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 but feel free to make it your own and have fun with the toppings.

Popcorn bar set up woth seasonings and football decor.

I love food bars! 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!

Football season is all about the snacks 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.

✨ 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.

✨ 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.

Popcorn bar with brown paper bags and a chalkboard sign.

✨ Toppings Bar:

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

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✨ 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.

Brown paper bags with white laces drawn.

✨ Pro Tip: Offer a mix of small scoops or shakers for your toppings and seasonings, so guests can build their perfect bowl!

Popcorn bar with popcorn bowl and seasonings.

Popular Game Day Food

Popcorn bar with sign and popcorn on table.

Game Day Popcorn Bar

Make your own popcorn bar at home for the big game! This popcorn bar took me just 30 minutes to set up and cost me less than $20 for the popcorn and seasonings. It's such a fun snack bar to set up for football watching!

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30

Total Time: 30

Calories:

Author: Aleka Shunk

Cost: $20

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Equipment

4-6 bags of popcorn

Ingredients

▢ 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!