Mexican Popcorn Seasoning (Spicy Palomitas Mix)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

Easy to make: Mix a few pantry spices together in minutes.

Spicy and savory: Chile de árbol, cumin, garlic, and oregano give popcorn a bold flavor, balanced with a little sugar.

Adjustable heat: Use less chile for a milder seasoning or add chipotle for extra kick.

Great for snacking: Sprinkle it over popcorn for movie night, game day, or an afternoon treat.

-Maggie

Ingredients

Popcorn – Pop some fresh from kernels, in the microwave, or pick up a bag from the grocery store.

Salt enhances the flavors of the popcorn and other spices.

Sugar for balance

Oregano adds a robust herby taste.

Cumin is earthy and warm.

Garlic Powder is pungent and tasty.

Chile de Arbol is spicy. Swap out for paprika if you’re not into really spicy food.

Red Cayenne Pepper – Either flakes, crushed, ground, or look for red chili powder or ground cayenne.

Want to spice it up even more? Try adding ½ teaspoon more of the chile de arbol or add ½ teaspoon of ground chipotle.

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the salt, sugar, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, chile de árbol, and red pepper flakes or powder.

Place the freshly popped popcorn in a large bowl.

Lightly spray the popped popcorn with oil, or drizzle with the melted butter.

Sprinkle the seasoning over the popcorn a little at a time, tossing to coat evenly.

Taste and add more seasoning as desired. Serve immediately.

Popcorn is best when it is freshly popped. Bagged popcorn doesn’t last more than a few days.

I suggest adding a little of the seasoning mix at a time. Add more or less depending on personal taste.

This is a working recipe, a starting point. Adjust as you see fit.

Double the batch and save some for later. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 months.

🇲🇽 Mexican Toppings for Popcorn

A very popular topping is hot sauce like Valentina or Tapatio.

Pickled jalapenos are tangy and sweet.

Ketchup. Yes, ketchup, the same red tomato sauce used on top of hot dogs.

Mayonnaise. Or, a mixture of mayonnaise with ketchup.

Tajin is tangy, sweet and a little spicy.

Lime juice makes popcorn zesty and bright.

Chamoy is syrupy and spicy, often paired with candy and other antojitos.

Butter. A classic that is enjoyed all around the world.

Not all of these are found at movie concession stands, but you will find some, if not several. Don’t knock them til you try ‘em.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

What are palomitas?

Palomitas is the Spanish word for popcorn. In Mexico, popcorn is often enjoyed with toppings like hot sauce, lime juice, chile powder, and Tajín.

What is Mexican popcorn seasoning made of?

This spicy popcorn seasoning uses salt, sugar, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, chile de árbol, and red pepper flakes or powder. Butter or butter spray helps the seasoning stick to the popcorn.

How do you make popcorn seasoning stick?

Lightly spray freshly popped popcorn with butter spray or drizzle it with melted butter before adding the seasoning. Sprinkle a little at a time and toss well to coat.

How spicy is this palomitas seasoning mix?

This mix has a noticeable kick from the chile de árbol and red cayenne pepper. For a milder version, replace the chile de árbol with paprika and reduce the red pepper to taste.

How do you store homemade popcorn seasoning?

Store the dry seasoning mixture in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to four months. For the best flavor, keep it dry and add it to popcorn just before serving.