National Popcorn Day

A Popcorn Bar

Popcorn Italian Style

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • 1/3 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmigiano-reggiano
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • kosher salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Puree the butter, tomatoes, and garlic in a food processor until it forms a smooth paste.
  2. Heat a small pan over medium heat and add the butter mixture.  Heat until melted down and fragrant, 3 minutes or so.  Keep warm.
  3. Pop popcorn according to package directions.
  4. Pour the popped popcorn into a large bowl.  While still warm, add the flavored butter, cheese, oregano and salt.  Toss to coat and serve.

Peanut Butter Cup S'mores Popcorn

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernals 
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2 cups mini peanut butter cups
  • 2 cups graham cereal
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pop popcorn according to package directions.
  3. In a large bowl, combine popped popcorn, marshmallows, peanut butter cups, graham cereal and salt.
  4. Place chocolate chips in a wide, shallow bowl and put in the microwave.  Heat it on medium high for about 1 minute to start with.  Remove from the microwave and stir.  Repeat heating at shorter intervals, (15 seconds), stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and has a smooth consistency.  Whisk coconut oil into chocolate and stir until melted.
  5. Drizzle melted chocolate over the popcorn and toss to combine.
  6. Spread popcorn mix on prepared baking sheet.  Allow to cool until chocolate hardens, about 10 minutes.  If the chocolate is still soft, place in the refrigerator until hardened.  Break into pieces and serve.  

Churro Popcorn

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 cups ready-made plain or lightly salted popcorn 
  • 1/2 cup butter, chopped into chunks
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Churro Coating

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Add 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Mix the churro coating ingredients together in a small bowl and put to one side. 
  2. Place the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract into a small saucepan.  Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the butter melts and sugar dissolves.
  3. Pour the butter-sugar mixture over the popcorn and toss together, so that most of the popcorn is coated.
  4. Pour one third of the churro coating over the popcorn, and toss together.  Repeat twice more, until all of the churro coating is mixed in.  Sprinkle over the white chocolate chips and serve immediately.

Buffalo Wing Popcorn

INGREDIENTS

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 8 cups popped plain popcorn (from 1/2 cup popcorn kernels)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Original sauce
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Lightly coat parchment and a large bowl with nonstick spray; add popcorn to bowl.  Set baking sheet aside.
  2. Bring sugar and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Boil, swirling pan occasionally, until caramel is a deep amber color, 10-12 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat; stir in hot sauce and butter (mixture will bubble vigorously).  Return to a boil and cook another 3 minutes.  Remove from heat; stir in salt, baking soda, and cayenne.  Working quickly (and carefully–caramel will be very hot), pour caramel mixture over popcorn and toss to coat.
  4. Spread out popcorn on prepared baking sheet and bake, tossing once, until dry, 15-20 minutes.  Let cool.
  5. Do ahead:  Popcorn can be made 4 hours ahead.  Store airtight at room temperature to keep out moisture.