How to Make Movie Theater Popcorn

The main identifying factor of movie theater popcorn is its intense buttery flavor. Therefore, you can pick your preferred method of popping, and then add in flavoring to make it taste more like your favorite theater popcorn. You can purchase a flavoring or make clarified butter at home for a natural butter flavor.

Ingredients

Microwave Clarified Butter

Servings: 3/4 cups

2 sticks of butter

Stove-Top Popcorn

Servings: About 4 quarts

3 tablespoons peanut oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/2 teaspoon popcorn salt^{[1]
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3-4 tablespoons clarified butter

Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag

Servings: About 2 quarts

1/4 cup popcorn kernels
Salt to taste
2-3 tablespoons clarified butter^{[2]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Microwaving Clarified Butter

1
Melt the butter in the microwave. Add the butter to a microwave-safe bowl. It should be at least a 4-cup bowl.^{[3]
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- Using clarified butter is one way of replicating movie-theater flavor because it takes some of the moisture out. Movie theaters tend to use oils that have less moisture than water, so they aren't as soggy as home popcorn.^{[4]
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2
Heat the butter until it melts. Place the bowl in the microwave. Heat the butter on high until it is all melted.^{[5]
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3
Let the butter sit. Leave the butter alone in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes. It should separate out into three distinct layers.^{[6]
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- The top layer will be a light foam. The middle layer will be a golden liquid, while the bottom layer will be cloudy and more solid, as it is formed from the milk solids.^{[7]
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4
Use a spoon to skim off the top. Dip the spoon lightly into the top of the butter, letting the foam drain into the spoon. Discard the foam. Keep dipping until most of the foam is gone.^{[8]
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5
Pour the middle layer into a jar. The middle layer is the clarified butter. Pour into a covered container. Do not pour the solids at the bottom of the butter into the jar. Throw away the solids once you've poured off the middle layer.^{[9]
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6
Use your clarified butter on popcorn. Drizzle the clarified butter over popcorn. Refrigerate any leftovers for later.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Stove-Top Popcorn

1
Begin with a large metal pot. A small soup pot or a large saucepan should work fine. Add 3 tablespoons of peanut oil the pot.^{[11]
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- Some movie theaters cook their popcorn in coconut oil, so if you prefer, you can substitute coconut oil for the peanut oil. Heat the oil until it's liquid before placing it in the pot.^{[12]
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2
Add the 1/2 cup of popcorn and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use aluminum foil to form a lid for the popcorn, which will keep the kernels from flying out. However, to let the steam out, cut holes in the top with a knife. Letting the steam out results in a crispier popcorn.^{[13]
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- Instead of salt, you can substitute what many movie theaters use, a popcorn salt with flavorings called Flavacol. You can find this flavoring at a restaurant food supply store or on the internet.^{[14]
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3
Heat the pot. Set the pot on the burner on medium heat. Turn the heat on medium.^{[15]
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4
Heat for 3 minutes. As it heats, move the pot around to keep the kernels from staying in one place. Be sure to use oven mitts to protect your hands. Listen for the popcorn to stop popping. If it stops before 3 minutes, take it off the heat.^{[16]
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5
Stir the popcorn. Take the aluminum foil off, and stir the popcorn to incorporate the salt.^{[17]
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6
Add clarified butter. Add 2-3 tablespoons of clarified butter. While stirring the popcorn, continuously drizzle the butter over the popcorn, so it coats it evenly.^{[18]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cooking Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag

1
Open a brown lunch bag. You just need a basic brown paper lunch bag that you can get from most grocery stores.^{[19]
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2
Add the popcorn. Pour in 1/4 a cup of popcorn. Close the bag by folding down the top a few times.^{[20]
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3
Microwave the popcorn. This process can take 2 to 4 minutes, depending on your microwave. Listen for the popcorn to slow down to a couple of seconds between each pop. When it does, stop the microwave.^{[21]
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4
Pull the bag out. Open the bag, being careful of the steam. Pour the popcorn in a bowl.^{[22]
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5
Add clarified butter and salt. Pour the 2 to 3 tablespoons of clarified butter on the popcorn and stir. Add the salt, and stir again. The butter will help the salt stick to the popcorn.^{[23]
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