorn Snacking
Popcorn has long been an easy, low-calorie, delicious snack choice for me. A few years ago, my mother got me this awesome microwave popper. I love it because I can pop regular popcorn in it and not have to pay out the wazoo for the bags of microwave popcorn. It also does not require any butter or oil (although you can use either if you like).
For about 90 - 100 calories, you can have 3 cups of popcorn, according to CalorieKing.com. That is enough to keep me munching for quite a while, which helps divert my thoughts from other, more nutritionally devoid snacks. And there is a bonus!
I also get about 3 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of dietary fiber in those 3 cups, as well as some potassium, zinc, and phosphorus. So you can feel good about serving popcorn as a snack to your kids. And did you know that the kernels for popcorn from a specific kind of flint corn?
This recipe for your own homemade popcorn seasoning will have you coming back to this classic snack again and again!
And if you love homemade seasonings, try this Homemade Ranch Seasoning and make a ranch popcorn!
Or maybe you are more in the mood for popcorn on the sweet side? Check out this amazing coconut nutella popcorn recipe or make colored popcorn with this delicious Kool Aid Popcorn recipe!
🥘 Ingredients Needed
- popcorn
- butter - while it isn't exactly healthy, I can't imagine eating popcorn without a little bit of butter! Plus, it helps the seasoning stick to your popcorn.
- Old Bay Spice - provides a flavor reminiscent of a delicious seafood dinner.
- lemon juice - helps bring out the flavor of the Old Bay and cut through some of the saltiness.
🔪 Instructions
- Pop your popcorn according to the directions.
- Melt your butter in the microwave. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Slowly drizzle your butter and lemon juice mixture over the popcorn. Keep tossing the popcorn to make sure it's evenly coated and doesn't get soggy.
- Sprinkle the Old Bay over the popcorn, again tossing to evenly distribute the spice.
👪 FAQs
This is mostly up to personal preference. Some people eat enough popcorn that it's worth buying a hot air popper, which is a little appliance used specifically for making popcorn. You could also purchase a bowl that's designed specifically for making popcorn in the microwave.
If you'd like to eliminate the butter, you could use a butter substitute or even a bit of olive oil. Or, you may want to cut the butter out completely and just use the lemon juice as a way to get your homemade popcorn seasoning to coat your snack. This will also make for a slightly tangier snack without the buttery flavor to soften out the lemon and Old Bay.
For the most part, unpopped kernels are about the same across the board, and whatever you can get your hands on will be delicious. But this guide has some more specific information about which brands to look for depending on your popping preferences. For instance, if you choose to make your popcorn in the microwave, the brand that will give you the best results is Bob's Red Mill Whole White Popcorn.
📖 Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Variations
- There are so many ways you can customize your popcorn! Try different blends of spices and flavors to switch up your homemade popcorn seasoning.
- For some more saltiness, you could of course add some classic salt, or sprinkle on garlic powder or onion powder.
- If you're looking for some bite, black pepper is a great place to start. Chili powder, red pepper flakes, chipotle powder, or paprika would be tasty additions.
- You could also go a sweet and salty route (in which case I suggest you ditch the lemon juice and Old Bay and go for something different altogether!). Try a blend of salt, cinnamon, and sugar for something a bit autumnal. You could even mix in chocolate or peanut butter candies (just keep some napkins nearby).
🍿 Additional Snack Recipes
Here are a few more more delicious snack ideas for you! If you're looking for something else to munch on, my Vanilla Maple Granola is a sweet and crunchy option. You may even want to try this homemade popcorn seasoning sprinkled on top of the pretzel bites or the roasted peanuts!
Or check out this post for a sweet and salty popcorn recipe you can make in just a few minutes and customize to your taste buds!
If you are in to unique popcorn favors, you won't want to miss this Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn. It's a delicious and delightful fusion of creamy peanut butter, sweet jelly, and the satisfying crunch of popcorn!
Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Recipe
Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!
📋 Recipe Card
Crab Shack Popcorn
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup unpopped popcorn
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) Old Bay Spice
Instructions
- Prepare popcorn in microwave or air popper according to directions.⅔ cup unpopped popcorn
- Melt the butter spread in the microwave.4 tablespoons butter
- Add the lemon juice to the melted buttery spread and mix to combine.1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Slowly drizzle the butter/lemon mixture over the prepared popcorn while tossing to distribute coating and prevent popcorn from getting soggy.
- Sprinkle the Old Bay Spice over the buttered popcorn while tossing to distribute as evenly as possible.1 tablespoon (or more to taste) Old Bay Spice
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Watch your popcorn while popping to be sure it doesn't burn.
- Make your your Old Bay spice isn't too old. If it has been in your kitchen for more than a couple of years, it's taste will fade and your popcorn seasoning will be a little bland.
- To melt the butter, I usually microwave it at 40% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Once it is almost melted, take it out of the microwave and stir it for a minute and the rest will melt.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in July 2013, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in September 2020.
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Happy cooking!
kevnkoi says
Totally need to try this popcorn. Sound delicious!
Kristin says
Thanks Katrina!
Sarah says
Love popcorn! What a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing & linking up at Thank You Honey's Whatever Wednesday Party!! The party goes live every Tuesday! Let's connect by adding me to your G+ circles or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest as I already did with you!
Cheers
Sarah
Kristin says
Thanks, Sarah! I have your button on my party page so I don't forget to join your parties. Thanks for stopping by, I will add you to my social media accounts if I haven't already! 🙂
Kim V says
Oh, this sounds interesting...pinning to try 🙂 Stopping in from Super Sunday, have a great day!
Kim @ *Soliloquy Of Food & Such*
Kristin says
Thanks, Kim! Heading over to check out your sugar cookies now. I love a good sugar cookie! 🙂
Zannie says
I love old bay! And served in the glass, they're so cute! Thanks for sharing on Random Recipe Roundup! 😀
Kristin says
Thanks, Zannie! And thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
What an interesting combination! I think this would be wonderfull
Kristin says
Thanks, Chandra! 🙂
Tina @epicuricloud.com says
Looks Yummy Kristin!! Love the lemon addition - great idea!! Have a nice 4th of July!!
Kristin says
Thanks, Tina! The lemon really does it for me, too...I have to have lemon and butter with my crab, so it made sense to include it with the crab shack popcorn! Hope you guys had a great 4th!
Samantha D says
Sounds good! We'll have to try it!
Sam
http://cooksandcreates.blogspot.com
Kristin says
Hi Sam, thanks for stopping by! Love the Tasteful Tuesdays party! 🙂
Miss Messy says
Sounds super. Popcorn is one of my go to snacks!
Kristin says
Thanks Miss Messy! I am intrigued by your dark chocolate madeleines...heading over to check them out!!
Christina @ Juggling Real Food and Real Life says
Savory popcorn sounds so good to me. I need to get into the kitchen and start doing some popcorn recipe creating. My son eats popcorn almost every day, too. My house smells like a movie theater.
Kristin says
Thanks, Christina! I know, popcorn recipes are so delicious and easy, I am going to put together a few more of them over the next couple of months too!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This is a great idea. It reminds me of the crab shacks at the shore too. Yum!
Kristin says
Yes, it totally reminds me of the shore! 🙂