Jalapeño Popcorn with Bacon

Jalapeño Popcorn with Bacon

This jalapeño popcorn is buttery, spicy, and loaded with crispy, smoky bacon. Made with just four simple ingredients, this easy snack has the perfect kick of jalapeño heat and plenty of savory flavor in every handful. It’s perfect for movie nights, game days, and parties!

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Servings:

Calories: 295kcal

Author: Karin and Ken

Ingredients

2 microwave popcorn bags plain
3 tablespoons salted butter
2 tablespoons dried jalapeño crushed
½ cup cooked crispy bacon finely chopped

Optional Seasonings

¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
tiny pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Popcorn and Jalapeño Butter. Cook both bags of plain microwave popcorn according to the package directions. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. Melt the salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl, stir in the dried jalapeño flakes, and let stand for 1 minute to soften slightly and release their flavor. Add the garlic powder or smoked paprika, if using.
Toss and Serve. Drizzle the warm jalapeño butter over the popcorn and toss thoroughly until evenly coated. Add the chopped crispy bacon and toss again to distribute evenly. Taste, adjust the seasoning if needed, and serve immediately for the crispiest texture.

Notes

Adjust the Heat: Two tablespoons of dried jalapeño flakes give noticeable heat without being overwhelming. Use 1 tablespoon for mild popcorn or 1½ tablespoons for medium heat. More than 2 tablespoons can get quite spicy and slightly bitter.
Butter: Three tablespoons coat the popcorn well without making it greasy. Extra butter makes it soft and greasy.
Bacon Fat: For more bacon flavor, use 3 tablespoons of melted bacon fat from cooking the bacon in place of the butter, or use half butter and half bacon fat. All versions tasted great. Do not use more than 3 tablespoons of fat in total, or the popcorn will be greasy.
Bacon: We preferred ½ cup of freshly cooked crispy bacon for plenty of smoky flavor. You can reduce it to ⅓ cup, but we do not recommend going lower.
Cooking the Bacon: The time above does not include cooking the bacon. Cook it first, or cook it ahead and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to toss everything together.
Bacon Shortcut: Packaged real bacon bits work in a pinch, but freshly cooked bacon tastes better and stays crispier.
Popcorn: Plain microwave popcorn works best because it lets the jalapeño and bacon flavors stand out.
Seasoning: Mixing the jalapeño flakes into the warm melted butter or bacon fat before adding them to the popcorn helps spread the flavor more evenly.
Salt: Taste before adding salt. The salted butter, bacon, and microwave popcorn seasoning are usually enough.
Best Served Fresh: Enjoy right away for the crispiest texture. The popcorn softens slightly after 15 to 30 minutes, especially if sealed in a container.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. The popcorn will soften and the bacon will lose its crispness. Do not freeze.

Nutrition