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CHAI CHOCOLATE POPCORN (STOVETOP)

Chai Chocolate Popcorn is a quick and easy stovetop popcorn recipe with cocoa powder, warming chai spice blend, and touch of sweetness makes for a delicious popcorn snack to enjoy anytime of day!

top down view of bowl with chocolate chai popcorn with items surrounding.

I love popcorn, from simple to unusual flavors, it’s easy to make and fills that snack void perfectly. Given the chance, I can easily sit and finish off a whole bowl all by myself!

I’ve been experimenting with different popcorn toppings lately just for fun. You may already be familiar with this, Green Matcha Popcorn, which is a green tea and sugar mix. Green tea is good for you so why not put in on popcorn too!

This chai chocolate popcorn seasoning came about on a whim and ended up being a great combination. Hints of cacao and warming chai spice flavors, with a touch of sweetness makes for another delicious popcorn topping!

I hope you enjoy this super easy version of gourmet chai chocolate popcorn!

top down view of ingredients used to make chocolate chai stovetop popcorn.

Ingredients You’ll Need

In this recipe, popcorn is popped on the stovetop and mixed with chocolate and chai flavors for a delicious, gourmet style popcorn made right at home!

Here is everything you will need, including ingredient variations:

  • coconut oil – can also sub with light tasting olive oil or vegan butter
  • popcorn – preferably organic
  • coconut sugar – sub with pure cane, date, or brown sugars
  • cocoa powder – can also use cacao powder
  • cinnamon
  • cardamom
  • ginger
  • clove or nutmeg

Gather your ingredients and let’s get popping!

side by side photos showing the process of making stovetop popcorn.

How To Make Stovetop Chocolate Popcorn

(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)

  • Spices: In a small bowl, mix your spices. Feel free to use heaping measurements.
  • Heat oil: In a large stock pot, add coconut oil, cover and heat over medium high heat for about 2 1/2 minutes.
  • Add popcorn: Pour popcorn into pot and cover with lid, let cook for 2 – 3 minutes, carefully shaking the pot back and forth almost continuously. Popcorn will be done when you don’t hear kernels popping for 5 – 10 seconds.

side by side photos showing the process of making chocolate popcorn on the stovetop.

  • Add spice: Once popping comes to a minimum, lift lid, add spices, cover tightly, carefully lift pot and tilt, round and round, upside down, every which way you can while twirling your hips and doing the happy popcorn dance. It’s the best way to really get that popcorn coated and ready!
  • Serve: Enjoy right from the pot or pour popcorn in a large bowl or small individual bowls.

top down view of pot with freshly made chocolate chai stovetop popcorn.

Top Tips

  • My preferred method of making popcorn is the stovetop method where it’s popped in a large pot or stock pot. Using a popcorn machine will do too and is great for those who prefer the ease of using one.
  • Keep in mind that you can make the stovetop method without any oil, or a tad less than the recipe calls for, but the seasoning won’t stick as well. Speaking of oils and nutrition, one cup of air popped popcorn contains only 30 calories per cup. Our 3 tablespoons of coconut oil contains around 350 calories and the spices add very minimal calories, not enough to factor in. Altogether, this recipe contains approx. 500 calories for about 12 cups of popcorn. Not too bad if you like to share!
  • If you don’t have all the spices, you can still make a flavorful topping using just a few. Try simply using sugar, cocoa and cinnamon.
  • If you happen to have the Tazo Chai Tea bags on hand, they will work too. Cut open 3 tea bags, combine with sugar and cocoa. Add once popcorn is ready.

How To Store Popped Popcorn

  • Counter or pantry: Popped chocolate popcorn can be stored in sealed containers or ziplock bags for 1 – 2 weeks. To store, be sure it’s sealed well without moisture or much air to keep it from going stale too soon.
  • Refrigerator: You can store popped popcorn in the refrigerator for up to 2 – 3 weeks, just be sure to remove as much air and moisture before sealing.
  • Freezer: Popped popcorn is freezer safe and will last 2 – 3 months if stored properly. To freeze, remove as much air and keeping moisture out of the container or baggie before sealing.
  • Snack bags to-go: This popcorn recipe is also great for prepping grab-n-go snack bags. Store in small ziploc baggies for a quick treat to-go. Store the popcorn as mentioned above.

side angle view of small bowl with serving of chocolate chai stovetop popcorn.

