3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (2024)

In case the below freezing temperatures and blizzard warnings didn’t quite tip you off, winter is upon us. The rain is frozen, the skies are unendingly grey and the most time you want to spend outside is going from dorm to class, class to food, food to dorm. But just because the weather is begging you to stay indoors doesn’t mean you’re in for an anti-social season. Text your friends, but trade your stilettos for slippers, your Ubers for Netflix and your keg stands for kernels. It’s prime time for a movie night, and we’re making popcorn.

The Popcorn

Stovetop popcorn is a great way to go. Not only is it incredibly simple, but also when using stovetop popcorn you won’t have to worry about the questionable additives in the microwave variety. Each recipe requires this as a base.

Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 2-4 people

Ingredients:
½ unpopped popcorn kernels (yields 8-10 cups, popped)
3 tablespoons oil

Directions:
1. Add oil to a large (preferably deep) pan on medium heat, along with three kernels.
2. Once all three kernels have popped, add in the rest of the corn. Shake the pan and make sure oil is evenly distributed.
3. Cover pan with lid, leaving it slightly skewed so steam can escape (no one likes soggy popcorn)
4. Shake pan gently about every couple of seconds
5. Once there are 2-3 seconds in between pops, it’s ready! Immediately remove from heat.

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (1)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (2)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

Sriacha-Honey Sesame Popcorn

This tangy, spicy and sweet combo is perfect for anyone who simply can’t decide what they’re in the mood for. The thrilling flavor works well with action movies.

Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes (excluding popcorn preparation)
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
Popcorn
3 tablespoons butter
1 heaping tablespoon Sriacha
1.5 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Salt, to taste

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (4)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

Directions:
1. Set popcorn aside in a large bowl
2. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat
3. Stir Sriacha and honey into butter until well combined. Take off the heat.
4. Slowly pour half of your mixture over popcorn and toss to coat. Do the same with the remainder.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds over popcorn, and toss again. Salt to taste, and serve right away!

Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (5)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

A big warm bowl of this stuff and you’ll be transported back to cozy Sunday dinners at home. The comfort of this popcorn pairs nicely with an indie drama.

Easy

Prep time: 5 minutes(excluding popcorn preparation)
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
Popcorn
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced rosemary
½ cup finely grated parmesan (freshly grated is best)
Salt, to taste

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (6)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

Directions:
1. Set popcorn aside in a large bowl
2. Melt butter and olive oil in a saucepan on medium-low heat
3. Once melted, add in rosemary and raise heat slightly. Cook for around 2 minutes, but be careful not to let the butter brown.
4. Remove from heat and pour half of your mixture over popcorn and toss to coat. Do the same with the remainder.
5. Sprinkle in parmesan, and toss to coat.

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (7)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

6. Salt to taste, and serve immediately!

Dark Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Popcorn

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (8)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

Saving dessert for last, of course! This luscious popcorn is a great combination of salty and sweet, and crunchy and smooth. Its decadence is perfect for a sexy chick flick or psychological thriller.

Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes(excluding popcorn preparation)
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total time: 1-2 hours

Ingredients:
Popcorn
2 tablespoons butter
Salt, to taste
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate
1.5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
½ cup white chocolate

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (9)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

Directions:
1. Toss popcorn with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and lightly salt to taste. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Combine semi-sweet chocolate and peanut butter in a bowl and melt on high in 30-second intervals. After each interval, stir the mixture so your chocolate doesn’t burn. It should be good to go after 1:30.
3. Once the chocolate and peanut butter is completely melted and combined, use a spoon to generously drizzle over the popcorn.
4. Melt white chocolate in the microwave on 20-second intervals, stirring with each break. It should be done after a minute.
5. Again, drizzle melted white chocolate over popcorn.

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (10)

Photo by Alina Polishuk

6. Let the chocolate harden (it’s faster if you let it sit in the fridge and shouldn’t take more than an hour).
7. Once the chocolate is hard, break the popcorn into pieces and serve!

So there you have it. Three super easy popcorn recipes that will take your wintery movie night from dull to delicious. The hardest part of your evening is going to be picking the movie, I guarantee.

Like this? We figured. Why don’t you pin it?

3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (11)

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If you want to take your movie night to the next level, check out these delicious boozy beveragesrecipes.

