How to Make Super Spicy Low Fat Popcorn with Variations

Looking for the perfect snack? Something low fat, low calorie, crunchy, cheap, super easy and best of all, super spicy? Check out this recipe for Super Spicy Low Fat Popcorn. Sure to make your mouth water and burn ... without burning a hole in your wallet (or diet!)

You'll Need:

Hot air popcorn popper
No (or Low) Fat butter flavored cooking spray
Popcorn kernels
Large bowl
Salt
Cayenne pepper

Set up your hot air popper over a large bowl. Be sure that you have chosen a bowl that will allow for plenty of room to shuffle and turn your popcorn after it's popped. Add your popcorn kernels to the hot air popper and turn it on.

While the kernels are heating up, and then popping, get your other ingredients together. It's important that you have them all handy immediately after your popcorn is finished and still piping hot.

After your hot air popper has expelled all of the popped kernels into the bowl, very quickly apply a few quick mists of the no/low fat butter flavored cooking spray. Quickly sprinkle your salt to taste, and then, sprinkle some of the cayenne pepper. Remember: cayenne is the strongest of the capsicum family and packs a serious punch! Judge your seasoning amount by taste and not by how "coated" each popcorn kernel looks. Even a tiny (barely noticeable) speck of cayenne will be hot. Be sparing until you're familiar with the intensity of the spice.

(Warning: Also be mindful not to touch your eyes while making or eating this snack as the cayenne can seriously burn your eyes, and is difficult to rinse out.)

Give the bowl a good firm shake, then, use your fingers to gently pull the popcorn from the bottom of the bowl up to the top. Give the popcorn another fine mist with the cooking spray, then add a little more salt and cayenne. Shake gently once more and enjoy!

The extra seasoning will not effect the longevity of your popcorn-- if you have leftovers, store it in an airtight bag or container and enjoy it later. Popcorn, properly stored, can be as good as first popped for a week or more.

Variations: After you've tried this basic recipe, add some variety when it suits you. Try sprinkling in whole grain, low sugar cereals to keep it low calorie and low fat. Shreddies work nicely, as do Cheerios. Whole grain Cheerios have a mild sweet flavor that works well and adds a different personality to the dish.

This recipe works very well with microwave popcorn. Check the bag/box for calorie/fat counts as they will be different then when using a hot air popper. If you catch the popcorn as soon as it's out of the bag and still steaming, you don't have to use cooking spray, as cayenne and salt will adhere very quickly and easily.

If you aren't watching your waistline, using real butter is truly delectable, but will significantly increase your fat and calorie counts

Experiment and have fun. Bon appetite!

NOTE: One cup of this recipe averages about 30 calories