4 ways you can recreate movie theatre popcorn at home

One thing we’ve missed these past few months is the full movie theatre experience; the big screen, the ability to completely hone in on what you’re watching — oh, and the popcorn. You know, the big, savoury bag of popcorn that hardly makes it through the previews?

If there’s any silver lining to the current moment, it’s that it’s encouraged us to seriously up home movie nights with our bubble. Foremost, recreating the cinema experience has meant finding the perfect light, fluffy popcorn to fulfil that craving.

It’s hardly a surprise that our findings all point towards Orville Redenbacher popcorn as the only worthy adversary to the movie theatre variety. All the better, it’s an alternative you can feel good about since almost all of their products have no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

Since the brand itself has been around for 50 years, it makes sense they’ve had time to perfect the recipe: from Orville’s time growing up on a farm in Indiana selling popcorn as a grade school student to earn money, to introducing the world to the first shelf-friendly microwave popcorn. Today, the brand is synonymous with the poppable snack and still revolutionizing the popcorn game.

In honour of the 50th anniversary, you can make snacking at home extra special with a complimentary personalized popcorn bowl when you purchase any two Orville Redenbacher snacks. Never again will you have to face the dilemma of having to share your popcorn.

As the weather turns chilly and we migrate indoors for the cozy season, the timing couldn’t be better. We’re sensing there will be tons of family movie nights in the coming months, which is why we’ve put together fun ideas for recreating the movie magic from home with some theatre popcorn inspiration (with a twist).

Popcorn Party Mix

Orville Redenbacher

This popcorn-snack mix combo is made for those with a savoury palate. The pretzels and peanuts add a layer of crunch to an already fabulous snack, while the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings add some additional flare.

Ingredients:

• 2 bags Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Buttery Microwave Popcorn
• 2 cups traditional-flavoured snack mix
• 1 cup tiny pretzel twists
• 3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels. Place popped corn, snack mix, pretzels, and peanuts in a large bowl.
2. Stir together butter, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Drizzle over popcorn mixture; mix well.
3. Spread in 15 x 10-inch shallow baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once after 10 minutes. Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container for up to three days.

Popcorn Candy Bowl

Orville Redenbacher

What’s not to love about a blend of buttery popcorn and your favourite movie theatre candies? The only downside is that you may never go back to regular popcorn again.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Buttery Microwave Popcorn
• 1 cup chocolate covered raisins
• 3/4 cup gummy bears
• 3/4 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces

Method:

1. Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels. Place popped corn in a large bowl. Let it cool slightly.
2. Add raisins, gummy bears, and chocolate pieces to popcorn. Toss together; serve immediately. Store the remainder in a tightly sealed container for up to three days.

Chili-Spiced Popcorn

Orville Redenbacher

Say hello to your favourite snack, but with a kick. This super easy to make recipe will satisfy your popcorn craving, but with a smoky chili flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 bag Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Buttery Microwave Popcorn

Method:

1. Blend regular and chipotle chili powders together in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels.
3. Place popped corn in a large bowl. Sprinkle with chili powder mixture. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly. Store the remainder in a tightly sealed container for up to three days.

Buffalo-Style Hot Popcorn

Orville Redenbacher

This recipe is as ideal for movie night as it is for football Sundays. The combination of hot sauce and margarine is the closest thing to biting into some hot wings.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Buttery Flavour Microwave Popcorn
• 2 cups corn chips, slightly broken
• 1 tbsp margarine, melted
• 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
• 2 tbsp hot pepper sauce

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels.
3. Place popped corn, corn chips, and peanuts in a resealable food storage bag.
4. Combine hot sauce and melted margarine.
5. Pour over popcorn mixture; seal bag and shake until popcorn mixture is coated evenly.
6. Place mixture in a 15 x 10-inch shallow baking pan in a single layer.
7. Bake for five minutes, stirring once.
8. Serve immediately or cool and store in a tightly sealed container for up to three days.

For more fun recipes, head to the Orville Redenbacher website. Or, if you’re pressed for time, you can always opt for the ready to eat movie theatre butter flavour for popcorn that’s movie-ready.

Oh, and don’t forget to cash in your free personalized popcorn bowl with any two purchases of their versatile treats available in microwaveable, kernels, and ready-to-eat styles at all retailers across Canada.