Ever wonder what makes “movie theater” popcorn taste so good? If you’re wondering if a special ingredient is used…you are right.
The Super Bowl is right around the corner. I want to share this concoction with you in case you are planning to host friends and family at your home and want to surprise them with an authentic treat.
My husband, recently hosted a guys night at our home, and he wanted to make real “movie theater” popcorn to enjoy for a big fight on Pay Per View. He set out to discover the secret of “theater popcorn” and what makes it taste so good and be so addictive. He discovered that the recipe is pretty easy, if you have the right ingredients.
Watch a Video on Making Movie Theater Popcorn on YouTube
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Sure, it’s easier to prepare popcorn in a microwave but it’s so fun to use a popcorn machine and serve yourself anytime during a game..instead of going to the microwave to pop more corn….it’s just not the same experience..and of course kids love it too! We reserve our popcorn machine for bigger events, as there is a cleaning up factor involved.
It is important to use high quality popcorn to get the best result. We used Pop Secret, but Orville Redenbacher is also wonderful.
Begin by heating up the popcorn machine for a few minutes. Once it’s warm, add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the popper. The beta carotene in the coconut oil adds to the yellow coloring of the popcorn (secret number one).
Also add in 1/4 teaspoon of the secret ingredient. This ingredient seals the deal and is what the theaters use to make their popcorn (secret number two).
My husband likes to add a bit of butter flavored popping oil to the popper as well, maybe half a tablespoon, to give the popcorn an added buttery taste..but this step is optional (secret number three). The popcorn will still taste great without this oil.
Add a few kernels to the popper and wait for them to pop. Once they have popped, you know the canister is sufficiently hot and ready to add the remainder of the popcorn.
Add 1/4 cup of kernels to the canister. They will start popping quickly. When you notice the time interval between the popping has slowed, that means your popcorn is ready. It will burn if you keep it in the canister too long. Better to take it out and have a few kernels that are not popped than leave in too long and cause burning. The stench of burning popcorn is not a smell you want in your home 🤭
Notice the rich yellow color of the popcorn? If you are feeding a large crowd, you will want to make several batches to have on hand before your guests arrive. To keep the popcorn warm, remember to leave the light on, in the machine.
Top with butter topping and a variety of seasonings to fit your taste, like cheese and bacon 🙂
Lastly, Enjoy your authentic style movie popcorn!
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I’d love to hear from you, if you try one of my recipes drop me a line!
Denise
XO
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12 thoughts on “How to Make Authentic “Movie Theater” Popcorn”
I would love to have a bucket!
Try it out Mel, you will love it!
I have been tempted to buy that pop corn machine in the past..but have been intimidated by the thought of clean-up. How” involved” is the cleaning after each use?
Hi Cindy, it takes some effort to take the popper and tray out to wash and then scrub down the sides. We use the machine for special occasions and events, if we are using the theater to watch a family movie, typically we microwave…just for ease. But we like having the machine and the popcorn stays fairly fresh in the machine for days too.
I always loved the look of the machine..even if never used, it looks great! 😃
I agree Cindy, I do too! Great minds think alike 😉
It looks great!
It is Joni, you should try it sometime 🙂
Hello! I bought and did everything in your wonderful recipe and the taste is super yummy but my popcorn is kind of tough if that makes sense? Rather than soft and crunchy. I have an 8 oz nostalgia popcorn machine cart. Thanks
Hi Caitlyn, What kind of popcorn did you use? Sound like it may be the popcorn. I would try a different one, how about Orville Redenbacher?
Whats the second secret ingredient?
Hi Kelly, there is also a video you may want to watch, the link is included in the post. The make real authentic pop, use beta carotene oil.
*Affiliate links are included for your shopping convenience*
It is important to use high quality popcorn to get the best result. We used Pop Secret, but Orville Redenbacher is also wonderful.
Begin by heating up the popcorn machine for a few minutes. Once it’s warm, add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the popper. The beta carotene in the coconut oil adds to the yellow coloring of the popcorn (secret number one).
Add 1/4 cup of kernels to the canister. They will start popping quickly. When you notice the time interval between the popping has slowed, that means your popcorn is ready. It will burn if you keep it in the canister too long. Better to take it out and have a few kernels that are not popped than leave in too long and cause burning. The stench of burning popcorn is not a smell you want in your home 🤭
Notice the rich yellow color of the popcorn? If you are feeding a large crowd, you will want to make several batches to have on hand before your guests arrive. To keep the popcorn warm, remember to leave the light on, in the machine.
Top with butter topping and a variety of seasonings to fit your taste, like cheese and bacon 🙂
Lastly, Enjoy your authentic style movie popcorn!
I would love to have a bucket!
Try it out Mel, you will love it!
I have been tempted to buy that pop corn machine in the past..but have been intimidated by the thought of clean-up. How” involved” is the cleaning after each use?
Hi Cindy, it takes some effort to take the popper and tray out to wash and then scrub down the sides. We use the machine for special occasions and events, if we are using the theater to watch a family movie, typically we microwave…just for ease. But we like having the machine and the popcorn stays fairly fresh in the machine for days too.
I always loved the look of the machine..even if never used, it looks great! 😃
I agree Cindy, I do too! Great minds think alike 😉
It looks great!
It is Joni, you should try it sometime 🙂
Hello! I bought and did everything in your wonderful recipe and the taste is super yummy but my popcorn is kind of tough if that makes sense? Rather than soft and crunchy. I have an 8 oz nostalgia popcorn machine cart. Thanks
Hi Caitlyn, What kind of popcorn did you use? Sound like it may be the popcorn. I would try a different one, how about Orville Redenbacher?
Whats the second secret ingredient?
Hi Kelly, there is also a video you may want to watch, the link is included in the post. The make real authentic pop, use beta carotene oil.