Turn your football party up a notch with a customizable popcorn bar that’s takes less than 30 MINUTES! I went with Orville Redenbacher's microwaveabe popcorn and their popcorn seasonings to keep things simple for your game day snack bar.
I love food bars and it seems like many people agree! (My pasta bar and nacho bar both went viral on Instagram!) I think it's about the fun of entertaining and allowing your guests to get involved that makes it so special.
And since everyone (including kids) love popcorn, a popcorn bar was naturally on my to-make list! 🙂
I love how this popcorn bar can be set out in advance and left out all game while your guests pick and nibble between plays.
Popcorn Options:
- Air-Popped Popcorn: For a healthier option, go for air-popped popcorn. It’s lighter and just as tasty.
- Stovetop Popcorn: If you want to go old-school, stovetop popcorn made with a little oil brings that nostalgic, buttery flavor.
- Pre-Popped Bags: If you’re pressed for time, pre-popped popcorn in flavors like kettle corn or sea salt is an easy grab.
How To Display Your Popcorn
Front and center in a LARGE container!
So I popped 7 BAGS of popcorn to fill this galvanized steel container. You can use any container you have from a basket to a bucket. Just make sure it's LARGE and the focus of your popcorn bar.
If you watch the reel below, you'll see how I angled the container to create a more aesthetic look.
Seasoning Ideas:
I used Orville Redenbacher's popcorn seasonings, but here are more fun options to mix things up:
- Spicy: Chili powder, taco seasoning, or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Cheesy: Grated Parmesan, powdered cheddar, or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free twist.
- Herby: Dried rosemary, dill, or Italian seasoning mixed with a little garlic powder.
- Savory & Sweet: A mix of cinnamon sugar, or brown sugar with a pinch of sea salt.
Football Decor
I used a green astroturf runner over a tablecloth to set the theme for football. Then added some cute football decor like the brown bags, field goals and large chalkboard sign.
*I added links below for all the items I used!
If you're looking for more game day/football decor ideas, check out my Football Party Ideas post!
✨ Toppings:
- Savory Toppings:
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, parmesan, or pepper jack)
- Crushed pretzels
- Crispy fried onions
- Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Sweet Toppings (Optional):
- Mini chocolate chips
- Caramel drizzle
- Crushed Oreos
- M&M's
- Crushed Reeses
- Sprinkles for a fun twist
✨ Substitution Ideas:
- Swap butter with coconut oil or truffle oil for a unique flavor.
- Use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a vegan-friendly, cheesy flavor.
- Salt-free seasonings for a low-sodium option.
Popcorn Bar Items
✨ Pro Tip: Offer a mix of small scoops or shakers for your toppings and seasonings, so guests can build their perfect bowl!
Popular Game Day Food
Football Themed Popcorn Bar
Equipment
- 4-6 bags of popcorn
Materials
- 4-6 bags microwave popcorn *see note
- popcorn seasonings
- butter optional
Instructions
- Pop bags of popcorn and add to a large tub, bucket or container.
- Place in the center of a table over top of some astroturf.
- Add a large chalkboard sign in the center of the table. Feel free to decorate it however you wish.
- Add football props like mini footballs, field goals, and whistles to your table.
- Place seasonings on table. I prefer to place them on risers. You can buy dry seasonings like ranch, parmesan or even cinnamon sugar instead.
- Serve popcorn with scooper and add bags for guests to fill!
Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!