Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (2024)


I used to think that making your own popcorn was silly since it was so easy to throw a bag in the microwave…

It wasn’t until I started realizing how bad that popcorn can be for you, did I start looking for recipes to make at home

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably doing the same!

I’ve picked some basic popcorn recipes so you have a good base to start from. Then you can start adding on different toppings

Below first three are the sweets, then the savory:

Stove Top Popcorn

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (1)
Source: Yummy Mummy Kitchen

Looking for that classic stovetop popcorn recipe!? If so, look no further…

Shes keeps the recipe super simple and anyone can whip this up in no time. Plus, she even includes ideas and ingredients for toppings to spice things up with

Stop using the microwave and start popping your own popcorn!

Kettle Corn

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (2)
Source: Two Peas And Their Pods

With all the crazy popcorn recipes I found below, I have to say, kettle corn is still one of my favorites by a long shot

What’s better than popcorn and sugar?!

Similar to the previous stovetop recipe, this one is super simple and should only take about 10 minutes to make

Sweeten up your next movie night with this delicious recipe!

Instant Pot Popcorn

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (3)
Source: Earth Food And Fire

No list of popcorn recipes would be complete without an instant pot recipe, right?

If you’ve seen any of my other posts, you know that I absolutely love my instant pot and love finding new recipes for it

The thing you have to be careful with is that you might burn the popcorn

It could take a little adjusting to get things right but once you do, this is might be the easiest way to make popcorn, ever!

Red Hot Cinnamon

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Source: I Heart Eating

Do you love those little red hots on your Christmas cookies?!

If so, this recipe is going to be your excuse to have them year round. She calls for microwave popcorn but you could easily substitute that out with one of the recipes from above

This recipe does take a bit longer than a standard popcorn recipe since you have to bake it after making the popcorn… but, the end product is a red hot lovers dream

Be careful with this one! ?

Butterfinger Cookies and Cream

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (5)
Source: Inside BruCrew Life

This recipe had me at Butterfinger, then to add cookies and cream on top of that… I was all in!

If you want to REALLY sweeten up your popcorn, this one is for you

It’s actually pretty simple once you have the popcorn made. You can melt the white chocolate and marshmallows over everything then split the batch into two so you can add the different toppings

Netflix watch parties will never be the same after this!

Healthy Caramel Corn

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Source: Lauren’s Latest

Healthy and caramel in the same sentence? Yes, please…

After you have your popcorn made, you lightly boil real maple syrup, coconut oil, and sea salt until it thickens up

Then just pour over your homemade popcorn and you have a delicious snack ready to go in under 45 minutes

Feel like your cheating on your diet without going crazy!

Cake Batter Popcorn

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (7)
Source: Two Sisters Crafting

I’m a lover of anything cake batter so it’s a no brainer with this recipe

Marshmallows, butter and cake butter slowly melted together is the base for this super fun and tasty popcorn. Once you have that mixture made up, you slowly pour that over your popcorn and add sprinkles to your liking

You kids will absolutely devour this snack!

Peanut Butter

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (8)
Source: Butter with a Side of Bread

Peanut butter and popcorn is a match made in heaven!

She calls for M&M’s but I personally think Reeses Pieces would be even better. But that’s coming from a die hard peanut butter lover ?

After you have your popcorn made, this recipe will only take about 20 minutes to whip up

Make your movie night even butter with this tasty popcorn!

Fudge Mint Popcorn

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Source: Inside BruCrew Life

Looking for a super festive St. Patty’s Day dessert or just a fun popcorn recipe?

She makes it look sooooo good that you might shy away from it thinking you couldn’t make something that good looking…

(I know I think that sometimes lol ?)

But with only a handful of ingredients like marshmallows, M&M’s, mint cookies, and white chocolate, you’ll have this delicious popcorn POPPED up in about 15 minutes

Satisfy your sweet tooth on movie night!

Unicorn Popcorn

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Source: Life Love Liz

If you have a little unicorn lover in your house, they are going to love this one

The real “secret” with this recipe is to use cotton candy flavored candy melts to get the full effect. All you have to do is drizzle the candy melts and add a sprinkle to your popcorn then it’s ready to eat!

Your little ones will be over the rainbow after eating this one ?

