Homemade holiday gift idea: Flavored popcorn

Looking for something a little more calorie-conscious? Let’s revisit flavored popcorn. You’ll find that these recipes for chile-flavored popcorn and rosemary-Parmigiano popcorn make for quick, health-conscious gifts and snacks.

RECIPES: 25 homemade holiday gift ideas!

Flavored popcorn is just one way to get crafty this holiday season with homemade gifts from the kitchen. We’ve compiled 25 great ideas, ranging from quick and simple gifts (perfect if you’re working with kids) to more intricate projects that call for a little extra time and patience.

Some gifts will last for weeks, perhaps more. Others are best eaten within a day or two.

Not only are homemade gifts a great way to save money during the holiday season, they’re a thoughtful and creative way to show how much you care.

For additional homemade holiday ideas, check out our updated “Los Angeles Times Holiday Cookies” e-book. The cookbook now includes 65 recipes from a wide range of sources including world-famous pastry chefs, favorite bakeries and home cooks. And check out the favorite holiday recipes we’ve collected in our “Los Angeles Times Holiday Handbook.” The book shares more than 110 seasonal recipes to help you celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s.

Each book is $4.99. They are available at the Los Angeles Times bookstore for Kindle, Nook and iBooks.

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You can find Noelle Carter on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest. Email Noelle at [email protected].

Dried chipotle and garlic powder popcorn

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 12 cups popped corn

Note: This recipe, previously printed in the L.A. Times as “Witch’s Blend,” is adapted from Deane’s book “Low Fat Kitchen.” Use 94% fat-free microwave popcorn to keep fat and calories down. Mesquite-flavor cooking spray can be found at well-stocked supermarkets and select Smart & Final Iris stores.

1 bag 94% fat-free butter-flavor microwave popcorn

1/2 small dried chipotle pepper, broken up

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds

1 tablespoon hot melted butter

1/2 cup roasted salted pepitas

Mesquite-flavor cooking spray

1. Pop corn according to package directions.

2. Combine dried chipotle, chili powder, garlic powder and cumin seeds in electric grinder until ground. While popcorn is still hot, toss with melted butter and ground spices. Stir in pepitas. Spray popcorn with 2 or 3 quick sprays of mesquite cooking spray.

Each cup: 101 calories; 30 mg sodium; 5 mg cholesterol; 3 gram fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 1.45 grams fiber.

Rosemary Parmigiano popcorn

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 12 cups popped corn

Note: This recipe was previously printed in the L.A. Times as “Ghostly Gobbles.”

1 bag 94% fat-free butter-flavor microwave popcorn

3 tablespoons minced rosemary

1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Pop corn according to package directions.

2. Combine hot popped corn with rosemary, cheese and garlic powder. Toss to coat evenly.

Each cup: 46 calories; 50 mg sodium; 2 mg cholesterol; 1 grams fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 1.36 grams fiber.