Introduction

Oh, fall! Is there anything better than that crisp air, the changing leaves, and the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice wafting through the house? For me, it instantly brings back memories of cozy movie nights with family, bonfires with friends, and, of course, delicious homemade treats. And speaking of treats, I’ve got a recipe for you today that’s pure autumn magic in a bowl. It’s my go-to Pumpkin Spice Popcorn, and trust me, it’s so ridiculously easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, we’re talking minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those last-minute cravings or when you need a quick snack.
Easy: No fancy techniques here! If you can stir, you can make this. It’s a recipe even the littlest helpers can get involved with.
Giftable: Imagine tucking a cute bag of this popcorn into a friend’s stocking or bringing it to a fall gathering. It’s a thoughtful, homemade delight!
Crowd-pleasing: From kids to adults, everyone goes a little bit crazy for this sweet and spiced popcorn. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this simple, delicious snack:

8 cups popped popcorn: This is about 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels. You can pop it on the stovetop, in an air popper, or even use microwave popcorn (just make sure it’s plain or lightly salted, no butter flavoring if possible, so the pumpkin spice can shine!).
2 tablespoons melted butter: Just enough to give the popcorn a lovely sheen and help the spices stick. Unsalted is best so you can control the saltiness.
1 tablespoon sugar: Granulated sugar works perfectly here for a touch of sweetness.
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice: This is the star of the show! If you don’t have a pre-made blend, you can usually make it with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The aroma alone is pure autumn bliss!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this cozy treat made! It’s so straightforward, you’ll be munching in no time.

Pop Your Popcorn: First things first, get your popcorn popped and ready. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels – nobody likes a surprise crunch in their snack!
Melt the Butter: While your popcorn is popping, gently melt your butter. You can do this in a small saucepan on the stove or in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts.
Combine Everything: Grab a nice, big bowl. Add your freshly popped popcorn to it. Now, drizzle that melted butter all over the popcorn. Sprinkle the sugar and then the pumpkin pie spice right on top.
Toss with Love: Here’s the fun part! Gently toss everything together. You want to make sure every kernel gets a little bit of that buttery, sweet, and spicy goodness. I like to use my hands for this (washed, of course!) because it gives you the best control, but two large spoons can work too. Just be gentle so you don’t crush all the popcorn.
Enjoy Immediately! That’s it! Your delicious Pumpkin Spice Popcorn is ready to be devoured. Serve it up in bowls and dive in!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully simple, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play around with it! Here are some ideas:

Spicier Kick: Love a bit of heat? Add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle warmth that pairs surprisingly well with the sweet spices.
Extra Sweetness: If you have a serious sweet tooth, you can add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup or honey along with the melted butter.
Chocolate Drizzle: For a truly decadent treat, melt some white chocolate or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the finished popcorn. So good!
Nutty Crunch: Toss in a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
Different Spices: Feel free to adjust the pumpkin pie spice to your liking. If you particularly love cinnamon, add a bit more!

Tips for Success

Even with a recipe this easy, a few little tricks can make it even better:

Popcorn Freshness: For the best flavor and texture, use freshly popped popcorn. Stale popcorn can be a bit chewy and won’t hold the coating as well.
Even Coating: Make sure to toss thoroughly but gently. The goal is an even distribution of the butter and spices.
Don’t Over-Butter: Too much butter can make the popcorn soggy. Stick to the measured amount for that perfect coating.
Prep Ahead: You can pop your popcorn a little bit ahead of time and keep it in a large, loosely covered bowl while you get the other ingredients ready.

How to Store It

This Pumpkin Spice Popcorn is best enjoyed fresh, but if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), here’s how to store it:

Once completely cooled, store the popcorn in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature.
It should stay fresh and delicious for about 2-3 days. After that, it might start to lose its crispiness.

FAQs

Got a few lingering questions? I’ve got you covered!

Q: Can I make this popcorn ahead of time?

A: You can pop your popcorn a little bit before you plan to season it, but it’s best to toss it with the butter and spices right before serving for the freshest, crispiest texture.

Q: How do I make my own pumpkin pie spice if I don’t have it?

A: No problem! A basic homemade pumpkin pie spice blend is usually 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves. Adjust to your preference!

Q: Is this recipe good for movie night?

A: Absolutely! It’s the perfect snack for any movie night. It’s easy to share and has that irresistible sweet and spiced flavor that everyone loves.

Pumpkin Spice Popcorn

Cozy up with this incredibly easy and delicious pumpkin spice popcorn recipe, perfect for fall movie nights or any time you crave an autumn treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Servings 8 cups

Equipment

Large bowl
Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for melting butter
Measuring spoons
air popper or stovetop for popping popcorn (optional)

Ingredients

Main ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn about 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels; plain or lightly salted recommended
2 tablespoons melted butter unsalted is best
1 tablespoon sugar granulated
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

First things first, get your popcorn popped and ready. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels – nobody likes a surprise crunch in their snack!
While your popcorn is popping, gently melt your butter. You can do this in a small saucepan on the stove or in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts.
Grab a nice, big bowl. Add your freshly popped popcorn to it. Now, drizzle that melted butter all over the popcorn. Sprinkle the sugar and then the pumpkin pie spice right on top.
Here’s the fun part! Gently toss everything together. You want to make sure every kernel gets a little bit of that buttery, sweet, and spicy goodness. I like to use my hands for this (washed, of course!) because it gives you the best control, but two large spoons can work too. Just be gentle so you don't crush all the popcorn.
That's it! Your delicious Pumpkin Spice Popcorn is ready to be devoured. Serve it up in bowls and dive in!

Notes

This popcorn is best enjoyed fresh. If storing leftovers, keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.