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    You are here: Home / Snacks / Chili Spiced Popcorn

    Chili Spiced Popcorn

    Douglas Cullen, This blog generates income via ads and affiliate links which earn us a small commission.

    A Snacking Discovery

    This spicy chili popcorn was a cool discovery. We were having a get-together at the house. A friend arrived with a large bag that contained an air popper, avocado oil, chile flakes, and salt. We asked her why she bothered to bring all of that stuff. She told us that she was going to make us a great snack. We thought it would have been easier to just bring a bag of chips.

    “Palomitas,” Better Than Chips

    Popcorn is called palomitas, “little doves” in Mexico. It may have been easier to bring some chips to the party but this spiced popcorn was far superior. It goes really well with a crisp, cold beer and some good conversation. As a plus, the avocado oil is healthy although you really should eat it because it’s a great snack.

    Chili Spiced Popcorn
    Popcorn Spiced with Chile Piquín, Avocado Oil, and Sea Salt

    How to Make It

    A recipe really isn’t required. Here’s what you do to make spicy chili popcorn. Make a big bowl of air-popped popcorn. Drizzle the popcorn with a good quality avocado oil. Sprinkle it with chili flakes or chile powder and salt to taste. Don’t drown it with oil. You want just enough to add flavor and allow the chili and salt to stick but not so much that the popcorn becomes soggy.

    Popcorn Spiced with Chili and Avocado Oil
    Popcorn Spiced with Piquín Chile, Avocado Oil, and Sea Salt.

    The Secret

    The secret to this snack is the avocado oil which has a distinct herbal flavor that pairs well with the chili. Be sure to get a higher quality oil. Lower quality oils tend to taste flat or stale.

    Variations – Flavored Popcorn Toppings

    • Chili lime popcorn – Instead of adding chile flakes, sprinkle the oil drizzled popcorn with lime juice and salt.
    • A light flavored olive oil works well too.
    • Try flavored salts instead of the chile flakes.
    • Try flakes or powders made from different chilis. The flavor changes significantly.
    Chili Spiced Popcorn
    Print Pin
    3 from 3 votes

    Chili Spiced Popcorn

    Air-popped popcorn drizzled with avocado oil and dusted with chili powder. A healthy Mexican snack.
    Course Snack
    Cuisine Mexican
    Keyword avocado oil, chili powder, popcorn
    Prep Time 1 minute minute
    Cook Time 4 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 495kcal
    Author Douglas Cullen

    Ingredients

    • 1 batch air-popped popcorn
    • 2 tbsp. avocado oil
    • 1 tsp. chile piquín powder
    • 1 tsp. sea salt

    Instructions

    • Make a batch of air-popped popcorn.
    • Drizzle the popcorn with a good quality avocado oil and toss.
    • Sprinkle it with chili flakes or chile powder and salt to taste and toss.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1996mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1570IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 2.7mg

    More Mexican Snack Recipes

    • Street Corn – Esquites
    • Queso con Carne
    • Guacamole
    • Strawberry Chipotle Cream Cheese Dip
    • Cream Cheese Dip with Sesame and Soy Sauce
    • Pico de Gallo

    More Snacks

    • Mexican Street Corn in a Cup Called Esquites
      Mexican Street Corn – Esquites
    • Homemade Tortilla Chips Totopos
      How to Make Tortilla Chips (Totopos)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Steve says

      July 13, 2017 at 7:48 am

      If you live in Texas and have an HEB nearby, get a bottle of Julio’s Seasoning. Pop a bag of popcorn in the microwave, open bag, season with Julio’s, close bag, shake like heck for about 15 seconds.

      Eat.

      Reply
      • Douglas Cullen says

        July 19, 2017 at 2:05 pm

        We’ll have to try that next time we are in Texas! Sounds good!

        Reply

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    Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

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