This quick and easy version of Harvest Popcorn is a creative and unique savory popcorn recipe made with microwave popcorn, hickory sticks, dill, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, butter, and Worcestershire sauce.
This Harvest popcorn recipe is popular in late summer and early fall, but it's great any time of the year. It's ideal for game days, game nights, family movie nights, or any time you want a crunchy snack!
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Karen’s popcorn was the big buzz around the office that first Christmas I worked at Alberta Health Services (AHS). Everyone raved about it, as she only made it once a year during the holidays. But while my coworkers were excited, I remained skeptical—after all, it was just popcorn. How great could it be?
Even when Karen rounded my cubicle, spilling a generous sampling of her savory popcorn onto a napkin and chirped, 'Just try it- you'll love it!” I felt only indifference. Still, I did what any reasonable person would do when munchies were left on their desk- I munched.
To my surprise, the savory, tangy, and hickory flavors were unlike anything I’d ever had before. It was good, really good! But I moved on with my day without giving it any more thought.
Then something strange happened in the days that followed- I couldn’t get that popcorn out of my head! Its unique blend of lemony, garlicky, hickory, and dill flavors haunted me—I was obsessed! I needed more, so I asked Karen for the recipe.
But when I saw all the steps involved ( baking and turning etc. ) I hesitated. Making popcorn shouldn’t be this complicated! Yet, my craving wouldn't go away so I knew I had to find a shortcut for this delicious savory popcorn!
🥘Ingredient Notes
In my house this shortcut harvest popcorn is now known as "Mommy's Special Popcorn" because I've been making it for years; since the kids were little. My kids love it and it's a movie night tradition.
Since it isn't just plain old microwave popcorn and has other stuff in it, it's considered special.... And you only need simple ingredients you'll have in your pantry:
- Popcorn. I use popcorn kernels and pop them in a Microwave Popcorn Popper. (affiliate link). You can use a hot air popper or a bag of microwave popcorn.
- Hickory Sticks. These are a Canadian snack food that is similar to potato sticks, with a mild hickory flavoring. Delicious!
- Dill. You can use store-bought dill weed or dehydrate your own, as I do every fall. Here's instructions on how to dehydrate herbs in the air fryer.
- Worcestershire sauce. This gives the popcorn a welcome tangy flavor.
- Onion powder. Make sure you are using onion powder and NOT onion salt!
- Butter. I use unsalted butter because the hickory sticks are salty enough.
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Spicy Popcorn - add a little cayenne pepper, chili powder, or red pepper flakes, if you like it spicy.
- Popcorn - use microwave popcorn in a bag, made with a microwave popper, or use air-popped popcorn. You could also use Jiffy Pop or popcorn made on the stovetop or over a campfire.
- Hickory sticks - you can substitute Shoestring Potato Sticks (affiliate link). Then add ⅛ teaspoon of hickory smoke seasoning to the dry ingredients OR add a drop of liquid hickory smoke to the melted butter mixture. *Be careful as this flavor can be strong- you only want a 'hint'.
- Garlic powder - you can use garlic salt, but it will taste saltier.
- Dairy-free - you can use a vegan margarine or butter.
- Add-ins- you could also add parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
🔪How to Make Harvest Popcorn
- Step 1: Add ⅓ cup popcorn kernels to a microwave popcorn popper. *If you are using a bag of microwave popcorn, follow the directions on the bag. *If you are using a hot air corn popper, make the popcorn as usual.
- Step 2: Put the lid on and place the popcorn popper in the microwave. Press the popcorn setting on your microwave and pop all the kernels.
- Step 3: Remove popcorn from the microwave when the kernels have popped.
- Step 4: Pour popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl, then mix in hickory sticks.
- Step 5: Melt butter in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds (covered to avoid splattering), then mix Worcestershire with melted butter, in a small bowl.
- Step 6: Mix the dill, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a small bowl.
- Step 7: Add half the butter, then sprinkle on half of each of the spices.
- Step 8: Mix together.
- Step 9: Then add the remainder of the butter and spices and mix.
- Step 10: Mix together.
Recipe tips
- Use Fresh Popcorn Kernels – Stale popcorn kernels won’t pop as well, leading to more unpopped kernels. For the freshest results, buy popcorn kernels in small batches and store them in an airtight container.
- Toss While Warm – Add the butter and seasoning while the popcorn is still warm to help the flavors stick more effectively.
- Layer the Seasoning – Instead of dumping all the butter and spices on at once, add half first, mix, then repeat. This prevents clumping and ensures an even distribution of flavors.
