How to make Smoked BBQ Popcorn
This Smoked BBQ Popcorn recipe is the perfect snack. Make a batch for yourself or share it with friends and family on game day or movie night.
Made with fresh popcorn kernels, butter, oil, and your favorite dry rub seasoning, this recipe is too good not to share!
In search of more tasty snacks? Consider making Spicy Smoked Pretzel Snacks, Maryland Crab Guacamole with Jumbo Lump Crab, or Smoked Bacon Wrapped Oreos!
Smoked BBQ Popcorn
We’ve smoked a lot of different and fun things together … so let’s add another fun recipe to the ranks!
This smoked popcorn recipe is something new I whipped up, and I promise you, it does NOT disappoint.
The best part is, it’s easy to make, easy to keep on hand to enjoy later, and even easier to share with friends while enjoying a game.
BBQ Popcorn Ingredients
Popcorn: To make this delicious BBQ popcorn, you are going to need 1 cup of your favorite popcorn kernels.
Flavor: For cooking and for flavor, you are going to need 2 tsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of butter, and 2 tsp of your favorite bbq dry rub.
How to Make Smoked BBQ Popcorn
Smoke the kernels. Pour kernels, olive oil, butter, and rub into a cast iron skillet and smoke at 225 degrees f for 90 minutes.
Pop the popcorn. Add the kernels to a popcorn popper and prepare just as you would normal popcorn.
Load on the butter. As soon as the popcorn is popped, add melted butter and additional dry rub to taste.
Recipe Tips, Tricks, and Variations
Make in Advance: If you are looking to make this recipe ahead of time, you can make the popcorn kernels up to 5 days before you need them. Once you are done smoking the kernels, let them cool and then store them in an airtight container.
Wood Chips: Whenever it comes to smoking, I always get asked which wood chunks, wood chips, or wood pellets I would recommend. For this popcorn recipe, I would recommend smoking with hickory wood pellets.
Popcorn Maker: To make popcorn, I like to the Dash Popcorn Maker. Highly recommend it for easy and tasty popcorn-making!
Make a lot: Make more of this popcorn than you think you will need because people will be going back for seconds, thirds, and fourths.
The Best BBQ Rubs
You can use any BBQ rub or Seasoning you have on hand or find at the store. However, if you are looking to try one of my favorites, I recommend checking out:
- Old Bay
- Cajun Magic
- Spiceology Black & Bleu
- Dill Pickle
Can you make popcorn on the grill?
Absolutely! Grab some popcorn kernels, butter, oil, salt, and some of your favorite dry rub, along with some tin foil. Make a “basket” with your tinfoil, throw it over the heat, and shake away!
Will popcorn burn without oil?
No! Butter and oil are not needed to make popcorn pop, and it won’t burn without it. In fact, adding butter or oil to popcorn is really just there to add flavor.
Can dogs eat popcorn?
Alright, I recommend sharing this recipe with your friends and family, but I don’t necessarily recommend sharing it with your furry friends.
Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities, but I am not too sure about smoked BBQ popcorn. As always, consult your vet before feeding your pet popcorn***
How to make Smoked BBQ Popcorn
Equipment
- 1 Popcorn Maker
- 1 Cast Iron Skillet
- 1 grill/smoker
Ingredients
- 1 cup Popcorn Kernels
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 tsp BBQ Dry Rub
Toppings (optional)
- Season Salt
- Old Bay
- Parmesan Cheese
- Truffle Oil
- Butter
- Nacho Cheese Powder
Instructions
- Pour kernels, olive oil, butter, and rub into a cast iron skillet and smoke at 225 degrees f for 90 minutes.
- Add the kernels to a popcorn popper and prepare just as you would typical popcorn.
- As soon as popcorn is popped, add additional toppings to your taste.