How to Cook Popcorn That Tastes Like Movie Theater Popcorn?

Just like peanut butter and jelly, popcorn and movie theaters go hand in hand. There’s something distinctively special about the taste, color, and aroma of popcorn that you get at the movie theater. The $100, Oscar award-winning question is this, “how do you cook popcorn at home that tastes like movie theater popcorn?”

The most authentic way to cook popcorn that tastes like movie theater popcorn is to use Flavacol as a seasoning added to the coconut oil and the kernels. Flavacol gives popcorn a yellow tint. The theaters top the popcorn with butter-flavored oil which has less water so the popcorn is not soggy.

So, now that you know the secret ingredients that go into movie theater popcorn, let’s take a closer look so you can make it at home. It’s easier than you might think to learn how to make popcorn that tastes exactly like the delicious movie theater treat.

How To Make Movie Theater Popcorn With Flavacol?

Using Flavacol is the best way to make your popcorn taste like movie theater popcorn. Also, using butter flavored oil and yellow popcorn kernels will make your popcorn look like at the movies and your taste buds will be pleased. It might take a little practice to get it exactly how you want it to taste and it is possible.

What Is Flavacol?

Flavacol is a brand of seasoning that movie theaters commonly use to cook and season popcorn. It is a combination of extra fine salt flakes, artificial butter flavoring, Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 (to give the popcorn a yellow color).  Flavacol is added to the oil with the un-popped popcorn kernels and as the popcorn pops the seasoning will stick to the popcorn.

What Is The Best Oil For Making Theater Popcorn?

The best oil to use to pop theater style popcorn is either extra virgin coconut oil or canola oil. Both oils have the best smoke point and provide a flavor and texture that is most like the popcorn enjoyed at a movie theater. We think coconut oil gives the best results.

What Is The Best Type Of Popcorn Kernel To Use?

Most movie theaters use a traditional unseasoned yellow kernel popcorn also referred to as butterfly popcorn thanks to the resemblance of “wings” after the popcorn is popped. Yellow popcorn pops bigger, sturdier and holds up to the butter and salt flavoring.

How to Make Popcorn With Flavacol?

Ingredients – Stove Top Method

• 1 Teaspoon Flavacol
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
• ½ Cup Yellow Popcorn Kernels
• Butter Flavored Oil/Popcorn Topping
• Popcorn Salt

Directions – Stove Top Method

1. Grab deep stainless-steel saucepan
2. Add the coconut oil and melt over medium-high heat
3. Add a couple kernels to the oil, when they pop you are ready for the nest step
4. Add kernels and Flavacol to the pan and cover with a lid
5. Shake the pan back and forth on the burner to keep it from burning
6. Once the popping stops remove from the stove
7. Pour the popcorn to a nice big bowl
8. Add the butter flavored oil/topping and mix in the popcorn
9. Add popcorn salt to taste
10. Put on a movie and enjoy

What Are Homemade Ingredients for Theater Popcorn?

If you do not want to use Flavacol and butter-flavored oil there is another recipe. The only thing you will be missing is the yellow look of the popcorn that you get at the theater.

Using clarified butter will give you a good flavor without the sogginess that you tend to get when using regular butter. If you don’t want to make clarified butter you can purchase Ghee from the store. Ghee is clarified butter that has been cooked longer with the proteins.

What Is Clarified Butter?

Clarified butter is different from melted butter and is delicious on popcorn. Melted butter includes the butterfat, milk solids and water. Clarified butter is the golden translucent product that remains when the milk solids and water are removed from the butter.

Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular melted butter, it won’t make popcorn soggy like melted butter will so clarified butter is perfect for making popcorn. 

If you don’t want to make the clarified butter then you can buy Ghee and save some time. Ghee which is found at most grocery stores and markets is an alternative to clarified butter for homemade popcorn that tastes like movie theater popcorn.

What Type Of Salt To Use To Season The Popcorn?

The easiest salt to use would be popcorn salt as it is already fine and will stick to popcorn which is the desired outcome.

Kosher salt, sea salt and table salt are all perfect to season movie theater style and tasting popcorn. Use a coffee grinder or a food processor and pulverize the salt into a powder to coat and cover every nook and cranny of the popped kernel.

How to Cook Movie Theater Popcorn?

Ingredients – Stove Top Method with Ghee

• 1 Teaspoon Flavacol
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
• ½ Cup Yellow Popcorn Kernels
• 1-2 Tablespoons Melted Ghee
• Popcorn Salt

Directions – Stove Top Method

1. Grab deep stainless-steel saucepan
2. Add the coconut oil and melt over medium-high heat
3. Add a couple kernels to the oil, when they pop you are ready for the nest step
4. Add kernels to the pan and cover with a lid
5. Shake the pan back and forth on the burner to keep it from burning
6. Once the popping stops remove from the stove
7. Pour the popcorn to a nice big bowl
8. Add the melted ghee into the popcorn
9. Add popcorn salt to taste
10. Put on a movie and enjoy

There are two ways to make movie theater popcorn. Either use all the ingredients that the movie theaters use and you will get the tasty yellow popcorn that looks and tastes like what you get when going to the movies. The other way is to use ghee as the popcorn topping which is yummy and lacking the yellow coloring that you are used to at the theaters.

What you decide to do is up to you and both options are equally delicious. It might take a couple time to get the right about of flavoring and salt but the trying to get it just how you remember it is the best part.

Tip: Did you know that most theaters will let you purchase movie theater popcorn and leave without paying for a movie ticket