How to Make Theater-Style Popcorn

Theater-style popcorn requires the perfect amount of butter and salt.

Movie theater popcorn is famous for its buttery and salty flavor. Although different kinds of microwave popcorn claim to recreate the theater-style taste, the only way to get it completely right is to pop the kernels yourself on a stove. This method creates light, fluffy popcorn that makes the perfect canvas for your butter and salt. Plus, buying unpopped popcorn kernels is less expensive than microwavable bags.

Things You'll Need

• 3-quart saucepan
• Canola oil

Instructions

1. Coat the bottom of a 3-quart saucepan with 3 tbsp. canola oil, and turn on your stove burner to medium high. Allow the pan and oil to heat up for a few minutes.

2. Drop a few unpopped kernels into the pan. When they pop, add 1/3 cup kernels and set the lid on crooked to vent some of the hot air.

3. Start shaking the pan back and forth over the burner while holding the top of the saucepan in place when the kernels start to pop. Don't let the kernels sit still on the bottom of the pan once they start popping, or they will burn.

4. Continue until the popcorn fills the saucepan. Remove the saucepan from the heat with the lid on until the popping finishes.

5. Empty the popcorn into a large mixing bowl. Toss the popcorn with 2 tbsp. melted butter and salt to taste.

References

• Simply Recipes: Perfect Popcorn
• Dux Computer Digest: How to Make Great Popcorn