There are three just-cooked scents that will put anyone’s flavor anttanae on high alert: Popcorn, bacon and chocolate chip cookies. You can smell ’em as soon as your foot hits the threshold and like a treat-obsessed dog of any size you go straight for the goods to sample a bite.
So what would it taste like to have all three of these in one taste treat delight? Sorry, but you won’t find out in this post.
What I will be sharing with you is the savory side of popcorn, the sultry side, the 50 Shades of Grey side of popcorn. Or is 50 Shades of Grey already a “so 2012” reference that I’ve shown my true behind-the-times colors?
Now, I’m assuming you’ve munched on popcorn: Caramel corn, movie-like-butter-flavor and maybe even chocolate. And you’ve savored bacon. Unless you’re vegan/vegetarian. And who doesn’t love the stinky cheese popcorn that’s delivered by corporate salesmen at the holidays to keep the entire staff satiated and happy? The kind that stains your popcorn-dipping fingers orange but you just can’t seem to say, “No thanks,” to.
But have you ever had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of truffle salt?
I hadn’t experienced truffle salt before attending a cooking demonstration at our local Viking Cooking School a few years ago. In fact, I can’t even remember what the dish was that I tasted it upon, but I absolutely remember having my socks knocked off when I did.
Just a little dip of my pinkie into the salt, swiftly transported to my tongue and I was jettisoned back to 4th grade and the first time I tried Pop Rocks. Flavor explosions going off all over the place in my mouth.
Now, those exploding bursts were what it was like just eating the salt straight from the jar. But when sprinkled on noodles, mixed into butter, on dusted on STEAK—be still my heart—this accent is just about the only accompaniment you need to impart some serious flavor.
Needless to say, I had to make truffle salt a part of my pantry. The salt is spendy for sure, but because it’s so concentrated in flavor, and used in such small amounts, I’ve found to be well worth the investment.
With movie awards season at our feet, Superbowl parties that will soon be in full swing and not to mention the luxury of winter’s lazy, cozy-up on snowy weekends, savory flavored popcorn, especially when kicked up to the stars in flavor, is begging to be had.
You can serve in a big bowl for quick, dipping hands, or make individual portions in these parchment tulip cups.
Get out the dental floss people, it’s popcorn time.
Truffled Bacon Popcorn
PrintIngredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 stick butter , (8 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon truffle salt
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pour popcorn into a large bowl and set aside.
- Arrange bacon side by side on a plate lined with parchment paper. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper or microwave-safe cover and cook on high for 4-6 minutes. Rotate the plate half way through cooking so bacon cooks evenly. Place bacon on a paper towel lined plate to drain, then crumble or slice into small pieces and add to popcorn.
- Add butter to a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 30 seconds. Rotate and heat for another 15-30 seconds, watching to be sure it doesn’t boil over.
- Pour butter over popcorn then sprinkle with truffle salt. Mix to combine. Then add parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.
I do love the sweet side of popcorn, but adding ingredients that are more savory and even a little spicy is a great alternative to the norm, and a surprise taste treat for guests. Here are a few foodies who are on the same flavor train.
Liren pays heed to health concerns about microwaved popcorn and has taken her popcorn to the stove to put an Asian spin on Kitchen Confidante’s Sweet and Spicy Wasabi Popcorn.
An ode to memories of dad, Lisa pulls out the cast iron skillet to create Authentic Suburban Gourmet’s Garlic, Thyme and Parmesan Popcorn.
Olga skips the microwave too and goes old school popping with a savory, earthy twist in Mango & Tomato’s Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper & Parmesan Popcorn.
Oh no, here I go again with my obsession of Mexican infusion, but Lisa’s flavor bursts are too tempting not to share! Check it: With Style and Grace’s zesty Chili Lime Popcorn—with or without tequila…your choice.
Shanon kicks up the heat thanks to a dose of Sriracha then brings it on down a notch or two with cool Ranch flavor in The Curvy Carrot’s Sriracha Ranch Popcorn.
Just like my favorite classic chicken wings, er chicken legs, recipe, Cassie has made sure Bake Your Day’s recipe for Buffalo Parmesan Popcorn is a 5 napkin treat.
For an additional list of seasoned popcorn recipes, visit the gals at the Food Matters project for link-up love and plenty of food blogger’s amazing popcorn recipes and link up your own favorite recipe too.
