Hot Honey Popcorn Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

Forget boring movie night snacks. We’re entering the golden age of “swalty” – that irresistible combination of sweet and salty – and this hot honey popcorn recipe is your ticket in. It’s buttery, crispy, and coated in a spicy-sweet glaze that is completely addictive.

If you’ve seen the hot honey trend explode and wondered how to bring it home, this is the perfect place to start. Using just a few pantry staples, you can create a viral-worthy snack in about 15 minutes. It’s the ultimate high-reward, low-effort recipe that will have everyone reaching for another handful.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Honey Butter Popcorn

This isn’t just another popcorn recipe; it’s an upgrade to your entire snack game. Here’s why it will become your new go-to:

• Perfectly Balanced Flavours: It hits every note—sweet from the honey, salty from the popcorn, spicy from the hot sauce, and rich from the butter.
• Incredibly Fast & Easy: No candy thermometers or complicated steps. From kernels to coated popcorn, you’re looking at about 10 minutes of active time.
• Uses Simple Pantry Staples: No need for a special grocery run. You likely have everything you need right now.
• Guaranteed Crispy & Crunchy: We have a secret tip to ensure your popcorn is never sticky or soggy (more on that below!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this sweet and spicy popcorn is its simplicity. Here’s a quick look at the key players:

• Popcorn: Plain kernels are best, so you can control the salt and butter.
• Butter: Unsalted butter lets you manage the saltiness perfectly.
• Honey: A standard runny honey works best for a smooth glaze.
• Hot Sauce: Sriracha is a fantastic choice for its balanced heat and garlic notes, but feel free to use your favourite brand like Frank’s RedHot or a dash of cayenne pepper for a cleaner heat.
• Salt: Fine sea salt incorporates into the glaze beautifully.

(Full ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!)

How to Make Hot Honey Popcorn (Step-by-Step)

Making this delicious hot honey popcorn recipe is as easy as 1-2-3. We’ll pop, glaze, and toss our way to the perfect crunchy snack.

Step 1: Pop Your Kernels

First, get your popcorn popped. An air popper is great for a light, oil-free base, but a stovetop pan works just as well. The goal is about 12-14 cups of popped corn. Pour it into your largest bowl to give yourself plenty of room for mixing.

Step 2: Create the Hot Honey Glaze

Next, in a small saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, stir in the honey, hot sauce, and salt. Let this mixture come to a low simmer for 1-2 minutes. This quick cook-time helps the glaze thicken just enough to perfectly coat every piece of popcorn.

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Working quickly, pour the hot liquid glaze all over your popped corn. Use a pair of silicone spatulas to gently fold the popcorn, scraping from the bottom up, until every piece is glistening with that gorgeous hot honey butter.

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What to Serve with Hot Honey Popcorn

This sweet and spicy popcorn is a star on its own, but the spicy kick is perfectly balanced by a cool and refreshing drink. For the ultimate movie marathon or game night combo, pair it with a tall, ice-cold glass of Homemade Old-Fashioned Lemonade. The tartness cuts through the richness of the butter and cools the palate.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature. Thanks to the baking step, it will stay crispy for 2-3 days.

Can I use microwave popcorn?

Yes, you can! For best results, use a plain or lightly salted variety. If it’s buttered, you may want to reduce the butter in the glaze by 1-2 tablespoons.

Can I make this hot honey popcorn recipe vegan?

Absolutely. Simply swap the butter for your favourite vegan butter block and use a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.