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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Crab Shack Homemade Popcorn Seasoning

    Published: Sep 30, 2020 Modified: Oct 1, 2020 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Close up shot of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    Side view of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    Close up overhead shot of homemade popcorn seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    Close up shot of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    Close up overhead shot of homemade popcorn seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    Close up shot of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    Close up shot of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.

    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!

    Close up shot of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    This recipe takes less than five minutes to prepare and is a delicious snack for any time of day!
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Crab Shack Popcorn Snacking
    • 🥘 Ingredients Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👪 FAQs
    • 📖 Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Variations
    • 🍿 Additional Snack Recipes
    • Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Recipe
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 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!

    🥘 Ingredients Needed

    Overhead view of ingredients- popcorn, lemon juice, butter, and old bay spice.
    This delicious homemade popcorn seasoning only requires three basic ingredients!
    • 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

    Four panel grid of process shots- make popcorn, combine ingredients and coat popcorn in ingredients.
    This quick and easy recipe only requires four simple steps
    1. Pop your popcorn according to the directions.
    2. Melt your butter in the microwave. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
    3. 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.
    4. Sprinkle the Old Bay over the popcorn, again tossing to evenly distribute the spice.

    👪 FAQs

    What's the best way to pop my popcorn?

    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.

    Is there a way to make this snack healthier?

    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.

    What kind of popcorn kernels should I buy?

    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.

    Close up overhead shot of homemade popcorn seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.
    This homemade popcorn seasoning is a great recipe for a unique and healthier snack!

    📖 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!

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    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

    Close up shot of popcorn with homemade seasoning in a clear bowl on a wooden cutting board with popcorn sprinkled around.

    Crab Shack Popcorn

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    It's easy to make this gourmet homemade popcorn seasoning! Your whole family will love this addictive popcorn snack flavored with Old Bay!
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 290 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • ⅔ cup unpopped popcorn
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) Old Bay Spice
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 6g | Vitamin A: 560IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    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.

    Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!

    Happy cooking!

    Close up of a signature of Kristin.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. kevnkoi

      July 10, 2013 at 6:46 pm

      Totally need to try this popcorn. Sound delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 11, 2013 at 5:32 pm

        Thanks Katrina!

        Reply
    2. Sarah

      July 07, 2013 at 7:37 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 11, 2013 at 6:34 pm

        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! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Kim V

      July 07, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Oh, this sounds interesting...pinning to try 🙂 Stopping in from Super Sunday, have a great day!
      Kim @ *Soliloquy Of Food & Such*

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 11, 2013 at 6:29 pm

        Thanks, Kim! Heading over to check out your sugar cookies now. I love a good sugar cookie! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Zannie

      July 07, 2013 at 9:32 am

      I love old bay! And served in the glass, they're so cute! Thanks for sharing on Random Recipe Roundup! 😀

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 07, 2013 at 11:37 am

        Thanks, Zannie! And thanks for stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

      July 06, 2013 at 6:39 pm

      What an interesting combination! I think this would be wonderfull

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 11, 2013 at 6:36 pm

        Thanks, Chandra! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Tina @epicuricloud.com

      July 03, 2013 at 11:05 am

      Looks Yummy Kristin!! Love the lemon addition - great idea!! Have a nice 4th of July!!

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 05, 2013 at 7:46 am

        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!

        Reply
    7. Samantha D

      July 02, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      Sounds good! We'll have to try it!

      Sam
      http://cooksandcreates.blogspot.com

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 02, 2013 at 8:14 pm

        Hi Sam, thanks for stopping by! Love the Tasteful Tuesdays party! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Miss Messy

      July 02, 2013 at 7:00 pm

      Sounds super. Popcorn is one of my go to snacks!

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 02, 2013 at 8:14 pm

        Thanks Miss Messy! I am intrigued by your dark chocolate madeleines...heading over to check them out!!

        Reply
    9. Christina @ Juggling Real Food and Real Life

      July 02, 2013 at 12:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 02, 2013 at 8:09 pm

        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!

        Reply
    10. Jersey Girl Cooks

      July 02, 2013 at 8:07 am

      5 stars
      This is a great idea. It reminds me of the crab shacks at the shore too. Yum!

      Reply
      • Kristin

        July 02, 2013 at 8:08 pm

        Yes, it totally reminds me of the shore! 🙂

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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