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My Mexican Popcorn is a fun and easy snack that comes together in the same amount of time as simply popping the kernels. Sprinkle flavorful Mexican spices over warm, freshly popped popcorn. Then, drizzle with melted butter and top with a delightful mixture of tangy, slightly salty Cotija cheese and fresh lime zest.

Mexican popcorn garnished with lime zest in a bowl

This flavorful twist on popcorn makes a great snack for a crowd. Originally created in 2015, this popular recipe has been revamped with additional information to make it a breeze to follow.

 Whip up a large bowl for your Cinco de Mayo celebration or a casual movie night. 

To quench your thirst, transform a juicy summer watermelon into my refreshing Watermelon Jalapeño Agua Fresca (pictured below). It’s naturally non-alcoholic, but feel free to add a spike if you prefer!

2 glasses watermelon jalapeño agua fresca garnished with jalapeño slices and fresh mint and a wedge of lime

Street Corn Meets Popcorn: A Match Made in Snack Heaven!

This recipe draws inspiration from my love of Esquites Mexican Street Corn Salad, wondered how the  taste of Mexican street corn flavor translates to popcorn? The answer: perfectly! There’s nothing quite like customizing your own savory popcorn masterpiece.

Popping Up Perfection: Fresh vs. Microwave Popcorn

I’m a big fan of making popcorn from scratch with fresh popcorn kernels. But hey, if you’re short on time, microwave popcorn works too! Here’s what you’ll need to create your own popcorn magic:

  • A large pan with a tight-fitting lid
  • Oil of your choice
  • Fresh popcorn kernels

If you have an air popper, that’s fantastic as well. For the best results, I recommend using medium-high heat on your stovetop.

A large round bowl filled with Mexican popcorn

How to Pop the Perfect Popcorn

Oil Over Butter:  For a clean pop, avoid butter’s solids that can burn. Instead, choose a high smoke point oil like avocado, safflower, canola, peanut, or refined coconut oil.

Spacious Pan, Clear View:  Use a large, tall pot with a lid for plenty of popping space. A glass lid lets you monitor the kernels without lifting it.

Gentle Heat is Key:  Heat the oil over medium heat to ensure even popping without burning the kernels.

Shake for Even Coating:  Give the pan a few gentle shakes back and forth to coat all the kernels with oil and promote even popping.

Listen for the Slowdown: Once the popping slows to a few pops per second, you know it’s done!

A small wooden bowl and a large round bowl filled with Mexican popcorn

DIY Spice Blend vs. Pre-Made Mix

While pre-mixed Mexican street corn spice blend is convenient, I tend to have all the individual spices on hand.  Here’s what you’ll need to create your own:

  • Chili powder
  • Cumin spice
  • Smoked paprika
  • Coriander

Tangy Cheese & Zesty Lime Topping

For the finishing touch, create a delightful topping by mixing Cotija cheese (similar to feta) with freshly grated lime zest. The tangy cheese perfectly complements the warm spices, while the zesty lime kick adds a refreshing brightness!

A Flavor Fiesta in Every Bite!

This Mexican popcorn is a symphony of flavors. Imagine: buttery richness, nutty undertones, a hint of smoky warmth, and a delightful balance of tangy cheese and citrusy brightness. Each mouthful is an explosion of flavor, making it snack that you won’t be able to resist.

Craving More? Customize Your Popcorn!

Not a fan of Cotija’s salty tang? Feta cheese makes a perfect swap. Want to ramp up the savory goodness? Sprinkle in some nutritional yeast! Here are some other fun ideas to personalize your popcorn experience:

  • Herb it Up: Add a touch of Mexican oregano for a delightful herbal twist.
  • Spice It Up: Take your spice blend to the next level with a sprinkle of garlic powder. For a touch of smoky heat, try ancho chili powder. Craving chipotle warmth? Chipotle powder is your friend!

This recipes yields approximately 16 cups of popped corn.

If you’ve tried this Mexican Popcorn or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!

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Yield: 4

Mexican Popcorn

A rectangle bowl of Mexican popcorn with lime wedges

Flavorful Mexican spices are sprinkled over warm, freshly popped popcorn and melted butter and a mixture of tangy, slightly salty cotija cheese and fresh lime zest is added for a lovely taste sensation.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces (170 grams) Cotijta cheese, crumbled
  • Zest of 1 small lime
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter * see note
  • 6 tablespoons oil that has high smoke point
  • 1 cup (125 grams) popcorn kernels

Instructions

  1. Add the cotija cheese and lime zest to a small bowl and mix well, set aside.
  2. To a small bowl add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander and salt. Set aside.
  3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat, keep warm over low heat.
  4. (Skip this step if using microwave popcorn). Place a large 3 quart/3 liter pan with a lid, over medium heat and add the oil. Add 3 or 4 kernels and place the lid snuggly on the pan. When you hear the kernels start to pop (this tells you when the oil is ready). Add the rest of the kernels, replace the lid. Give the pot a shake back and forth. When you start to hear the popping slow down, turn off the heat and remove the lid.
  5. Pour ¼ of the popcorn into a large bowl and drizzle evenly with ¼ of the butter and a ¼ of the spice blend and cheese mix. Toss to evenly combine. Repeat with another ¼ and repeat. Do these steps until all the popcorn is mixed.

Notes

You can also use salted butter. If you do, omit the salt from the spice blend. You can also add more if needed as this is what helps the spice blend stick.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 475Total Fat 48gSaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 27gCholesterol 73mgSodium 550mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 10g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.

© Janette
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Snacks