- Make It Ahead – This popcorn keeps well for a few days, making it a great make-ahead snack for parties, game nights, or road trips. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Shake Instead of Stirring – If you’re making a large batch, place the popcorn in a paper bag or large container with a lid, drizzle in the butter, sprinkle the seasonings, and shake it up for an even coating.
So, if you want to know what to put on popcorn besides butter or you are looking for a creative popcorn flavoring recipe, this quick and easy Harvest Popcorn recipe is the perfect snack!
👪 Serving size
This savory popcorn serves 8, but you can double the recipe for a bigger group (or if you just want more :)) by clicking on the serving number in the recipe card. Simply select the number of servings you'd like and ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.
🌡️Storage
Store this savory popcorn in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 4 days.
It also freezes well in an airtight container or large Ziploc bag for up to 2 months.
❔Recipe FAQ's
Absolutely! If you have store-bought pre-popped popcorn, you can still coat it with the seasoning mixture—just be sure to adjust the butter amount as needed for even coating.
Store the popcorn in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Avoid refrigeration, as it can introduce moisture and make the popcorn soggy.
To evenly coat the popcorn, add half the butter and seasonings, mix well, then repeat with the remaining butter and seasonings. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is flavored.
I only worked at that job at AHS for a couple of years and I managed to get some really great recipes during my stint there. But by far, this Savory Harvest Popcorn was the best and it's become my favorite snack!
And the shortcut version of this harvest popcorn is just as delicious because, let's be real, there are much better ways to spend your time than baking and turning popcorn. So if you're looking for savory popcorn recipes, then give this a try. And if you're looking for THE BEST popcorn seasoning, you'll love this Shortcut Harvest Popcorn recipe.
📋More Snack Recipes
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🍿Harvest Popcorn Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels * or 85 gram pkg of microwave popcorn (plain or butter flavor)
- 2 cups Hickory sticks * you can substitute Potato Sticks
- 1 tablespoon dill weed
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
Instructions
- Add ⅓ cup popcorn kernels to a microwave popcorn popper. *If you are using a bag of microwave popcorn, follow the directions on the bag. *If you are using a hot air corn popper, make the popcorn as per usual.
- Put the lid on the microwave popcorn popper and place it in the microwave. Press the popcorn setting on your microwave and pop all the kernels.
- Remove popcorn from microwave when the kernels have popped.
- Pour into a large mixing bowl, then mix in hickory sticks.
- Melt butter in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds (covered to avoid splattering), then mix Worcestershire with melted butter, in a small bowl.
- Mix the dill, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a small bowl.
- Add half of the butter, then sprinkle on half of each of the spices.
- Mix together.
- Then add the remainder of the butter and spices.
- Mix together.
Notes
- Use Fresh Popcorn Kernels – Stale popcorn kernels won’t pop as well, leading to more unpopped kernels. For the freshest results, buy popcorn kernels in small batches and store them in an airtight container.
- Toss While Warm – Add the butter and seasoning while the popcorn is still warm to help the flavors stick more effectively.
- Layer the Seasoning – Instead of dumping all the butter and spices on at once, add half first, mix, then repeat. This prevents clumping and ensures an even distribution of flavors.
- Make It Ahead – This popcorn keeps well for a few days, making it a great make-ahead snack for parties, game nights, or road trips. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Shake Instead of Stirring – If you’re making a large batch, place the popcorn in a paper bag or large container with a lid, drizzle in the butter, sprinkle the seasonings, and shake it up for an even coating.
M
Really different and yummy.I made it in place of the usual caramel corn for movie night snack bags. Lots of good reviews. Addictive.
Terri Gilson
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice
Well, you had me at savoury, because even though I am a pastry chef, I love savoury snacks. Then, you had me at Hickory Sticks - it is one of those snacks that I love! I cannot wait to try this recipe - I am sure it would be appealing to anyone and any age. It sounds delightful! Thank you so much for sharing, Terri!
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Denise! I hope you enjoy it?I have been addicted since I discovered it 6+ years ago!
Fouzia Husainy
Who could think of adding hickory sticks to Popcorn? But it’s great flavouring indeed and this is what makes it so unique. No wonder you couldn’t get this flavour off your head when you first tasted it!!
Terri Gilson
Fouzia, I know, hey?! I am seriously still addicted and that was at least 6 yrs ago!
Wanda
Love all the flavours you have added to this popcorn! And now I want to go make some!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Wanda! You need to try the hickory sticks and these spices - there will be no going back to boring old popcorn! 🙂
Edith
Love this recipe. I make it with air popped popcorn.
Terri Gilson
Glad to hear you love it, Edith!