More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love

If you try this easy chocolate popcorn recipe or have a question, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

CHAI CHOCOLATE POPCORN (STOVETOP)

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Chai Chocolate Popcorn made on the stovetop with hints of cocoa and warming chai spice, blended with a touch of sweetness makes for a delicious popcorn topping!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 5 min
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Makes 12, 1 cup servings 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup popcorn (pref. organic)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (coconut sugar or organic cane sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon clove or nutmeg
  • pinch of mineral salt + pepper, optional

Instructions

Spices: In a small bowl, mix your spices. Feel free to use heaping measurements.

Heat oil: In a large stock pot, add coconut oil, cover and heat over medium high heat for about 2 1/2 minutes.

Add popcorn: Pour popcorn into pot and cover with lid, let cook for 2 – 3 minutes, carefully shaking the pot back and forth almost continuously. Popcorn will be done when you don’t hear kernels popping for 5 – 10 seconds.

Add spice: Once popping comes to a minimum, lift lid, add spices, cover tightly, carefully lift pot and tilt, round and round, upside down, every which way you can.

Serve: Enjoy right from the pot or pour popcorn in a large bowl or small individual bowls.

Makes about 12 to 14 cups

Store: Leftovers can be stored in containers or ziplock baggies for 1 – 2 weeks. Be sure to remove as much as possible, and keep moisture away, to keep it from going stale too soon.

Notes

If you don’t have all the spices, you can still make a flavorful topping using just a few…try simply using sugar, cocoa and cinnamon.

If you happen to have the Tazo Chai Tea bags on hand, they will work too. Cut open 3 tea bags, combine with sugar and cocoa. Add once popcorn is ready.

I went for sweetness on this recipe, feel free to omit the sugar or lessen it. If you omit the sugar, you may opt to add 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper for a more authentic chai spice.

Popcorn maker: Add popcorn, cook as directed and move to a large bowl. In a small bowl, melt coconut oil. Once popcorn is done, drizzle with oil and top with seasoning, toss to coat well.

Updated: Chai Chocolate Stovetop Popcorn was originally published in May 2014. It has been retested and updated with new photos and helpful tips in July 2020.

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12 Comments

  1. Sarah @ Snixy Kitchen says:

    Way to take my favorite tea and my favorite snack and make them best friends! I've made cinnamon toast popcorn before, but never chai popcorn! Mind blown.

    1. julie@thesimpleveganista says:

      It's so good too! I just used the Tazo chai tea bags today without the cocoa because I ran out and it was awesome. I used three tea bags which was just the right amount of flavor. You're gonna love it!

  2. Annie@Annie'sCityKitchen says:

    Holy moly this is an amazing idea. I never think to jazz up popcorn.

    1. julie@thesimpleveganista says:

      Thank you! I love jazzing up my popcorn and have a few other ideas in the works. I'm now obsessed. LOL :)

  3. Bailey Na Ranong says:

    This looks so good and yummy! Great recipe and pictures.
    I need to try this soon (:

    1. julie@thesimpleveganista says:

      Thank you! You should try this soon, you will love it! :)

  4. What an interesting combination of flavors! I love your presentation for these photographs, it's just so simple and elegant. I can almost smell the spices through the screen. :)

    1. julie@thesimpleveganista says:

      Thank you June, that is a lovely compliment! :)

  5. Anne Shalamoff says:

    I added in some salt too! It's really yummy. I got really into the popcorn dance. =)

    1. julie@thesimpleveganista says:

      A little salt is geat, it'll bring out the flavors a tad more…I think I'll add that to the recipe. Thanks!

      Too cute, I love doing the popcorn dance! :)

  6. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says:

    I totally need to start putting cacao powder on my air-popped popcorn! Thanks for the awesome idea :)

    1. julie@thesimpleveganista says:

      Welcome! :)

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