Hello there! Kiran Lee here, and today I want to share with you my latest snack obsession: Irresistible Hoisin Glazed Popcorn. Trust me, this popcorn is the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with a unique Asian twist that will leave you wanting more. The best part? It’s easy to make and perfect for movie nights, game nights, or any other occasion that calls for munchies. So let’s get popping!
Kiran Lee is a freelance artist and storyteller from Seoul, South Korea. She is passionate about creating visual narratives that blend the modern and the traditional and enjoys experimenting with various mediums, from digital art to traditional Korean ink painting. In her free time, she loves to explore new recipes and to take long hikes in the mountains.
Kiran Lee currently resides in the United States and grew up in South Korea.
As someone from South Korea, I grew up eating a lot of Asian snacks and street foods. Hoisin sauce is a staple ingredient in many of these dishes, so when I stumbled upon this recipe, I knew I had to give it a try. The result? A snack that is both familiar and novel at the same time, providing just the right amount of nostalgia and excitement. Plus, as a freelance artist, I’m often working long hours, and this popcorn is the perfect snack to keep me going when deadlines loom.
Did you know that hoisin sauce actually originated in southern China, where it was used to flavor meat dishes? Its name roughly translates to ‘seafood sauce,’ but it’s actually made from a blend of soybeans, vinegar, garlic, chili peppers, and sometimes even caramel for sweetness. Over time, the sauce spread throughout Asia and became a staple ingredient in many cuisines, including Vietnamese, Thai, and of course, Chinese. And now, with this recipe, you can enjoy the unique and delicious flavor of hoisin sauce in snack form. Pretty cool, right?
What you need
Looking for an irresistible snack that’s both sweet and savory? Look no further than this Hoisin Glazed Popcorn recipe! Made from just a handful of simple ingredients, this snack packs a punch of flavor that will have you hooked from the first bite. One of my favorite things about this recipe is the use of hoisin sauce, a rich and savory ingredient that adds an Asian twist to this classic snack. Popping the popcorn is easy, and making the hoisin glaze is a breeze – just whisk together the ingredients and toss with the freshly popped popcorn. To finish, sprinkle black sesame seeds for added crunch. The result? A perfect snack that’s perfect for movie night or any time you’re craving something a little bit different. Best of all, this recipe is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free, making it a snack that everyone can enjoy. So go ahead, make a big batch of this Hoisin Glazed Popcorn and enjoy all the sweet and savory goodness!
Ingredients:
- popcorn kernels – The star of this recipe, popcorn kernels create the base for this sweet and savory snack. If you don’t have popcorn kernels, you can use plain white popcorn from the grocery store.
- vegetable oil – Vegetable oil is used to pop the popcorn. You can use any neutral-flavored oil that has a high smoke point, such as canola oil or grapeseed oil.
- hoisin sauce – This savory and sweet sauce is the star of the glaze for the popcorn. It adds a unique Asian twist that sets this recipe apart. If you don’t have hoisin sauce, you can use a mixture of soy sauce and honey.
- butter – Butter adds richness and a subtle saltiness to the glaze for this popcorn. If you are vegan or dairy-free, you can use vegan butter or coconut oil.
- brown sugar – Brown sugar helps to balance the flavors in the glaze and adds a hint of caramel sweetness. You can use white granulated sugar instead, but the flavor of the glaze will be slightly different.
- soy sauce – Soy sauce adds depth of flavor and saltiness to the glaze for this popcorn. If you are gluten-free, be sure to use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- garlic powder – Garlic powder adds a savory flavor to the glaze for the popcorn. If you don’t have garlic powder, you can use 1 clove of minced fresh garlic instead.
- black sesame seeds – Black sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and a nice crunchy texture to this snack. If you don’t have black sesame seeds, you can use white sesame seeds instead.
Utensils:
- Large pot with lid – Required for popping the popcorn. A heavy-bottomed pot is preferred to prevent burning.
- Measuring cups and spoons – Needed to measure the ingredients accurately.
- Whisk – Used to mix the glaze ingredients together.
- Large bowl – Used to toss the popcorn with the glaze.
- Baking sheet – Optional. Used to spread the popcorn out and let it cool before serving.
