Ultimate Smoky Bacon Popcorn: Your New Favorite Savory Snack Recipe
Are you ready to elevate your snack game? Imagine the irresistible crunch of freshly popped popcorn, each kernel infused with rich, savory bacon flavor, and then tossed with actual crispy bacon pieces. This isn’t just popcorn; it’s an experience. Smoky Bacon Popcorn combines the beloved crunch of a classic snack with the undeniable deliciousness of bacon, creating a treat that’s impossible to resist. Bacon + Popcorn. What’s not to love?
Welcome to the Grand Finale of Popcorn Week!
We’ve had an incredible journey this Popcorn Week, exploring the versatility and joy of homemade popcorn. From foundational techniques to exciting flavor combinations, we hope you’ve been inspired to ditch the microwave bags and embrace the simple pleasure of popping kernels the old-fashioned way. There’s a certain magic in hearing those kernels burst to life in a hot pan, and the resulting freshness is unparalleled.
Throughout this special week, we’ve shared a variety of delicious and unique popcorn recipes designed to delight your taste buds. If you’ve missed any, now’s the perfect time to catch up and discover your new favorite snack!
Popcorn Week recipes have included:
- Dutch Oven Popcorn, a comprehensive tutorial for mastering basic popcorn in a Dutch oven – an essential skill for any popcorn enthusiast.
- Salted Caramel Pecan Popcorn, a decadent sweet and salty treat perfect for dessert or a special occasion.
- Dill Pickle Popcorn, an unexpectedly tangy and savory option that’s sure to surprise and please.
- Dutch Oven Kettle Corn, offering that perfect balance of sweet and salty, reminiscent of classic carnival treats.
And now, for the grand finale of this year’s Popcorn Week, we present our Smoky Bacon Popcorn. This recipe stands out from the others because it veers away from traditional popping oils. Instead, we embrace the rich, rendered goodness of bacon grease! Using bacon grease to pop your popcorn isn’t just a quirky twist; it’s a flavor revelation. Each individual kernel becomes imbued with an authentic, deep bacon flavor, ensuring a truly immersive savory experience. It’s a method that promises a truly unforgettable snack.
The Secret Ingredient: Bacon Grease!
For many home cooks, bacon grease is a treasured staple, a culinary secret weapon. And honestly, who can blame us? It’s a flavor enhancer like no other.
1) It’s like a delicious, free bonus when you cook bacon. You invest in some quality bacon, and you get a fantastic cooking fat as a reward. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
2) Beyond the “free” aspect, bacon grease simply adds an incredible depth of flavor to almost anything it touches. From sautéing vegetables to frying eggs, and especially for popping popcorn, its smoky, salty essence transforms ordinary dishes into something extraordinary. This is precisely why it’s the star of our Smoky Bacon Popcorn.
A Guide to Saving and Using Bacon Grease
If you’re new to saving bacon grease, it’s a remarkably simple process. After frying bacon, carefully pour the hot grease through a fine-mesh strainer (or a coffee filter set in a funnel) into a heat-proof jar or container. This removes any small bits of cooked bacon, which can spoil faster. Allow it to cool completely on the countertop before covering it tightly and storing it in your refrigerator. Properly stored, bacon grease can last for several months, ready to impart its magic into your cooking. Besides popcorn, try using it to roast potatoes, fry chicken, or even make cornbread for an extra savory kick.
Crafting the Perfect Smoky Flavor Profile
While the bacon grease provides a foundational flavor, we amplify the “smoky” and “savory” notes with a carefully selected blend of seasonings. For our bacon popcorn, we rely on seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and freshly ground black pepper.
The seasoned salt contributes an all-around savory base with a hint of onion and garlic. Smoked paprika is the true hero here, adding an extra layer of deep, rich smokiness that complements the bacon beautifully, making the popcorn even more aromatic and flavorful. Finally, a touch of freshly ground black pepper provides a subtle warmth and a bit of zing, perfectly balancing the other flavors without overpowering them. This combination ensures every bite is a burst of delicious, savory goodness.
Crispy Bacon Bits: The Essential Topping
No Smoky Bacon Popcorn would be complete without actual pieces of bacon mixed throughout! For this recipe, you have the flexibility to use either freshly crumbled, crispy bacon or convenient store-bought bacon bits. Use whatever you have readily available or what fits your preference for texture and effort.
If you’re using fresh bacon, cook 3-4 slices until they are perfectly crispy, then drain them well and crumble them into small pieces. Be mindful that if you mix in larger chunks of bacon, they tend to sink to the bottom of the bowl, leaving you with a delicious surprise at the end! To ensure more even distribution, aim for smaller crumbles. Store-bought bacon bits are a great shortcut and offer a consistent texture, though they might not have the same depth of flavor as freshly cooked bacon. Whichever you choose, these crispy morsels are crucial for the full bacon popcorn experience.