Thanks for reading and please keep in touch. Subscribe to Foodie Crush and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and check out Foodie Crush magazine.
lina velez
oh my god that looks delicious, i have never tasted popcorn with bacon how did you come up with that idea ?
Margy
I would love to make some for gifts. Can this be made and put in tins for gifting, or does it need to be made and eaten at once?
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Great web site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days.
I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Cookie and Kate
Truffle bacon popcorn?! Why oh why didn’t we eat this when I was in town? Looks marvelously indulgent.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
Oh my – it is hitting midnight here in LA and all I want to do is have a big bowl of this!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
So many delicious-looking recipes! I love popcorn and hardly waver from butter, salt, and a little parmesan. I must try something new next time!
Kevin (Closet Cooking)
You had me at bacon! Great idea!
Lisa (AuthenticSuburbanGourmet)
Great round up! Thank you for including me in your post! Now I have new recipes to try – i adore popcorn! Cheers!!
Donna
Dang you. This looks good enough to ditch my resolutions!
Rachael (Fuji Mama)
I seriously think your blog should require signing a legally binding waiver before reading it…I about had a heart attack reading this post…swoon!!! Get in my belly!
Sandy @ RE
Love truffle salt on popcorn. Great recipes here, girl. Love popcorn in the winter months!
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker}
Truffle salt is my biggest vice and I love it the most on popcorn!! Absolutely love this – can’t wait to try it!!
Emily
You’ve just sold me on savory popcorn. And truffle salt.
Brianna K.
Does anyone know how much truffle salt costs? Where can I get my hands on it? I live in Gainesville, Florida, so I really only have Publix, but I’m thinking Trader Joe’s might have some.
Mary Wood
I buy my truffle salt at Williams Sonoma. It’s available onine, but I like to buy it in person to be sure I get a jar that isn’t going to expire too soon, and to make sure I get a jar with the most possible pieces of truffle.
Kari@Loaves n Dishes
I just happen to have all the ingredients for Truffle Bacon Popcorn! I’m so excited!!!!!!!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
Truffle salt is heavenly, well anything truffles is heavenly in my book.
Nina
Looks fabulous…i wud love to grab some right away:)
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
Truffle Bacon Popcorn. Yes. Please! I have to get me some truffle salt! My husband and I love popcorn as a snack. He usually cannot wait until I make a fancy popcorn recipe. So, I make one batch for him and them make a fancy one for us both to share after he inhales the first batch!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
I <3 popcorn! It's literally my go to snack and I even asked for an air popper for Christmas {yes I'm a dork} so I could stop standing over the stove shaking my huge pot… Heidi all of these look amazing but your truffle bacon popcorn sounds INSANE!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
My Hubby and I love popcorn for our movie nights. Love this post – full of amazing ideas! The truffle salt has me totally intrigued!
Jess @ OnSugarMountain
omg. why would you do this to meeee. Being a college student, I can only admire from afar truffle salt bacon popcorn >_<. Argh. Trust me, I'd splurge if I could, but something about "oh hey mom yeah college is good I'm broke as usual but omg I just bought this awesome truffle salt" sounds like it will not go over well lol.
One day though :D One day…
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
I’ve always preferred savory popcorn to sweet. My favorite one is the way us Mexicans eat it with lime, salt and hot sauce. These 6 are going on my list to try. Thanks Heidi!
Cookin' Canuck
So much goodness all in one post! And I, admittedly, am that treat-obsessed dog that you mentioned. I can’t resist the scent (or taste) of popcorn, bacon and chocolate chip cookies. I’ll need to try some of these recipes to spice up my popcorn snacking.
Jenna
I don’t even like popcorn but I’m dying for a big bowl of this. Looks fabulous!
Cassie | Bake Your Day
Totally dying over this. Truffle is a complete crutch of mine. Drooling at 8:51am. Love it! And thanks for linking up!
Kathryn
I really need to jump on this popcorn train and sharpish…
kelley
Dude……I’m sold. I’m slightly addicted to popcorn right now and this version is singing to the Gods right now. Or singing to me. Or is it God singing to me telling me to make it? Either way, it’s happening soon.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I eat popcorn almost every day! I love it! Nothing else will do for me…and I am loving the links you gave. Some of them I remember seeing 6 mos or so ago but thanks for the refresher!
Miss McBooty
So much popcorn! Popcorn is definitely my favorite snack. I love all sorts of flavors, but the classic butter and salt is still my favorite. I may have to pick up some truffle salt though!