Fancy Popcorn Recipes You Can Easily Make At Home

Who doesn't love buttery movie theater-style popcorn? However, while it's a classic for a reason, you might want to change things up every now and then for your family movie nights.

Here at Popsmith, we like to make our own fancy popcorn snack platters at home. And we've compiled a list of our favorites to give you some ideas to follow. Don't worry—these are super simple and fun. 

What Is Fancy Popcorn?

Fancy popcorn is just like gourmet popcorn. It's made with high-quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations. The best type of popcorn to use for fancy popcorn is non-GMO kernels, organic, or heirloom varieties of popcorn. These usually have a superior taste and texture versus microwave or bagged popcorn. 

To make fancy popcorn at home, first you need to pop your popcorn kernels using a stovetop popcorn popper (this method makes the best-tasting popcorn). Once the popcorn is ready, drizzle some melted butter, coconut oil, or any oil of your choice over it. This will help your popcorn seasonings stick to every kernel and make it extra flavorful. 

Then you sprinkle the seasonings over the warm popcorn, adding ingredients like cinnamon sugar, parmesan cheese, or even a spicy cajun blend. Give the popcorn a good toss, and ta-da, it's ready.

See? We weren't kidding when we said making fancy popcorn is easy peasy. It's a quick way to upgrade your snack time and impress your loved ones.

Fancy Popcorn Flavors to Try at Home

Here's a quick look at how to make our favorite flavors of fancy popcorn:

Caramel Popcorn

This sweet treat is great as a snack or dessert, whether you prefer it crunchy like kettle corn or slightly chewier. 

To make caramel popcorn at home, start by popping some popcorn kernels and then spreading them on a baking sheet in a flat layer. Then melt some butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Stir in a tablespoon or two of corn syrup and a pinch of salt then cook the caramel until it's bubbling and very thick. 

Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn and bake the popcorn in a 225-degree oven until it is firm (about 10 minutes). Enjoy the caramel popcorn once it has cooled. 

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

Combine the rich taste of dark chocolate with the refreshing flavor of peppermint, and what do you get? One decadent treat you'll want to serve any time of the year — not just on Christmas.

To make dark chocolate peppermint popcorn, start by popping your popcorn kernels until they are fluffy and white. Spread the popcorn on a baking sheet tray in a flat, even layer. 

Microwave some dark chocolate in a large bowl, heating it in thirty-second increments until melted. Stir in a few drops of peppermint extract then drizzle the chocolate mix over the popcorn. Let the dark chocolate set so the popcorn will be crunchy. Try sprinkling some crushed candy canes over the chocolate for an extra festive touch. 

Truffle Popcorn

Want to be extra indulgent? Try truffle popcorn. The earthy, robust taste of truffles complements the saltiness of popcorn.  

To make truffle popcorn, pop some popcorn and then spread it out on a baking sheet. Melt some butter in a small saucepan and then mix in a small amount of truffle oil. Drizzle this over the popcorn and make sure to coat every kernel evenly. 

Try adding a little grated parmesan cheese and truffle salt to the popcorn for an extra flavor boost. You can also put the truffle popcorn in a low-temperature oven to make it extra crispy. Serve it hot to really enjoy the flavor to the fullest!

White Cheddar Popcorn

White cheddar popcorn is savory, cheesy, and creamy — everything you could possibly want for movie night or a weekend snack.

Just pop popcorn kernels in your Popper then transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. 

Melt a little butter in a pot and stir in some white cheddar cheese powder. Then drizzle the mixture over the popcorn and toss everything together. Serve the cheddar popcorn right away. 

Butter Pecan Popcorn

For such a fancy popcorn flavor, butter pecan popcorn sure is a breeze to make. This is the popcorn for you if you love nutty, buttery flavors. 

What you'll need to do is pop your corn first then pour it into a large bowl. Then you have to melt butter and brown sugar together in a pot. Bring it to a boil and stir in some chopped pecans. Once done, pour the mixture over the popcorn and toss well. 

After, spread the butter pecan popcorn onto a baking tray and bake it in the oven at 250°F for about 15 minutes. This will toast the pecans and bring out their flavor while also hardening the popcorn. 

Popcorn Balls

You probably grew up eating popcorn balls and helping your mom make them. It's a nostalgic treat that deserves a place at your next get-together. 

To make popcorn balls, pop some popcorn then place it in a large mixing bowl. Melt some butter and marshmallows in a medium saucepan and stir until the marshmallows are melted. Pour the marshmallows over the popcorn and toss everything together quickly. You can also add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit to the popcorn balls at this step.

Spray your hands with baking spray and then grab a handful of the marshmallow popcorn. Use your hands to form a ball then place the popcorn ball on a baking tray lined with waxed paper. Let the popcorn balls cool and harden and then serve.  

Peanut Butter Popcorn

Next on our list of fancy popcorn recipes is peanut butter popcorn. It might not sound sophisticated, but trust us, peanut butter and popcorn together create a perfect blend of sweet and salty. 

Start by melting butter in a small pot and then stirring in a big scoop of peanut butter. Let it get drippy, then pour it over freshly popped popcorn and toss. For an even more heavenly treat, try drizzling melted chocolate over the peanut butter popcorn. 

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

Warning: cookies and cream popcorn is one completely addicting snack. It's sweet, salty, and super crunchy.

To make this popcorn, melt mini white chocolate chips until they're smooth and creamy. Then slowly incorporate crushed cookie pieces and mix. Once that's done, you just need to pour the mixture over freshly popped popcorn and serve it. You can also drizzle dark chocolate over the popcorn and sprinkle more crushed cookies for a finishing touch.

Now THIS is fancy popcorn.

Sea Salt Pretzel Popcorn

Pretzels and popcorn are a match made in snacking heaven. Pretzels add a delightful crunch to the already satisfying crispiness of popcorn, plus they bring a savory flavor that complements the corn. Throw in a sprinkle of sea salt to the mix, and you'll have a snack that hits the spot every time. 

This fancy popcorn can be made in minutes. After popping a bowl of popcorn, mix it with a few cups of chopped pretzels and top it off with sea salt. You can also add a drizzle of salted butter to help the sea salt stick to the popcorn better. 

White Chocolate Popcorn

White chocolate popcorn is really more of a dessert than it is a snack. It's rich, indulgent, and just the kind of thing your sweet tooth is craving.  

Pop some popcorn first, then spread it on a baking tray in a single layer. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the popcorn and mix it until it's well coated. Wait a few minutes for the chocolate to set and then serve. 

How to Prepare Fancy Popcorn At Home & Save on Prep Time

As popcorn pros, we have a few tips and tricks we wanted to share that will help you make perfect fancy popcorn:

• Invest in a good quality popcorn popper. This will ensure you can make consistently delicious popcorn. 

• Measure and portion out all your ingredients before popping the popcorn. This will save you time and is something you can easily do while you're letting the stove pre-heat. You want to be ready to mix the ingredients together quickly, while the popcorn is warm. Seasonings tend to stick to warm popcorn better.

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Popcorn can stay fresh for about a week if stored correctly. 

Get More Snacking Inspiration from the Popsmith Blog

We hope you're excited to give these fancy popcorn recipes a try. What are you planning to make first? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to check out our blog for more popcorn recipes and snack inspiration!