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How to Make Movie Theater Popcorn at Home
Ever wonder if you could make popcorn as good as the movie theaters? The answer is you can. It can be done on the stove top or in a popcorn machine. What is the secret to movie theater popcorn? The secret ingredients are Flavacol and coconut oil as well as a buttery topping and sprinkling with popcorn salt.
Jump to Recipe
The Secret to Movie Theater Popcorn is the Ingredients
There are two main ingredients that go into popcorn like the movie theaters; Flavacol and popcorn popping oil – coconut oil. These are used while popping the popcorn. A couple of other ingredients can be used once it has popped and prior to serving.
What is Flavacol?
Flavacol is seasoned salt used by movie theaters that is very fine which allows it to stick to the popcorn, whereas a ground salt simply falls off. Adding it to the kernels prior to popping in the oil improves the coverage to the salt on the popcorn as it cooks without fear of burning. It also adds that yellowish hue that makes it look really buttery.
Popping Popcorn with Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another secret ingredient used by movie theaters to get that great tasting popcorn flavor you can never seem to manage to make at home. It isn’t just an oil. It adds a boost of flavor to the popcorn. Don’t be alarmed if it is solid, it only starts to liquidize when it reached 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Hence, why I say to use heaping tablespoons.
Buying a Popcorn Machine?
We purchased the Funtime commercial popcorn machine from Amazon. At the time Amazon had the best price and free shipping. It can be a little intimidating the first time out! So how do you make movie theater popcorn using a popcorn machine? It is quite easy. If you purchase a different popcorn machine, please follow the instructions that come with your machine. First plug in the machine and turn on the warmer and the pot heater buttons. Lift the kettle lid and add 4 heaping Tbsp of popcorn popping coconut oil. Note that coconut oil is a solid up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Give the oil approximately 5 minutes to heat up. In the meantime scoop up a cup of medium yellow popcorn kernels (or your choice of kernels) and sprinkle 2 tsp of Flavacol over the kernels. Once the oil is hot carefully lift the “hot” kettle lid, preferably using an oven mitt, and add the kernels Flavacol mix to the kettle. Shut the kettle lid and close the doors. It will take a minute or two before the kernels start popping. Once the popping slows to about 2-3 seconds between pops, open the doors and dump the kettle. Dump it back and forth until all popcorn is removed. Scoop into your favorite popcorn bowl or bucket. Liberally drizzle with buttery flavored popcorn topping. Use the popcorn salt to salt to taste. Sit back and enjoy the show with the best movie theater popcorn!
Movie Theater Popcorn
Ingredients
Stove Top Method
- 2 heaping tbsp Coconut Oil
- ½ cup Popcorn Kernels
- 1 tsp Flavacol
- Butter Flavored Popcorn Topping
- Popcorn Salt
Popcorn Machine Method
- 4 heaping tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 cup Popcorn Kernels
- 2 tsp Flavacol
- Butter Flavored Popcorn Topping
- Popcorn Salt
Instructions
Stove Top Method
- Add the coconut oil to a medium large pan that has a lid over medium high heat
- Add a kernel or two to test for readiness – when it pops it is hot enough
- Add kernels to a measuring cup and sprinkle with the Flavacol
- Once the oil is hot enough add the kernels / Flavacol and cover
- Continuously shake the pan back and forth on the burner
- Once the popping slows to almost nothing, remove from the heat
- Place in a serving bowl or bowls or you can get fancy by purchasing some popcorn buckets
- Generously add butter flavoring on top along with sprinkling with popcorn salt
- Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Popcorn Machine Method
- Add the coconut oil to the kettle
- Follow your machine's instructions. In my 16 oz commercial popping machine I leave the oil to heat for 5 minutes.
- Add kernels to a measuring cup and sprinkle with the Flavacol
- Once the popping slows to almost nothing, dump out of kettle
- Place in a serving bowl or bowls or you can get fancy by purchasing some popcorn buckets
- Generously add butter flavoring on top along with sprinkling with popcorn salt
- Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation or discounts for products, gifts or services when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. Please visit our disclosure policy for more details.
This looks great! My son turned me on to this recipe, with coconut oil and seasoning salt. Is there any kind of butter flavoured Popcorn topping that you particularly like?
Hi Catherine,
There are a couple of links to butter flavored popcorn toppings at the bottom of the page.
One is for a gallon jug and another is for a trio of coconut oil, Flavacol and a gluten free butter topping.
Check out those links!
Thank you!
So these quantities are actually for an 8oz machine as far as quantities go, even though you have a 16oz machine you’re just making 8oz at a time. Correct? Thanks!
Hi Marc, Yes, 1 cup of kernels, which is equivalent to 8 ounces of kernels, will make approximately eight quarts (or 32 cups or 2 gallons) of popped popcorn.
I didn’t know what theaters did differently to make their popcorn taste the way it does! Thanks for solving that mystery. 🙂
😊
I LOVE movie theatre popcorn! I know its not the best for you, but its a great treat. Its actually one of the things I craved when I was pregnant with a couple of my kids LOL!
There is nothing like movie theater popcorn.
We make popcorn in the microwave from regular kernels. I wonder if we could adapt this to that.
I don’t microwave popcorn but this guy does and shows you how with the same ingredients https://youtu.be/LOM1uuVqWds
YUMM! I agree. There something authentic about movie theatre popcorn!
Absolutely the best!🍿
I can’t live without popcorn. Thanks for the recipe and directions!
It is really the best!
Never heard of flavacol – must check it out. My kids LOOOOVE movie theater popcorn and its been probably 1.5yrs since they have had it.
Let me know how they like it!
Now we’re going to have some real movie nights at our house. We’ll make our very own movie theatre popcorn to go with it!
Yay! Movie night with movie theater popcorn 🍿
Ah, thanks for sharing! Haven’t had movie popcorn in AGES!
It is definitely worth a try!
This makes me want to host a movie night to try this recipe out! Movie theater popcorn is the BEST! This could be dangerous for me to know how to make it at home!
It is dangerous…dangerously good!
That would go over big in our house. The kids love popcorn and eat it a lot!
Make it in a big batch and save some for snacking during the week!
I never knew that I needed to combine Flavacol and coconut oil to make popcorn. I used coconut oil and my own table salt, but it just wasn’t the same as the popcorn at the movies. Thanks for sharing.
I am totally addicted to this popcorn & make a batch every weekend. It lasts in a plastic storage bag and tastes just as good days later.
Oh my goodness, I’m pregnant & popcorn is all I’ve been craving so I’m SUPER thankful I saw this……….literally just in time. haha Thank you for sharing. ❤︎
Congrats! Popcorn is awesome & even better when it tastes like it came directly from the movie theater!
Great recipe.. I am allergic to coconut so I will have to ask the next time I usually don’t get anything but now I’m curious! Yum!
Hi Holly, I hope you are doing well!
You could maybe make it with all the other ingredients and use a butter flavored popping oil!
Obviously being careful and checking the ingredients first!
This is very interesting. I’ve never heard of Flavacol and had not thought to use coconut oil.
I know right? It’s the secret to movie theater popcorn!
Great article. We love popcorn
Popcorn is one of our faves too…even more now that it actually tastes like it came from the movie theater!
I miss going to the movies and have been craving their popcorn. This is awesome!
I was so happy to have actual movie theater popcorn again!