This is probably the shortest post I’ve ever written and shared on this blog, which is great for your scrolling fingers, but it happens to be one of my newest favorite snacks. I can’t get enough of this Pepperoni Pizza Popcorn these days. I’ve always been a fan of popcorn in general, but turn it into pizza flavored popcorn and you’ve got the greatest invention ever made! It’s the perfect snack for when you’re curled up on the couch binging your favorite shows or watching your favorite movies. It also makes for a great party appetizer, even though we’re not having parties at the moment…just something to keep in mind. The one downside is that it’s incredible addictive, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I guess it all depends on how you look at it.
It’s ridiculous how easy this recipe is and you don’t really need a recipe specifically, but I’m sharing it regardless. Set a large pot over moderate heat with the olive oil. Once hot, add in the sliced pepperoni and cook, stirring often, until crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pepperoni onto a plate lined with paper towels.
**Note: If you want to keep things vegetarian, you can feel free to omit the pepperoni and just add everything else as written. It’ll still taste just like pizza!**
Add the kernels to the pot and cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook over medium-low heat until more of the kernels have popped and the popping sound has mostly subsided, about 3 to 5 minutes.
**Tip: I like to keep shaking the pot every now and then (without opening the lid because you don’t want to release the steam) to ensure that the kernels evenly pop and don’t burn at the bottom.**
Turn off the heat and remove the lid. Allow to cool slightly before adding in the seasonings, crispy pepperoni and grated parmesan. Place the lid on and carefully shake it all up to evenly distribute.
I always find that homemade popcorn (even the microwavable stuff) is best when eaten right away or at the very least within a couple hours. It really won’t keep well longer than that, as it’ll start to get stale. The good news is that it’s super easy to whip up so you don’t really need to make it in advance, and it’s so addictive that you won’t really have much leftovers!
I like to serve it with a sprinkling of parmesan right before serving as well, because you can never have too much cheese. Plus, this is supposed to taste just like pizza and what’s pizza without lots of cheese?
**Note: If you happen to have some of that processed powdered “parmesan” cheese, this would be the perfect recipe to use it in. It’ll give it an even more distinct pizza flavor!**
I hope you’ll give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving that ultimate snack. It’s salty, it’s cheesy, and so pizza-y. You can’t beat that. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Stay safe my friends.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 ounces pepperoni slices, thinly sliced
- heaping ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Set a large pot over moderate heat with the olive oil. Once hot, add in the sliced pepperoni and cook, stirring often, until crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pepperoni onto a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add the kernels to the pot and cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook over medium-low heat until more of the kernels have popped and the popping sound has mostly subsided, about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep shaking the pot every now and then.
- Turn off the heat and remove the lid. Allow to cool slightly before adding in the seasonings, pepperoni and parmesan. Place the lid on and carefully shake it all up to evenly distribute. Serve immediately while still warm. Enjoy!
What a great idea to combine two things that are absolutely my favorite! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!