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Nov 8, 2017 · The good news is that it is possible to get the movie theater popcorn experience without eating six tablespoons of Butter Flavored Topping. Learn how to make movie theater-style popcorn at home with real butter.
- Overview
- Making Movie Style Popcorn
- Using Artificial Butter Flavors
The appeal of movie theater popcorn has little to do with actual butter, but sometimes you can't beat that nostalgic, greasy taste. You can buy most of the same products used by actual movie theaters, but it's also possible to get close with nothing more than basic pantry ingredients.
Many movie theaters use salt processed using the Alberger process, as the many jagged edges on the salt crystals help it stick to the popcorn.
Diamond Crystal is the only consumer salt brand in the United States that uses this process.
You can get a similar effect from extra-fine powdered salt, which is often sold as "popcorn salt" and stocked next to the popcorn.
You can create powdered salt at home by grinding any salt in an electric coffee grinder, hand-turned salt mill, or mortar and pestle. If using a coffee grinder, grind a small amount of coffee beans afterward to remove the leftover salt.
Theaters that do use real butter (rather than butter-flavored oil) often use clarified butter. Clarification removes some moisture from the butter, which prevents the popcorn becoming soggy.
You can clarify butter at home just by melting it over low heat until the bubbling stops and the liquid turns clear, about 30-40 minutes for 1 lb (0.45 kg) of butter.
Pop your popcorn in coconut oil or canola oil
These are the two most common oils used by movie theaters. Heat a thin layer of oil until shimmering in a large pot. Add a few test kernels, then add the rest of the popcorn when they pop. Remove from heat for thirty seconds so the kernels reach an even temperature. Return to heat then cook, shaking occasionally, until popped.
You'll need about ⅓ cup popcorn kernels for a 6 quart (5.6 L) pot.
Add flavored salt during or after cooking.
Many theaters add a salt product that contains artificial butter flavor, often sold under the brand name Flavacol.
You can order this online to add to your own popcorn. Since 1 tsp (5 mL) Flavacol contains 116% of the FDA-recommended daily sodium limit, it's best to sprinkle sparingly.
Feb 13, 2018 · Yeah. That’s not the same as butter at all. Flavacol is the yellow powder that gets added during popping to give your popcorn that yellow buttery color. It is essentially just a super-fine salt with some coloring agents, although people swear it has butter flavor, even though there are no extra flavorings in it.
Nov 7, 2017 · According to Extra Crispy, that "butter" is actually made with Flavacol and Butter Flavored Topping. If you've ever wondered just what it is about movie theater popcorn that gives...
- Danielle Jackson
- News Writer & Producer
- daniellejackson@hearst.com
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Nov 14, 2017 · Movie theater popcorn butter isn’t actually butter, but a combination of chemicals that give off a buttery taste. According to Extra Crispy, that buttery taste is created by Flavacol, “the yellow powder that gets added during popping to give your popcorn that yellow buttery color,” and other chemicals.
- Brittany Gibson
May 6, 2021 · It's got to be butter. Nope! While butter flavor is involved, there's no actual butter in most movie theater popcorn. Instead, these two key ingredients give movie theater popcorn its signature taste and smell: popcorn popping oil and popcorn seasoning. Yup, it's that simple.