  • Boozy Hot Chocolate
  • Spicy Margs
  • Spiked Cider
3 Insanely Easy Popcorn Recipes for Your Next Movie Night (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to a bag of popcorn? ›

Nutritional yeast, MSG, miso, Parmesan cheese, dulse granules, mushroom powder, fish sauce, and shrimp paste are all savory powerhouses that will make any bowl of microwave popcorn sing.

What do you coat popcorn with? ›

Toppings
  1. Melted butter.
  2. Sea salt.
  3. Ranch seasoning.
  4. Tajín.
  5. Cheddar seasoning.
  6. Caramel sauce.
  7. Sprinkles.

How do you make popcorn better? ›

Other delicious popcorn seasonings (use instead of salt)
  1. Sriracha.
  2. Soy sauce.
  3. Nutritional or brewer's yeast.
  4. Truffle oil and Parmesan cheese.
  5. Cinnamon.
  6. Garlic powder or garlic salt.
  7. Ground coffee beans or cocoa powder, and sugar or cinnamon.
Dec 23, 2023

What is the most popular popcorn flavor? ›

Classic Butter - Classic buttered popcorn is the most popular flavor and a fan favorite. It's perfect for movie nights and a snack to enjoy anytime. Kettle Corn - Kettle corn is a delicious mix of sweet and salty flavors. It's a perfect snack for those who like a little bit of both.

How do you jazz up a bag of popcorn? ›

Nearly Calorie Free Popcorn
  1. Shake on Frank's Red Hot or Tabasco sauce.
  2. Dusting of parmesan cheese.
  3. Red pepper flakes.
  4. Taco seasoning.
  5. Garlic and rosemary.
  6. Dill and lemon zest.
  7. Garlic-infused oil.
  8. Mist with coconut oil.
Mar 16, 2011

How do you elevate bag popcorn? ›

Sprinkle parmesan cheese and black pepper for an Italian twist. Mix in some spicy nuts or trail mix for a savory snack. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt for a decadent dessert. Make a homemade caramel or toffee sauce and drizzle it over the popcorn.

What is the best combination with popcorn? ›

Go check them out:
  • Chili Powder. The first popcorn topping on our list is chili powder, and it's something you likely already have at home. ...
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning. ...
  • Crushed Pretzels & Chocolate. ...
  • Cayenne Pepper & Cumin. ...
  • Chili Lime. ...
  • Olive Oil & Parmesan. ...
  • Garlic Powder & Paprika. ...
  • Peanut Butter.
Jan 3, 2023

What's a good popcorn seasoning? ›

Butter & salt, but grated Parmesan cheese & melted butter works well. If I want something sweet, I would enjoy coating my popcorn with caramel and any nut, preferably macadamia. For savory, I prefer coating the popcorn with melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley and some salt, sometimes cheese.

Should you wet popcorn before popping? ›

Dry corn tends to pop partially or not at all. If the corn is too dry, remove the kernels from the ears then add moisture as described below. Wet corn pops slowly with a loud noise, the kernels are small and tough with a “chewy” texture and jagged look. There will also be a lot of steam coming out of the popper.

Why do you put water in the microwave before popcorn? ›

Try microwaving a glass of water first to help create a humid environment for your kernels. This will help the kernels remain tender, rather than tough. Then let your microwave work its magic, but make sure not to leave your microwave unattended when popping!

Does freezing popcorn make it pop better? ›

And once there's enough pressure from the steam, the hulls will burst and you'll have fresh, crunchy popcorn ready for you to eat. So when you freeze unpopped kernels, they'll lose moisture and turn into old maids way before they even have the chance to pop.

What can I put on popcorn instead of butter? ›

Butter Substitutes for Popcorn
  • Olive Oil. Olive oil is a healthy and tasty alternative to butter. ...
  • Trail Mix. Adding trail mix to your popcorn can introduce a variety of flavors while also providing a healthy alternative to butter. ...
  • Coconut Oil. ...
  • Avocado Oil. ...
  • Ghee. ...
  • Canola Oil.
Jan 3, 2023

What seasoning goes good on popcorn? ›

Butter & salt, but grated Parmesan cheese & melted butter works well. If I want something sweet, I would enjoy coating my popcorn with caramel and any nut, preferably macadamia. For savory, I prefer coating the popcorn with melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley and some salt, sometimes cheese.

What to add to microwave butter popcorn? ›

Besides adding extra butter, what else can I do to make my microwave popcorn taste even better? Often in the popcorn section of the grocery store you can find powdered seasonings you can add to your popcorn, sour cream and onion, white cheddar, nacho cheese, etc.

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