Movie-Theater-Style Popcorn

With this easy recipe for popcorn at home you can make classic movie-theater butter popcorn or spice it up with a maple-cayenne kettle corn variation.

movie theater popcorn and cocktail
Photo:

Ryan Liebe

Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Yield:
12 cups

Serve A-list snacks, and your next movie night (or game day) will win rave reviews. This recipe offers two deliciously different takes on popcorn: classic butter and a maple-cayenne kettle corn variation. You just need a medium stockpot with a lid to get popping.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • cup popcorn kernels

  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (we use Diamond Crystal)

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium heavy pot (preferably cast iron). Heat over high, stirring, until butter melts. Cover, reduce heat to medium-high, and cook, undisturbed, until kernels begin popping rapidly.

  2. Offset lid to create a 1/8-inch vent along one side of pot; continue cooking until popping begins to subside, about 2 minutes. Transfer popcorn to a large bowl; toss until cooled slightly, about 2 minutes. Serve.

Variations

SPICY MAPLE

Reduce butter to 2 tablespoons and salt to 1 teaspoon. Stir together 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1 tablespoon sugar, and a pinch of cayenne pepper; quickly add to pot once kernels begin to pop and shake vigorously a few times to evenly coat.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, January/February 2021

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