When did movies get so expensive? I went to a movie theater a couple months ago to discover that they charge over $20 a ticket. Do you get to watch the movie with George Clooney? Does it include a free massage and steak dinner? $20 for just a movie?! I walked out.
Not only are the movies expensive though, but the snacks, including popcorn, are always overpriced. Thank you Redbox for allowing me to watch new movies at home, and for turning my money-saving dreams into a reality. To help create the full cinematic experience at home, I came up with three flavored popcorn recipes to enjoy why watching my favorite flicks.
All three flavored popcorn recipes are super simple to make, featuring four ingredients or less:
- Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn
- Savory Parmesan Popcorn
- Spicy and Smoky Paprika Popcorn
I recommend using an air popper to make these flavored popcorn recipes. I always use it when making popcorn and think it works great. It’s fast, easy to clean up and the popcorn never burns. Also, every kernel pops! Below is the one I use, but If you don’t have an air popper nor want to invest in one, the stove will work just fine. Budget Bytes will show you how to do it if you don’t know.
Flavored Popcorn Recipes: Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn
I went for a subtle dark chocolate flavor with this recipe. If you’re a chocolate lover though, unlike myself, I suggest you double the amount of dark chocolate used in this one to thoroughly enjoy it. I prefer the hint of dark chocolate with every sweet and salty bite.
Flavored Popcorn Recipes: Savory Parmesan Popcorn
This parmesan popcorn is savory and delicious. I’m at a lack of words to describe it, but it was probably my favorite flavor of the three. It kind of tasted like Cheez-Its, but then again not really. Just give it a shot, it’s good.
Flavored Popcorn Recipes: Spicy & Smoky Paprika Popcorn
This popcorn packs some subtle heat that is a nice change of pace to traditional buttery popcorn. It’s delicious on its own, but also goes great with the Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn. Sweet, salty AND spicy flavors in every handful.
Let’s get economical with these flavored popcorn recipes:
Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn – $0.65
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels – $0.21
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips – $0.42
- 1/2 tsp of salt (or to taste) – $0.02
Savory Parmesan Popcorn – $0.40
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels – $0.21
- 1.5 tsp parmesan cheese (plus more to sprinkle on top) – $0.10
- 1.5 tbsp butter – $0.09
- Optional: parsley
Spicy & Smoky Paprika Popcorn – $0.43
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels – $0.21
- 1/2 tsp paprika – $0.08
- Pinch of red pepper flake – $0.05
- 1.5 tbsp butter – $0.09
All of these recipes are less than a dollar. The movie theaters will charge you $5+. That’s all.
These three flavored popcorn recipes are perfect for movie nights, or any night.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp of salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1.5 tsp parmesan cheese (plus more to sprinkle on top)
- 1.5 tbsp butter
- Optional: parsley
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Pinch of red pepper flake
- 1.5 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Pop your popcorn in the air popper (or on the stove).
- While popping, put your dark chocolate chips in a microwave safe dish.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 15-20 second increments until fully melted. Stirring between increments.
- Put your popcorn onto a cookie sheet and drizzle the melted chocolate on top.
- Crack fresh salt over top (about 0.5 tsp).
- Pour the popcorn back into a bowl and mix to combine.
- Pop your popcorn in the air popper (or on the stove).
- While popping, put your butter in a microwave safe dish.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in 15-20 second increments until fully melted. Stirring between increments.
- Add your parmesan cheese (optional: and chopped parsley as well) to the melted butter and stir together.
- Pour the butter mixture and popcorn in a bowl, mix to combine.
- Pop your popcorn in the air popper (or on the stove).
- While popping, put your butter in a microwave safe dish.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in 15-20 second increments until fully melted. Stirring between increments.
- Add your paprika and red pepper to the melted butter and stir together.
- Pour the butter mixture and popcorn in a bowl, mix to combine.
I hope you enjoy these three flavored popcorn recipes! Looking for movies to enjoy them with? Here’s some classics:
(Whoops, you got chocolate in your parmesan.)
Good catch… thanks Jeff.
I love air pop. I’ve never tried making flavored pop like this, though. Seems like a really good snack. I usually just spritz it with a little butter, which I figure is better than popping it in oil and then spritzing it with butter, but I think I’d rather try some of these flavors.
Yea I think the same thing. I honestly think the air popper pops the kernels better, and you save on the oil. At the rate I eat popcorn I needed something to switch it up, and all of these were pretty easy to make!