Categories: Thanksgiving Popcorn

3 Thanksgiving Appetizer Popcorn Snack Mix Ideas

Thanksgiving is almost here, and for most of us that means two things: family and food! If you’re going to have relatives gathering at your house this year and you’re looking for some fun, easy, and tasty snack ideas for everyone to munch on while waiting for the turkey to come out of the oven, look no further. We’ve scoured the internet to find the best popcorn snack recipes for Thanksgiving!

Horn of Plenty Popcorn Snack Mix

This first snack idea requires no baking (helpful, since your oven will be otherwise occupied) and is easy to throw together.

Start with six cups of butter-flavored popcorn. Melt 16 ounces of candy coating or almond bark in the microwave, then mix it with the popcorn, stirring until all the kernels are coated.

Now spread the candy-coated popcorn out on a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. While the coating is still warm, throw on decorative sprinkles in whatever colors you feel like.

Give the candy coating 20-30 minutes to cool, then break the popcorn into pieces. Combine it with half of a 12 ounce bag of pretzels, an 8 ounce can of salted nuts, two cups of Bugles, and your choice of candy like M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces.

Savory and Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix

Many popcorn snacks mix savory and sweet flavors. This next recipe is a go-to if you want to really lean into the savory side and save your sweet tooth for pumpkin pie or another post-feast dessert.

Start with eight cups of popcorn. Using a microwave-safe bowl, melt together a quarter cup of unsalted butter, half a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce.

Now add half a teaspoon each of salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and dill weed, and a quarter teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder. You can throw in a dash of cayenne pepper if you’re feeling really adventurous.

Put your popcorn in a clean brown paper grocery bag. Pour half the butter and spices mixture over the popcorn in the bag, hold it closed, and give it a good shake. Add the other half of the butter mixture and repeat. You can serve immediately or wait for everything to cool, your choice.

Maple and More Popcorn Snack Mix

Our final popcorn snack mix recipe, on the other hand, is for those of you who come down on the sweeter side. You’ll need to use your oven for this one, so it may be a good idea to make it a day or two in advance.

Start with eight cups of butter flavored popcorn. Pour it into a big bowl coated with cooking spray, and add half a cup of dried cranberries and half a cup of chopped nuts.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine a tablespoon of butter, a quarter cup of maple syrup, two tablespoons of light brown sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper. Bring it all to a boil and then cook for one minute.

Add a heaping teaspoon of apple pie spice. Lower the temperature to a simmer for two minutes, then cool for five.

Pour the combined syrup over your popcorn and nuts, stirring until everything is coated. Spread the mix on a prepared baking sheet, then bake at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool, then break into clusters to serve.

Start Your Thanksgiving Celebration with Topsy’s!

Whether you’re following a seasonal snack mix recipe or you just plan to pass a tin around while watching the parade, Topsy’s popcorn is the perfect appetizer for your Thanksgiving meal. Order a tin today!