When the hankering for a movie-night snack arises, toss the bag of processed buttered popcorn (which tends to be high in salt and fat) and go homemade. With a blend of spices, including a little peppery heat and just a hint of no-salt substitute, you won’t notice that your snack is a no-sodium treat. Simply spray plain air-popped popcorn with a little oil and toss with your favorite spice combination.
A typical bag of movie theater popcorn contains a whopping 1,300 mg of sodium. Hold the processed salts and margarines and make popcorn at home using heart-healthy ingredients: a better-for-you, better-tasting bowl of kernels that comes together faster than standing in line at the concession stand.
- Cinnamon and chocolate: Toss with 1/4 teaspoon each cocoa powder and cinnamon.
- Pumpkin pie: Toss with 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/8 teaspoon each allspice and nutmeg.
- Parmesan parsley: Toss with 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh parsley.
- Caramel: In a small saucepan, simmer 1 1/2 teaspoons olive or coconut oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup. Drizzle over popcorn and toss.
- Chocolate peanut: Toss popcorn with 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon peanuts.
- White truffle: Drizzle with 1 teaspoon white truffle oil and 1 teaspoon olive oil and toss.
- Cinnamon sugar: Toss with 1 1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter and brown sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon.
- Spicy Thai: Toss with 1 teaspoon each curry powder and dried basil, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, and zest of 1 lime.
- Hot chocolate: Toss with 1/4 cup mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon hot chocolate mix.
- Dark chocolate: Heat 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips in the microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring with a spatula after each interval until melted. Drizzle on popcorn and toss.
For more tips and recipes like this, visit Low Salt Kitchen. Follow Mckenzie Ellis @lowsaltkitchen
