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    Home » Recipes » RECIPES

    Sam TurnbullAuthor: Sam Turnbull Updated: January 13, 2025

    Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn

    5 from 7 votes
    | 19 Comments
    Save Saved! Pin Comments ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Secret confession: I eat popcorn at least 4 times a week.

    It's hands down my most favourite munchy snack of them all. Crispy, crunchy, salty or sweet, and it's actually a whole food so it ain't even that bad for you... until you douse it in melted vegan butter... which I most definitely do, but I'm not aiming for perfection here.

    I have shared with you my 10 Minute Peanut Butter Popcorn which I make when I'm in the mood for peanut butter sweetness (99% of the time). But today I have a new discovery to share with you. This one is almost elegant. (Can popcorn be elegant)? Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn!

    Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn! A super easy upgrade to the snack you already love. Movie night just got even better! Dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free. #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    See? So elegant looking - with that branch of rosemary in there - all class, my friends.

    I made this on a whim when my book club was arriving in a matter of minutes and my table was completely lacking in snacks (unacceptable when your job is to make food). You know how the saying goes: "when in doubt make popcorn!"

    Ok no, that isn't really a saying but it totally passed with my bookclubers. My friends came in the door just as I was tossing this together, and I immediately heard "why does it smell so incredibly delicious in here!?" Win for the popcorn lovers. Two ginormous bowls were devoured immediately and paired quite nicely with wine. Fresh, fragrant, zesty, bursting with flavourful personality. I loved this popcorn so much, it has been my go-to ever since.

    Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn! A super easy upgrade to the snack you already love. Movie night just got even better! Dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free. #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    To make rosemary & lemon zest popcorn: I just toss popcorn kernels into my hot air popper (obsessed) and melt some vegan butter in the top little compartment. If you don't have an air popper you can totally make popcorn on the stovetop or in the microwave. Once popped, simply drizzle the melted vegan butter over the popcorn, sprinkle with the rosemary, lemon zest, and salt, give a little toss. Munch away, dear friends, munch away.

    Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn! A super easy upgrade to the snack you already love. Movie night just got even better! Dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free. #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    5 from 7 votes
    (click stars to vote)

    Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn

     A super easy upgrade to the snack you already love.
    Prep: 5 minutes mins
    Cook: 10 minutes mins
    Total: 15 minutes mins
    Servings: 2
    PRINT PIN Save Saved! COMMENT

    Ingredients
     

    • ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
    • 2 tablespoons vegan butter,, melted
    • 1 tablespoon rosemary,, finely chopped
    • 1 Lemon,, zested (about 1 teaspoon)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt, (or to taste)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions
     

    • Pop the popcorn in an air popper, or pop with whatever method you normally use (stovetop or in the microwave works fine too).
    • When the popcorn is popped, simply drizzle over the melted vegan butter, then sprinkle with the rosemary, lemon zest, and salt. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 28.6mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1.2mg

    ⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?

    I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕
    Author: Sam Turnbull
    Cuisine: American, Canadian, Italian
    Course: Snack

    Bon Appetegan!

    Sam.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Roseanna says

      January 20, 2025 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      Love the zedty effect from this recipe.

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says

        January 26, 2025 at 11:21 am

        So happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. lea says

      May 28, 2021 at 1:23 pm

      I made your Pizza Popcorn from your new cookbook this week... I'm afraid I am addicted... However...if I keep going the way I am...my sun-dried tomatoes won't be packed in oil anymore and they'll just simply be dried up, sun-dried tomatoes... So in order for that not to happen ...I need to find something to fill in the gap..... I will give this recipe a shot..... But major kudos for the Pizza Popcorn....just may replace Doritos altogether!

      Reply
    3. Julie says

      June 09, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      Rosemary is my secret ingredient to delicious homemade granola.

      Reply
    4. Karen says

      March 05, 2018 at 11:58 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Sam! I have to say this looks fantastic. The only thing I will change is the vegan butter...I’ve used olive oil for years after I realized I have to melt the vegan butter anyway...it is sooooo good. And it will taste amazing with your recipe. Who’da think it? Sam would that’s who!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 06, 2018 at 10:03 am

        Haha you're too cute! So happy you enjoed it, Karen 🙂

        Reply
    5. Mikaela Barnes says

      March 23, 2017 at 9:23 pm

      I've been obsessed with popcorn lately!! This is looks amazing!! Must try You can check out my blog for plant based recipes @ http://www.thenondairyfairy.com

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 24, 2017 at 9:14 am

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    6. Mary says

      March 23, 2017 at 7:23 am

      5 stars
      I ate this twice last weekend -- so tasty! I make my popcorn in the microwave by throwing the kernels (no oil) into a brown paper lunch bag and folding the top down a couple times. Sometimes I seal the top of the bag with masking tape first to help minimize escaped kernels. Nuke it for 2 to 3 minutes and voila! You may have to pick a few kernels out of the microwave but the cost savings compared to commercial microwave popcorn is well worth it. After it's done popping, you can rip a little hole in the bottom of the bag and shake out the unpopped kernels. Pour it into a bowl to add the toppings.

      I think your sodium listing is low though. The salt alone for each serving would have 290mg of sodium.

      Thanks for another great recipe. I'm trying to hold off until the weekend to make it again 🙂

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 23, 2017 at 9:36 am

        Woohoo! So happy you enjoyed it. Great tips for those who have a microwave!
        I popped the ingredients into my nutrition calculator again, and it came back with the exact same results. So not sure how to fix it for you! Glad you enjoyed the popcorn 🙂

        Reply
      • Lea says

        May 28, 2021 at 1:12 pm

        A few days ago, I went the paper bag route and when I opened the microwave after 3 mins....it was full of smoke!...Not sure why as I've done it before with more time...... So I used a pyrex bowl the next time......But if I ever use a bag again, cutting a hole in the bottom of the bag for unpopped kernels is such a great idea!

        Reply
    7. Rebecca says

      March 14, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      5 stars
      Simply divine! I love the smell of the rosemary. I never would have thought to pair lemon zest with rosemary as a popcorn topping. This recipe hits all the right notes: tasty, aromatic, a beautiful presentation and so simple to make!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 15, 2017 at 9:11 am

        Yay! So happy you loved it, Rebecca! 😀

        Reply
    8. George says

      March 11, 2017 at 4:58 am

      5 stars
      Can't wait to prepare it... Left to find a good movie 🙂

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 11, 2017 at 10:52 am

        Haha! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    9. Kathy says

      March 02, 2017 at 9:15 am

      YUM! I got an air popper for Christmas (because of you!), and once I got off my lazy butt and ordered some organic popcorn kernels from Amazon — LOL — I have been eating popcorn ever since! It's just so darn easy to make. I have been eating chili lime but you can bet next time like probably tonight, I'll be trying this rosemary lemon. It does indeed look elegant. Popcorn is my new favorite snack! We always have a snack at happy hour and popcorn is the new answer to a healthy one. It also makes me eat less dinner which is a good thing! Thanks Sam.

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 04, 2017 at 10:55 am

        Three cheers for popcorn!! So happy you love it as much as I do. I swear I could live off of the stuff. Haha!

        Reply
    10. Lee | LifeNaturalee says

      March 01, 2017 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      Elegant is indeed a fantastic word to describe these 😀 So pretty! And I'm sure they are tasting as heck!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 04, 2017 at 10:46 am

        Haha! Thank you. Yes it's pretty darn scrumptious!

        Reply
    5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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