12 Best Popcorn Recipes for Movie Night In

Snacks to Go With Your Favorite Flick

By
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/24/23
Peanut Butter Popcorn

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Popcorn and the movies go together like peanut butter and jelly or a hot dog and a baseball game. But sometimes plain old butter and salt just doesn't fit the bill. We've rounded up our best popcorn recipes for times when you need something just a little more special. If you've never made popcorn at home beyond the self-inflating microwave bag, you owe it to yourself to give one of these awesome popcorn preparations a try.

  • 01 of 12

    Rainbow Popcorn

    colored popcorn

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    For a fun activity the kids will enjoy, try this easy colorful popcorn recipe. Try making a few different batches with a rainbow of colors for a pretty platter that will brighten up any party or make eyes pop if you give them as gifts.

  • 02 of 12

    Truffle Popcorn

    oil popped popcorn seasoned with fine truffle salt

    The Spruce / Pete Scherer

    Turn movie night or any time into a decadent experience by adding truffle salt to your stovetop-popped corn. This flavorful condiment can get pricey, but a little goes a long way. You may never want to eat popcorn without it again.

  • 03 of 12

    Peanut Butter Popcorn

    Peanut Butter Popcorn

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Coating popcorn in a sweet mixture of honey, creamy peanut butter, and corn syrup creates a delicious treat. It makes an excellent gift for teachers (assuming your class doesn't have any peanut allergies), a bake sale addition, or as a homemade holiday present.

  • 04 of 12

    Copycat Moose Munch

    Moose Munch

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Some call it moose munch, some call it muddy sneakers, others call it a totally different name, but this blend of toasted nuts and popcorn covered in caramel and chocolate hits the spot no matter what you name it.

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  • 05 of 12

    Zebra Popcorn

    Homemade Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Popcorn

    Getty Images / bhofack2

    We call this zebra popcorn because it gets drizzled with both white and dark chocolate after a sweet caramel coating. You can use pre-popped or microwave popcorn instead of stovetop or air popping it, but make sure to get just plain or salted so it doesn't compete with the topping.

  • 06 of 12

    Fruity Popcorn

    Fruity Popcorn

    The Spruce / Elizabeth LaBau

    The bright colors and fruity flavor in this unique candy-coated popcorn comes from Jell-O, so you have a wide array to choose from. Salted peanuts adds a nice contrast to the sweet popcorn, but you can leave them out if you don't love nuts or need to be allergy-conscious.

  • 07 of 12

    Candy Cane Popcorn

    Candy cane popcorn

    The Spruce 

    For a minty treat that tastes just like the holidays, reach for this candy cane popcorn. It uses crushed candy canes and white chocolate for that fresh and sweet flavor, and makes a delectable party snack or an edible gift.

  • 08 of 12

    Quick Cheddar Popcorn

    5-Minute Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
    The Spruce

    Make cheesy popcorn with real grated cheese instead of that electric orange fake stuff for a more assertive, real cheddar flavor. This recipe comes together in just a few minutes, so you can satisfy your cravings in a flash.

    Continue to 9 of 12 below
  • 09 of 12

    Green Caramel Corn

    Green popcorn

    Getty Images / volkansengor

    Whether you need a St. Patrick's Day snack or just want to entertain the kids with a fun afternoon activity, reach for this green caramel corn. Use light corn syrup instead of regular or dark, since you don't want anything to interfere with the color. Swap out the color with different food coloring to match your favorite hue.

  • 10 of 12

    Bacon Caramel Corn

    Bacon Caramel Popcorn

    The Spruce / Elizabeth LaBau

    For a sweet and salty treat, add bacon and pecans to caramel corn. The result tastes similar to candied bacon, with a crunchy texture that will have you reaching for handful after handful. Level it up by drizzling some melted chocolate over the whole thing.

  • 11 of 12

    Dairy-Free Vegan Caramel Popcorn

    Caramel Popcorn Baked

    Getty Images / Maryse Raymond

    Just because you avoid animal products doesn't mean you can't indulge in some sweet caramel corn. Swap out all that butter for soy-based margarine and you have an allergy-friendly treat on your hands. Add some dairy-free chocolate chunks and nuts for an even more special snack.

  • 12 of 12

    Easy Popcorn Balls

    Quick and easy popcorn balls

    The Spruce

    Buttery, sweet, and salty, these simple popcorn balls make a great classroom treat or bake sale contribution. Butter your hands before forming them so the popcorn doesn't stick to your fingers, or else you'll have a mess on your hands – literally.