Pizza Popcorn

Got a few tablespoons of tomato paste hanging out in the fridge? Turn those leftovers into pizza popcorn! This flavored popcorn recipe transforms just a little bit of tomato paste into a savory tomato butter that brings garlicky, herby flavor to plain popcorn—just like your favorite pie.

A quick bake helps the coating crisp onto the popcorn, then a shower of Parmesan finishes things off. It’s perfect for movie night, game day, after-school munching or anytime you’re craving a pizza-inspired snack.

Ingredients for Pizza Popcorn

• Popcorn: You’ll need 2-1/2 quarts (10 cups) of popped popcorn for this recipe. Freshly popped popcorn has the best flavor, but bagged popcorn works in a pinch. Just choose plain, unflavored popcorn—the buttery kind is better saved for another snack since you’ll be coating it with a pizza-inspired butter mixture. Use an air popper, try our microwave bag trick, or pop it on the stovetop with a bit of oil.
• Butter: Unsalted butter gives you more control over the seasoning, since the recipe also calls for salt and garlic salt. Cut the butter into cubes so it melts quickly and evenly. If salted butter is all you have, just go a little lighter on the added salt.
• Tomato paste: This is a great recipe for using up that little bit of tomato paste left in the fridge. I like buying tomato paste in tubes so I can squeeze out exactly what I need and keep the rest refrigerated for another recipe.
• Italian seasoning: This handy spice blend brings all those classic pizza-shop herbs to the popcorn. Find it in the spice aisle, or mix up your own homemade Italian seasoning with dried herbs you already have on hand.
• Garlic salt: Garlic salt is simply garlic powder blended with salt, so it adds both seasoning and garlicky flavor in one step. No garlic salt? Use garlic powder and add a little extra salt to taste.
• Parmesan cheese: Use finely grated Parmesan rather than shredded cheese. The fine texture melts and clings to the warm popcorn, giving you cheesy flavor in every bite.

Directions

Step 1: Make the tomato butter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning and garlic salt until the mixture is smooth.

Step 2: Toss and bake the popcorn

Place the popped popcorn in an ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan. Pour the seasoned butter over the popcorn and toss until evenly it’s coated. Bake the popcorn, uncovered, for 15 minutes, tossing it halfway through.

Editor’s Tip: Spread the popcorn into a single layer so it crisps evenly. If your pan feels crowded, divide the popcorn between two baking pans.

Step 3: Finish it with cheese

Remove the popcorn from the oven and sprinkle it with grated Parmesan while it’s still warm. Toss it once more before serving it.

Pizza Popcorn Variations

• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne to the tomato-butter mixture for a little heat.
• Try a different seasoning: Replace the Italian seasoning and garlic salt with a homemade garlic-herb popcorn seasoning for a slightly different flavor.
• Add some meat: Toss in mini pepperoni or bacon bits after baking the popcorn to give it a meat lovers twist. Can’t find mini pepperoni? Finely chop regular pepperoni into bite-sized pieces.
• Turn it into a salad topping: For a fun potluck or party dish, use the pizza popcorn as a crunchy topping for a simple salad. Layer greens with cherry tomatoes and shredded Parmesan or mini mozzarella balls, then sprinkle the pizza popcorn over top just before serving for a salty, cheesy crunch similar to croutons.

Can you store pizza popcorn?

Pizza popcorn is best enjoyed fresh and warm from of the oven. If you have leftover popcorn, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. It may lose a little of its crispness over time, but a quick reheat in the oven can help bring back some of that crunch.

How do you reheat pizza popcorn?

To reheat leftover pizza popcorn, spread it on a baking sheet and warm it in a 250° oven for about five minutes.

Pizza Popcorn Tips

What’s the best popcorn to use?

Plain, freshly popped popcorn is your best bet for the freshest flavor and crispest texture. Air-popped, stovetop and bagged popcorn will all do the trick. Just skip heavily buttered or flavored varieties since the tomato-butter mixture brings plenty of its own flavor.

Can you make pizza popcorn with pepperoni?

Absolutely! You can add mini pepperoni or finely chopped pepperoni to the pizza popcorn after baking to give it a pepperoni pie twist. You could also use bacon bits or finely crumbled bacon for extra smoky, meaty flavor.

Do you have to bake pizza popcorn?

Yes, baking is an essential step in this popcorn recipe. It helps the tomato-butter mixture dry onto the popcorn, giving it a crisp, crunchy texture instead of a greasy or soggy one. A quick toss halfway through helps the coating crisp up evenly.