Cinnamon Roll Caramel Corn

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Source: Creations by Kara

If you know me, you know I love cinnamon rolls and will take an excuse to make them

I love this recipe since it gives me yet another reason to break out the cinnamon and frosting (or white chocolate in this case)

After you prep everything you just need to bake for 30 minutes while stirring thing up even 10

Have breakfast for an after dinner snack!

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt

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Source: Celebrating Sweets

Looking for something more on the simple side of things?

I mean who doesn’t love dark chocolate, especially paired with sea salt. I know I’m a sucker when it comes to those two ?

After making your popcorn, you drizzle the chocolate over everything then toss to completely cover the entire batch

Netflix and chocolate ?

Rainbow Popcorn

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Source: The Decorated Cookie

Want to take the unicorn popcorn even one step further?!

These super fun rainbow recipe is very similar but uses even more colors to give you that rainbow effect. This is the perfect sweet snack for the next movie night

Whether its the kids or you, this batch will be gone in no time!

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

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Source: Your Cup of Cake

One of my favorite party about Christmas time is all the desserts… especially the peppermint bark

With this recipe, you can have the best of both worlds and you won’t have to wait until the Holidays to enjoy that tasty snack again

Plus, if you have leftover candy canes hiding in the cupboards, this is a great way to use them up

Treat yourself with this peppermint bark popcorn!

Parmesan Ranch

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Source: Five Heart Home

First on the savory list is the classic parmesan ranch recipe

If you’re looking to add some flair to your popcorn but don’t want to die from a sugar overload these will be perfect for you

Besides the parmesan cheese (not the bottled kind) and the dried dill, you will probably have all the ingredients needed

Whip up some classy popcorn for your next date night!

Salty Spicy Popcorn

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Source: Give Recipe

Looking to really spice things up with your homemade popcorn game?

This salty and spicy recipe is going to become your go to! Cumin, chili powder, and black pepper make up the topping and blended together, make up a unique end product

Spice up your next Nexflix viewing party!

Buffalo Ranch

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Source: Serena Bakes

Here’s another one for all the spicy lovers out there

With the addition of hot sauced paired with the dill, this really takes the heat up a notch…

Depending on how much you can take lol. For me, it’s not that much so I only add a small touch of hot sauce ?

Pop, lock and drop it with this popcorn HEAT ?

Cuban Seasoned Popcorn

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Source: A Sassy Spoon

Want to add some international flair to your popcorn this next movie night?

This Cuban seasoned recipe is your boarding pass! She uses avocado oil to cook the popcorn and links to her Cuban seasoning powder that is added on top

I love how she keeps it pretty simple but still adding a lot of flavors

Don’t miss your flight for this tasty recipe ✈️

Canadian Cheddar

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Source: Peppers & Pennies

If you’re looking for something without all the spices and craziness, then this cheddar recipe is the one for you

It’s very easy to whip up by just melting butter and grating the cheese. Once your popcorn is ready, add the butter / cheese and mix until the entire batch is coated

Stack that cheddar and enjoy your Nextflix!

The Ultimate Truffle Popcorn

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Source: Fox & Briar

Truffle just sounds classy, doesn’t it? lol

If you really want to go all out with your popcorn this recipe will be at the top of your list

With the combination of truffle oil AND truffle salt, this really earns the Ultimate status

Get classy with this truffle popcorn!

Sour Cream and Onion

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (21)
Source: Kitchen Concoctions

My personal favorite chips are the sour cream and onion flavor… so it’s no wonder, this recipe made the list

The kicker with this one is the powdered buttermilk that she adds in the mix. After you have your popcorn ready, this delicious topping will only take about 10 minutes to whip up

Turn your favorite chips into your favorite popcorn!

Pizza Popcorn

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Source: Tastes of Lizzy T

Pizza AND popcorn, I’m in trouble ?

While this isn’t as quick and easy as some of the others on the list, its completely worth it! With ingredients like parmesan,
mozzarella, and crushed red peppers (just to name a few) its hard to go wrong

Turn pizza and a movie… into pizza, POPCORN, and a movie!

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Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (23)

Best Homemade Popcorn Recipes For Movie Night (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in movie theater popcorn? ›

The secret ingredient in movie theater popcorn is generally a type of flavoring oil or seasoning that is added to the oil before the popcorn is popped. This oil is usually a blend of coconut oil and butter, and may contain other ingredients such as salt, artificial flavors, and preservatives.

