5 flavorful, homemade popcorn recipes

Busy or not, here we come. Every month “A Cut Above” serves up new recipes, cooking tips and ideas for dishes that are simple enough to prepare and enjoy in a snap.

We're partial to popcorn. It's our go-to, late-night snack. What's a movie without the whir of the popper? And besides, few treats are as low in PointsPlus™ values, high in fiber, and taste so good.

Spiced popcorn — with lots of flavor — is our favorite. The best spice mixtures balance two types of flavors such as piquant and sour or sweet and spicy. To give you a wide range of sweet and savory combinations, we're including five great recipes.

Skip the microwave and haul out the trusty air-popper. It makes a delicious treat without any fuss. Let the popper heat up for at least three minutes before adding the kernels. They should hit the heat head on for the lightest, fluffiest result.

Then, to get your favorite flavors to adhere perfectly to your popcorn, we suggest putting the popped kernels in a large bowl and spraying them two or three times with cooking spray, tossing after each spray. Add your spice mixture, toss again, and your popcorn is ready to enjoy.

A note about un-popped kernels:
Popcorn needs moisture to pop (it's actually the superheated water vapor in the kernels that blows them up), and too many un-popped kernels are a sign of dried-out popcorn. For optimal freshness, store popcorn in an air-tight container at room temperature for no longer than six months. Don't store it in the freezer or refrigerator since the chill can dry out the kernels.

If you find too many unpopped kernels, next time consider dropping the kernels in a jar, adding a tablespoon of water, covering and shaking vigorously for a minute or two. Drain off any excess moisture and drop the kernels into a preheated popper. They will have absorbed some of the moisture and should pop much better.

About Southwestern Spiced Popcorn
Here's a great late-night snack or a nice munchie to set on the coffee table before a Southwestern meal.

About Cinnamon-Spice Popcorn
Perfect for a chilly evening, consider serving this treat with warm cider or tea.

About Parmesan-Thyme Popcorn
For the best taste, use real Parmesan cheese, stamped Parmigiano-Reggiano on the rind and available in chunks at most supermarkets; grate it with a microplane or through the small holes of a box grater.

About Greek-Spiced Popcorn
Take an easy trip to the Aegean with this savory popcorn. You might even search out Greek rosé wine, a nice complement and an unusual treat. Look for dried, ground lemon peel in the spice aisle of your market.

About Ranch Popcorn
Here, the spices of Ranch dressing are turned into a dry mixture for popcorn, a boon to anyone who loves this classic taste. Look for dried buttermilk in the baking aisle of most supermarkets or from suppliers online.