Make Your Movie Night POP!

by Family Features

Invite your friends and neighbors over, spread out some comfy seating, and dim the lights. Whether it’s a kids’ birthday party, an adult gathering, or nearly anything in-between, hosting a movie night in the comfort of your own home-—or on a projector in the yard—can be the perfect escape. Of course, tasty snacks only add to the fun.

Light and airy popcorn is a movie watching staple, and one you can feel good about eating. At only 30 calories per cup, whole-grain, freshly popped popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO, gluten-free, contains no artificial additives or preservatives, and is sugar-free.

Truffle Popcorn

Ingredients
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, white truffle oil, divided
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons shredded parmesan
• Sea salt and ground black pepper

Directions
1. In large, heavy-bottomed pot with lid, combine olive oil and 1 tablespoon truffle oil. Add three popcorn kernels.
2. Heat over medium-high heat until one kernel pops. Add remaining popcorn kernels; cover.
3. Once corn begins to pop, shake pot constantly over heat.
4. When popping slows, remove pot from heat and transfer popcorn to large serving bowl.
5. Melt butter and mix in remaining truffle oil. Pour mixture over popcorn; toss.
6. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper over popcorn; toss.
7. Serve immediately or store in air-tight container.

Popcorn Peperoni Pizza Dippers

Ingredients
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup tomato and basil reduced-fat cooking cream
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup sliced and chopped pepperoni
• marinara sauce, for dipping

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Spray 8 inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, whisk eggs, cooking cream, parmesan cheese and black pepper. Stir in popcorn, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
3. Spread mixture in prepared pan, patting down with spatula or spoon.
4. Bake 15 minutes until set and lightly browned. Let sit 5 minutes. Cut into 16 bars. Serve warm with marinara sauce.

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix

Ingredients
• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 2 cups miniature pretzel twists
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup peanuts
• 2 cups rice, wheat or corn cereal squares
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions
1. Heat oven to 300 F.
2. In large bowl, combine popcorn, pretzels, pecans, peanuts, and cereal squares; set aside.
3. In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir mixture until it begins to boil. Boil 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Note: Mixture will foam.
4. Pour syrup over popcorn mixture and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture onto large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking. Stir mixture several times as it cools. Store in airtight container.

Maple Bacon Popcorn

Ingredients
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 2/3 cup pecan halves, chopped
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon maple extract

Directions
1. Heat oven to 400 F. Line jellyroll pan with foil. Place wire rack in pan. Arrange bacon in single layer on rack and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Remove and reserve 2 table-spoons bacon drippings. Brush bacon with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; bake 15 minutes until browned. Cool then coarsely chop bacon.
3. In large bowl, combine popcorn, pecans and cranberries.
4. Combine butter, black pepper, maple extract, remain-ing maple syrup and reserved bacon drippings. Cook over low heat until butter is melted. Drizzle over popcorn mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Spread popcorn mixture in jellyroll or roasting pan.
6. Bake 5 minutes. Toss in bacon pieces. Serve warm.

Enjoyed a handful at a time or as part of creative, flavorful snack recipes—like Popcorn Pepperoni Pizza Dippers, Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix, Maple Bacon Popcorn Mix, and Truffle Popcorn—popcorn offers plenty of versatility to fit nearly any theme. Find more recipes perfect for serving at your next movie night at popcorn.org.

Make Your Movie Night Pop!

Make Your Movie Night POP!

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