Please note: This recipe is written with the assumption that you already have bacon grease on hand. If you don’t, you’ll need to fry your bacon first to render the necessary bacon grease for popping the popcorn. Due to the significant variations in thickness and fat-to-meat ratio across different bacon brands, it’s difficult to recommend an exact number of slices to yield enough grease for this recipe. That said, starting with approximately 1/2 pound of bacon should be sufficient to produce 3-4 tablespoons of grease, along with some extra crispy bacon for topping.
Smoky Bacon Popcorn
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2 minutes
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7 minutes
Ingredients
- 3-4 Tablespoons bacon grease*
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons bacon bits
- or
- 3 slices fresh crumbled bacon
- Melted butter to taste
Instructions
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Add 3-4 Tablespoons bacon grease* to your Dutch oven along with 3-4 popcorn kernels. Cover with the lid and heat over medium heat for about 2 minutes or until you hear the kernels pop. *(See Note 1)
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When you hear the test kernels pop, you’ll know the bacon grease is the right temperature for cooking the popcorn. Add the remaining popcorn kernels to the pan and cover with the lid.
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Cook over medium heat for approximately 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan about every 30-60 seconds to help keep the popcorn from burning. When the pops begin to slow down significantly (about 1-2 seconds between pops), remove the pan from the heat but leave the lid on for an additional 15-20 seconds. This allows any “late bloomers” to pop safely, preventing burns from rogue kernels.
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Once popping has completely ceased, carefully transfer the popcorn to a large serving bowl. Use a large slotted spoon to make it easier to sort out and discard any unpopped kernels from the bottom of the pot.
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Immediately after transferring, season the warm popcorn with the seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper. Stir gently to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed over all the kernels. For an extra touch of richness, drizzle with melted butter if desired.
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Finally, sprinkle generously with your chosen bacon bits or freshly crumbled bacon. Serve immediately and enjoy this incredibly savory and satisfying snack! *(See Note 2)
Notes
2. Because this popcorn is cooked in bacon grease and contains cooked bacon, it is best enjoyed the day it is made. The fat from the bacon grease can cause the popcorn to go stale faster than popcorn popped in vegetable oil. For optimal flavor and crunch, try to consume it within a few hours of preparation.
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Tips for the Best Smoky Bacon Popcorn
- Choose Quality Kernels: The type of popcorn kernels you use can make a difference. Opt for fresh, high-quality unpopped kernels for the best results and fewest “old maids” (unpopped kernels).
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Only add the recommended amount of kernels to your Dutch oven. Overcrowding can lead to uneven popping and more burnt kernels.
- Shake it Regularly: Consistent shaking, especially in the initial stages, helps distribute the heat and bacon grease evenly, resulting in maximum pop and minimal burn.
- Season While Hot: Popcorn absorbs seasonings best when it’s hot and fresh out of the pot. Don’t wait too long to add your seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and pepper.
- Melted Butter is Optional but Recommended: While the bacon grease adds plenty of richness, a drizzle of melted butter can enhance the overall flavor and help the seasonings adhere even better.
Storage and Longevity
As mentioned in the recipe notes, this Smoky Bacon Popcorn is definitely best enjoyed immediately after it’s made. The bacon grease, while providing incredible flavor, also contains fats that can cause the popcorn to soften and go stale much faster than popcorn made with neutral vegetable oils.
If you happen to have leftovers (which is unlikely given how delicious it is!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. While it will still be edible the next day, it won’t have the same crisp texture. For the ultimate snacking experience, gather your ingredients and make a fresh batch whenever the craving strikes!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a different oil if I don’t have bacon grease?
While you can use coconut oil or another high-smoke-point oil to pop popcorn, the unique smoky flavor of this recipe comes from the bacon grease. Using a different oil will result in a less intensely flavored popcorn, even if you add the bacon bits and seasonings. We highly recommend making the effort to render bacon for the grease if you don’t already have it on hand for the full experience.
Can I prepare the bacon ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can cook and crumble your bacon a day or two in advance. Store the crispy bacon bits in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to make the popcorn, simply sprinkle them on at the end. This can save you a few minutes in prep time.
Is this recipe suitable for air poppers or microwave popcorn makers?
This recipe is specifically designed for stovetop popping using bacon grease. Air poppers do not use oil, so you wouldn’t get the infused bacon flavor. Microwave popcorn makers are also not suitable for this method. For the best results, stick to the Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot as instructed.
There you have it – the ultimate guide to making Smoky Bacon Popcorn, a truly sensational snack that combines two of life’s greatest pleasures! Whether for a movie night, a party appetizer, or just a treat for yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. Don’t forget to savor every smoky, crispy, savory bite!
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