Hoisin Sauce
I absolutely love hoisin sauce and it’s one of my favorite ingredients to use in Asian-inspired cooking. Made from soybeans, sugar, vinegar, and spices, hoisin sauce has a unique and complex flavor that I find irresistibly sweet, salty, and savory. In this recipe, hoisin sauce is used to create a sticky glaze for popcorn, which is a fun and unexpected way to enjoy it. While hoisin sauce isn’t exactly a health food, a little bit goes a long way in terms of adding flavor to dishes. I always keep a bottle in my fridge to use as a marinade and dipping sauce for everything from tofu to vegetables to meats. If you haven’t tried hoisin sauce before, I highly recommend giving it a try!
Black Sesame Seeds
Black sesame seeds are often overlooked in Western cuisine, but they are a staple in Asian cooking and are used in both sweet and savory dishes. I love black sesame seeds for their nutty flavor and their striking appearance – they add a beautiful contrast to any dish they are used in. In this popcorn recipe, black sesame seeds are used to add a crunchy texture and a unique flavor that complements the hoisin glaze perfectly. Sesame seeds are also a great source of calcium, which is important for bone health. If you can’t find black sesame seeds, you can use white sesame seeds instead, although they won’t have the same striking appearance. I love keeping black sesame seeds on hand to use in salads, stir-fries, and as a garnish for smoothie bowls. Give them a try and see how they can elevate your dishes to the next level!
What to serve it with?
One of my favorite things about Hoisin Glazed Popcorn is how versatile it is. I love enjoying it as a snack on its own, but it’s also delicious when paired with other dishes. For example, I often serve it as an appetizer at dinner parties, where it complements savory dishes like sushi rolls, spring rolls, or dumplings. It’s the perfect snack to get your guests’ appetites going and to set the tone for a night of delicious food. Plus, as an artist who loves incorporating visual elements into everything I do, I love how the deep brown color of the hoisin glaze and the black sesame seeds serve as a beautiful contrast against the bright colors of other dishes. So whether you enjoy it as a standalone snack or as an appetizer, I promise this Hoisin Glazed Popcorn will become a staple in your snack rotation.
Summary
And that’s a wrap, folks! I hope you enjoyed reading about my latest snacking obsession and that you’ll give this Hoisin Glazed Popcorn recipe a try. Whether you’re a fan of sweet and savory combos or just looking to expand your snack horizons, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe and what you think of it. Do you have any favorite snack combos that I should know about? I would love to hear your thoughts! And if you’re interested in more creative recipes that fuse traditional and modern flavors, be sure to stay tuned – I have plenty more to share. Thanks for reading!
Here’s the recipe:
Irresistible Hoisin Glazed Popcorn: A Sweet and Savory Snack Sensation
Equipment
- Large pot with lid
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Large bowl
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the popcorn - Add the popcorn kernels and vegetable oil to a large pot with a lid. Set the heat to medium and let the kernels pop, shaking the pot occasionally, for 3-5 minutes or until the popping sound slows down. Remove from heat and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. - Be careful when shaking the pot - the lid may be hot and the popcorn may start popping rapidly, which can be dangerous. Also, make sure to remove any unpopped kernels from the bowl of popped popcorn to prevent accidental tooth damage.
- Prepare the hoisin sauce - In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until smooth. - Use a small saucepan to melt butter if needed, and let it cool to room temperature before adding it to the other ingredients, to prevent the sugar from caramelizing too quickly.
- Coat the popcorn with the hoisin glaze - Pour the hoisin glaze over the popcorn and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle the black sesame seeds over the popcorn and toss again to distribute. - Don't pour all the hoisin glaze at once, start with half and go adding more until the popcorn is coated to your preference. The sesame seeds can be toasted at low heat in a dry frying pan before sprinkling over popcorn to enhance their flavor.
- Spread the popcorn out to cool - Spread the popcorn out in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy! - Serve the hoisin glazed popcorn in bowls and dig in. Enjoy as a sweet and savory snack that will satisfy all your cravings. - This popcorn is best the day it's made, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If the popcorn gets stale, you can heat it up in the oven for a few minutes to crisp it up again.