What makes the best movie theater popcorn? ›

Some place their kernels in coconut and canola oil before popping them, which gives them a unique taste and helps make them sweet. Other theaters cook their kernels in a mix of oil and real butter, helping to maximize that butter flavor and fine salt taste before the actual popcorn kernels are popped.

How to make popcorn that tastes like movie theater? ›

Instructions
  1. Melt clarified butter or ghee. Melt 1/4 cup clarified butter or ghee in a small saucepan over medium heat. ...
  2. Heat the coconut oil. ...
  3. Add tester kernels. ...
  4. Add the popcorn and pop. ...
  5. Continue to pop and shake the pan. ...
  6. Flavor with butter and salt.

How do you get popcorn to taste like movie theater? ›

Instead, these two key ingredients give movie theater popcorn its signature taste and smell: popcorn popping oil and popcorn seasoning. Yup, it's that simple. Popcorn popping oils come in a few varieties, including pure coconut oil or a blend of canola oil.

What popcorn seasoning do movie theaters use? ›

The type of salt typically used in movie theaters for popcorn can vary depending on the theater's preference and supplier. However, it is common for theaters to use a special type of salt called "flavacol" to enhance the taste of the popcorn.

What is the difference between homemade popcorn and movie theater popcorn? ›

In fact, movie theaters use a combination of ingredients you would probably never have in your pantry to create the addictive flavor of their popcorn. The main ingredient used is called Flavacol (via Extra Kripsy). Flavacol is a fine salt that gives movie theater popcorn its yellow color.

What kind of butter do movie theaters use? ›

Movie theaters use butter-flavored oil, which has a lower water content than butter so it makes popcorn less soggy. Real clarified butter has the same effect. To make it, melt 2 sticks butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave.

How to make popcorn like a pro? ›

Popcorn Pro-tip: Skip the Oil

Pop your popcorn in a dry pan or skillet, no oil. Controversial, I know, but I find that popping popcorn in hot oil increases the likelihood of burnt popcorn and dead kernels.

How to make the fluffiest popcorn? ›

The Internet-approved tip is as follows: Soak popcorn kernels in water for 10 minutes, then drain and pop as normal. The theory is that the extra moisture helps produce fluffier puffs.

How to make homemade popcorn crunchy? ›

Oil also matters in the popping process. The old saying that oil and water don't mix is true - but actually popping popcorn in oil helps in this case. The oil can coat the popped corn and then helps repel the moisture from the kernel, essentially acting as a protective barrier to your crunchy snack.

What popcorn is closest to movie theater popcorn? ›

If you love movie theater popcorn, go for Jolly Time. But for something a little less butter-drenched, try Orville Redenbach's; you won't be disappointed.

What oil does AMC use for popcorn? ›

That ingredient is called Flavacol. Flavacol is a super fine, butter-flavored seasoning salt that movie theaters on their popcorn. They usually pop it using a combination of orange-colored coconut oil and Flavacol seasoning, but regular coconut oil will give you the same results without the fake-looking color.

What popcorn does AMC use? ›

Pop Weaver Popcorn Kernels - Weaver Gold 50-lb Bag - Butterfly Style Popping Corn. This is the brand and type AMC theaters use for their popcorn. It is formulated to pop larger with more crevices to “grab” the seasonings.

What is Flavacol made of? ›

Flavacol is composed, after all, of only four ingredients: “salt, artificial butter flavor, FD&C Yellow #5 Lake (E102) and Yellow #6 Lake (E110)”; the latter two “give popcorn a bright, appealing yellow color for maximum sales."

What do movie theaters put on their popcorn? ›

Meet movie theater popcorn's three main ingredients: Flavacol, butter flavored topping and, wait for it – buttery flavoring. Yum! Flavacol is a seasoned powder that goes on the corn before it's popped.

What can I use instead of Flavacol? ›

Here are some suggestions:
  • Butter or margarine: You can melt butter or margarine and pour it over the popcorn to add flavor and richness.
  • Salt: Salt is a simple and classic seasoning for popcorn that can be added to taste.
  • Cheese powder: You can sprinkle cheese powder on popcorn to add a cheesy flavor.
Mar 22, 2023

How unhealthy is popcorn from the cinema? ›

At about 35 calories per cup, air-popped popcorn is a whole grain and offers 1 gram of fiber per cup. But these benefits can be nearly canceled out. A large tub of movie-theater popcorn can ring in at more than 1,100 calories and contain 1,500 milligrams of sodium and 50 grams of saturated fat.

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