Everything Bagel Popcorn
Popcorn is one of those snacks that really never gets old, I think I could honestly eat it everyday. My go to flavor has always been a drizzle of olive oil with a pinch of salt and A LOT of nutritional yeast (which is absolutely delicious if you haven’t yet tried it). But I was interested in mixing it up a bit. This healthy snack lets you enjoy your favorite breakfast flavor anytime of the day.
Everything bagel seasoning has been quite popular, and for good reason. Beyond the bagel, this seasoning combo is delicious on chicken or fish, egg and veggie scrambles, pizza crust, and many more savory applications. I have found an easy way to flavor one of my favorite snacks with this tasty seasoning blend.
I buy the ingredients for my homemade everything bagel seasoning in the bulk spice section of the grocery store. The seasoning mix itself does not stick very well to popcorn kernels, so I decided to grind it to a sand-like texture for flavor in every bite. Pop your kernels using your favorite popcorn cooking method. Next simply drizzle your popcorn with olive oil, or even use an olive oil cooking spray for an even coating. And finally sprinkle as much ground everything bagel seasoning on as you would like. If you are making this as a date night snack, make sure you and your sweetie are both enjoying some with all of its garlicky goodness!
Kitchen Tip!
No air popper, no problem! I typically pop popcorn on the stovetop, in a lidded pot with a small amount of heated oil, or in a glass bowl in the microwave with a small microwave-safe plate set on top. Maybe one day I will invest in an air popper, but I need a larger kitchen first!
Health Benefits!
Not only is popcorn a crunchy, salty, and satisfying snack, but it is a whole grain option as well! Many of us are falling short of our daily recommended fiber intake, 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. One serving of popcorn provides 5 grams, making it a high fiber snack. There are many health benefits associated with adequate fiber consumption such as supporting healthy digestion and keeping our gut bacteria healthy and diverse. Additionally whole grains have been linked to lowering our risk for gastrointestinal disorders and certain cancers, as well as helping us to maintain our blood sugars and have a feeling of fullness after meals or snacks. Research on whole grain consumption has shown beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, blood lipids, and inflammation.1 Additionally, there as been an inverse association between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and whole grain consumption.1
Bonus! Seeds such as sesame seeds and poppy seeds are also great sources of fiber. So you will be sprinkling fiber on your high fiber snack!
Everything Bagel Popcorn
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp dried onion
- 2 tsp dried garlic
- 2 tsp poppyseeds
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp course salt
- 1/4 tsp (or less) red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups popped popcorn (I popped 1/4 cup dried kernels)
Instructions:
- Mix together everything bagel seasoning ingredients in a small bowl or dish.
- Add 2 Tbsp everything bagel seasoning to a small blender or food processor and pulse until texture is similar to finely ground coffee and set aside.
- Pop popcorn kernels in your favorite fashion, air popper, microwave, or stovetop.
- Drizzle with olive oil than sprinkle ground everything bagel seasoning and mix with a spoon until most of the kernels are coated.
- Enjoy!
Notes:
Resources
Wu H, Flint AJ, Qi Q, et al. Association between dietary whole grain intake and risk of mortality: two large prospective studies in US men and women. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(3):373-384. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.6283
