Infused with a subtle lime flavor and tossed with gentle smoky spices, this light, buttery, chile lime popcorn is a great way to change up popcorn.

I have long since thought that the perfect party would consist of about 50 different savory and sweet varieties of popcorn. Just that. Popcorn. Oh, and maybe some water or another simple beverage.

I’m so fancy, I know. But I love, love, love popcorn.

Spice-topped popped popcorn on a brown plate.

Not just the simple, buttered kind, but I adore other savory styles of popcorn, too, and this Chile Lime Popcorn is just about the tastiest set of kernels I’ve ever eaten.

Infused with a subtle lime flavor and tossed with gentle smoky spices, this light, buttery, spicy snack is a great way to change up serving regular ol’ popcorn.

A bowl full of this magical popcorn would be perfect alongside any appetizer, dessert spread, or served for movie night or game day.

Delicious stuff. Enough said.

Popped popcorn on a brown plate.
Chile Lime Popcorn

Chile Lime Popcorn

5 stars (3 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 4 quarts freshly popped popcorn
  • cup 5 1/3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice, from about 1-2 limes
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil, silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Put the popped popcorn in a large, clean paper bag or a jumbo-sized ziploc bag (which is what I used). In a small bowl whisk together the butter and lime juice. In another small bowl combine the lime zest, black pepper, salt, red pepper, and cumin.
  • Drizzle half of the butter mixture over the popcorn, fold over or close the top of the bag, and shake until the popcorn is coated and moist. Taste. Add more of the butter mixture if you like, and give a second shake. Sprinkle most of the pepper mixture over the popcorn, fold over or close the top of the bag, and shake a few times to coat. Taste, and if you’d like more pepper flavor add the rest of it. Toss to combine.
  • Spread the popcorn evenly over the baking sheet and bake until the popcorn is dry, 5-7 minutes. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve (this is best served within a few hours).
Serving: 1 Cup, Calories: 77kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 109mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g
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Recipe Source: adapted from 101 Cookbooks, originally from Popcorn by Patrick Evans-Hylton