Who wants bland popcorn when you can have phenomenal popcorn!? Once you use popcorn salt to make your favorite homemade snack you'll never want to go back! But the best part? It's just 1 ingredient (salt) and so easy to make!
The secret ingredient in movie theater popcorn is a superfine salt powder known as popcorn salt. The fine grains adhere to every one of the popped popcorn kernels, giving a much more consistent result than typical sea salt.
This homemade popcorn salt is a great dupe for the commercial version, and you can make it in small, manageable batches (rather than commit to a huge industrial-sized container). It's the perfect way to have movie nights at home – without sacrificing flavor.
Pair homemade popcorn salt with our homemade popcorn recipe and homemade popcorn butter and you will never have to leave the comfort of your own living room again! Well, except for work…and groceries…and well, you get what I'm going for!
Why You'll Love It:
- No artificial ingredients. Commercial popcorn salt contains extra ingredients like FD&C yellow #5, yellow #6, and artificial flavor. When you make it at home you can use one simple ingredient: salt.
- Inexpensive. Purchasing specialty fine grain popcorn salt is pricey. Everyone has salt in their pantry, and that's all you need!
- You can try new flavors. If you want to bougie up your next bowl of popcorn you can easily do so by using specialty salts like smoked sea salt, herbed salts, truffle salt, etc.
- Choose your type of salt. Some people prefer to use minimally refined salts like ancient sea salt, Redmond's Real Salt, or pink Himalayan. It's easy to use those and make homemade popcorn to meet your dietary needs.
You Will Need:
- Salt: Use any type that you have on hand, but flaky salts (like Maldon) work best for achieving a fine powder-like consistency.
Equipment
- Mortar and pestle
- OR food processor/blender (smaller models work best)
How to Make Popcorn Salt
Popcorn is a great snack that everyone loves! It's also naturally gluten free, making it a great choice for guests with dietary restrictions. Make it extra special by using homemade popcorn salt, which has the perfect grain size for adding a burst of flavor to every bite.
Method 1: Mortar and Pestle
- Add ¼ cup of salt to the bowl (mortar) of a mortar and pestle.
- Use the pestle to begin crushing the salt into a fine powder-like consistency.
- Begin rotating the pestle to continue to grind the salt down until it's as fine as you can get it.
What Type of Salt Works Best?
In testing, we much prefer flaky salt to granular table salt or sea salt. The fine crystals are already well broken down, so it's a bit more difficult to achieve a powdered consistency.
That being said, it still works – it just takes a bit more elbow grease and the final results aren't as powdery.
Method Two: Food Processor
If you don't have a mortar and pestle a food processor can do a decent job! For the best results use a small or mini model, or double/triple the batch and use a full-size food processor.
- Add the salt to a food processor and process on "HIGH" until the salt is powdery and well broken down.
- This may take a little longer than you expect – just keep going and compare the size of the blended salt and unblended salt to get an idea of how it's progressing.
- The mortar and pestle method is more effective than the food processor method, so opt for that if you have both options.
- Flaky salt breaks down into a fine powder more easily than table salt.
Storing Leftovers
Transfer your homemade popcorn salt to an airtight container with a lid. It stores at room temperature indefinitely!
High humidity may cause the salt to clump. It can be broken apart by hand, or you can re-grind it in a food processor or mortar and pestle.
Tips for the BEST Popcorn:
- Use the ultimate trifecta of recipes for the best results: popcorn salt, popcorn butter, and our signature stovetop popcorn recipe.
- Coconut oil works best for popping the actual kernels.
- If you can, use popcorn oil, which is refined coconut oil with added color. It gives you that traditional orange color you see at movie theaters.
- If you're dairy-free or vegan, try using coconut oil with butter flavor added and/or nutritional yeast.
- Avocado oil is a good runner-up for popcorn making. Anything neutral in flavor with a high smoke point will work well (canola oil, vegetable oil, and sunflower oil are all good options).
- A little salt goes a long way. Compared to table salt, homemade popcorn salt should be applied less generously. It's important to go by taste rather than specific amounts.
- Add a little salt, toss well, then taste and add more according to your preference.
- For truly great popcorn, experiment with different flavored salts. Truffle or smoked salt can add a unique flavor that will leave your guests impressed.
Snack Recipes You'll Love:
If you loved this recipe for homemade popcorn salt, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Homemade Popcorn Salt
Equipment
- Mortar and pestle OR food processor
Ingredients
- ¼ cup salt (any type – we prefer Maldon)
Instructions
- There are two methods to grind your salt into a finer texture, which makes it perfect for adhering to buttery popcorn. The first method is mortar and pestle, and this is our preferred method. The second is a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Mortar and pestle method: Place the salt in the mortar (the bowl) and crush the salt using the pestle. Once the salt begins to break down, start moving in circles to grind it as fine as you can.
- Food processor method: Place the salt in the food processor and blend on high until the salt becomes fine (you will know this has started as salt dust rises in the food processor). A mini food processor works better for this, or you can make a larger batch in a full-size model. Keep blending until it is very fine (this can take longer than expected). Flaky salt (like Maldon) will blend to a powder more easily, while fine table salt does not appear to have changed much (on closer inspection you will notice that it has).
- Serve with popcorn. Sprinkle your homemade popcorn salt on buttered hot popcorn, then toss and adjust according to your taste. We love Maldon salt for this, or using specialty salts like smoked salt or herb salts. It elevates your homemade popcorn to the next level.
Notes
- Smoked salt
- Basil salt, rosemary salt, or other herb salts
- Maldon salt (or smoked Maldon salt)
- Lemon salt (or other infused salts)
- Black salt
- Truffle salt
Nutrition
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Dorothy Bigelow
This homemade popcorn salt is SO easy to make and adds the perfect saltiness to every bite of homemade popcorn. I like to keep a little stash in the cupboard for whenever I need it.