Homemade Theater-Style Popcorn

Ingredients

• Popcorn popping oil
• Popcorn salt
• Popcorn kernels

About the Oil

Butter-flavored popping oil is the most important ingredient that makes theater popcorn taste like theater popcorn. There are two main types of butter-flavored popping oil: coconut oil and canola oil. Of the two, butter-flavored coconut oil seems to be the most popular choice. A search on Amazon may steer you in the right direction in choosing a good popping oil.

Equipment

I prefer to use a three-quart pot with a clear lid, however a popular option for a stove-top popcorn popper is the Whirley Pop.

Instructions

• 6 Tbsp popcorn kernels
• 6 Tbsp popcorn popping oil
• 1/2 tsp Flavacol popcorn salt

Note the 1:1 ratio of kernels to oil. It may seem like a lot of oil, but this amount of oil-to-kernel ratio is where you will get a popcorn flavor characteristic of movie theater popcorn. If fact, some recipes call for an even higher ratio of oil, as written in the New York Times' article, The Secret to Perfect Popcorn Is Already in Your Cupboard.

Place popcorn, oil, and salt in cold pot and turn the heat to high. Keep the lid off until the kernels are about to pop. As it's heating, swirl the kernels around every 30 seconds or so to ensure they are being heated evenly.

As your kernels heat up, you will notice they will start to swell. This is an indicator that your kernels will start popping very soon, so get your lid ready.

Once the first few kernels pop, place the lid on cocked to one side in order to allow the steam to escape. This is very important.

Popcorn is now popping at a fast rate. Oil and steam condensation begins building up on the bottom of the lid.

As the popcorn pops and rises in the pot, make sure it does not touch the bottom of lid. Even though the lid was cocked allowing steam to escape, there will still be some condensation built up on the bottom of lid. So, as the popcorn rises, remove the lid so that no popped kernels touch the bottom of the lid. Make sure to not tilt the lid above the popcorn as well, since the condensation will bead up and pour down into your popcorn. Hold the lid horizontally and remove to your sink.

Once popping has stopped, turn off the heat and immediately transfer the popcorn to your bowl. Top with popping oil for true theater style. You can also use butter, clarified butter, or mixture of butter/popping oil. Add more Flavacol popcorn salt if necessary.

Leftovers

Leftover popcorn is wonderful if you haven't tried it, but leaving it out will make it go stale. Place uneaten popcorn in a ziplock bag for a great snack later.