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10 Out of the Box Popcorn Ideas

10 Out of the Box Popcorn Ideas

Who says popcorn is just for movie nights? We’re loving these creative takes on the classic snack with 10 Out of the Box Popcorn Ideas, brought to you by the Clif Family Culinary Team. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, enjoying a cozy evening at home, or simply craving a flavorful bite, these inventive popcorn recipes are sure to delight. Pair them with your favorite Clif Family wine, and you’ve got the perfect match for any occasion. Happy snacking!

Classic Popcorn Base Recipe

A round up of "Out of the Box" popcorn recipes from Clif Family. Yield: 20-24 cups popped kernels INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup popcorn kernels 1/4 cup of cooking oil, or enough to lightly cover the base of your pot

DIRECTIONS:

To a medium sized pot with tight fitting lid, add the popcorn kernels and oil. Place the pot over medium-high heat and heat until you start to hear kernels pop. Using caution and oven mitts, gently shake the whole pot (with the lid on) over the heat to keep from the kernels from sticking to the bottom. Continue to gently shake the pot until you can hear the kernels stop popping. Remove from heat and transfer the popped corn to a large mixing bowl.

Out of the Box Popcorn Ideas

Recipes by the Clif Family Culinary Team  

Ranch Popcorn

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family, featuring close up of ranch flavored popcorn with a glass of rose wine in the background. The image is set against a background of greenery. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, added to melted butter 2 tsp salt 1 tsp sour cream powder ½ tsp dried dill ½ tsp finely sliced chives 1 tsp vinegar powder (or sub 1 tbsp distilled vinegar) DIRECTIONS: Add the Worcestershire sauce to the melted butter or olive oil and whisk to combine. In a separate small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Drizzle the butter mixture over popcorn and sprinkle in the dry ingredients. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family North Coast Rosé of Grenache

Churro Popcorn

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family - Churro Popcorn. A close up shot showing the texture of the popcorn covered in cinnamon and sugar. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp cinnamon ½ cup brown sugar 2 tsp salt DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Toss popcorn with melted butter or olive oil followed by the dry seasonings. Toss to coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Napa Valley Chardonnay

BBQ Popcorn

BBQ Popcorn INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp liquid smoke to your melted butter or olive oil 2 Tbsp brown sugar 2 tsp salt 2 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp tomato powder ¼ tsp cayenne ¼ tsp finely ground black pepper ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Drizzle popcorn with melted butter and liquid smoke mixture followed by the dry seasonings. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Gary's Improv Zinfandel

Salt and Vinegar Popcorn

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family, featuring close up of salt & vinegar flavored popcorn with a wooden ramekin of sea salt in the background. The popcorn has sprinkles of salt all around it. There is a bottle of vinegar in the background. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp salt 1 tsp vinegar powder or 1 Tbsp distilled vinegar DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Drizzle popcorn with melted butter followed by the dry seasonings. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family North Coast Rosé of Grenache

Popcorn a la Carbonara

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family - Popcorn a la Carbonara. A close up shot showing the texture of the popcorn with diced and crispy pancetta and parmesan cheese. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup small-diced pancetta or bacon 1 clove of garlic, bruised or gently smashed 2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper ½ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan Reggiano DIRECTIONS: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add pancetta and bruised garlic clove and render down until pancetta is crisp. Remove the garlic clove once it starts to get dark brown. Toss dry popcorn with the crispy pancetta including the oil (rendered pancetta fat will replace melted butter or olive oil for this recipe). Sprinkle with black pepper and grated Pecorino to evenly coat. Serve while hot and enjoy. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Unoaked Chardonnay Clif Family Sonoma Valley Grenache

Caramel Corn

Halloween Caramel Corn INGREDIENTS: ½ cup butter 1 cup brown sugar ¼ cup Clif Family Solar Grown™ Raw Honey 1/8 tsp cream of tartar ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 200° F. Bring butter, brown sugar, cream of tartar and salt to a boil on the stove. Boil mixture without stirring for 5 minutes, or if you have a candy thermometer, until mixture reaches 235° F. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the baking soda. Caution: The mixture will foam up quite a bit. Carefully pour over popcorn in a mixing bowl and use a spatula to fold and coat. Transfer coated popcorn to a sheet tray with a silicone mat. Bake caramel corn for about an hour, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Cool and enjoy. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Napa Valley Chardonnay Clif Family Napa Valley Malbec

Buffalo Style Popcorn

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family, featuring a bowl of orange tinged popcorn inspired by the flavors of Buffalo wings. A plate of buffalo wings and blue cheese dipping sauce are in the background. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp salt 2 tsp cayenne (add to melted butter) 1 tsp vinegar powder (or sub 1 Tbsp distilled vinegar). DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Drizzle popcorn with melted butter followed by the dry seasonings. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc

Maple Butter Popcorn

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family, featuring a clear glass jar tipped on its side with maple butter popcorn spilling out. A bottle of maple syrup and a plate with sticks of butter are in the background. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup Vermont or Quebec maple syrup 2 tsp salt DIRECTIONS: Add the maple syrup to the melted butter or olive oil and whisk to combine. Pour syrup and butter mixture over popped corn and sprinkle in the salt. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Napa Valley Chardonnay Clif Family The Climber Bordeaux-Style Red Blend

Korean BBQ Popcorn

An "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family, featuring a bowl of popcorn tossed in a Korean-BBQ sauce. A bottle of soy sauce and a small Korean BBQ grill are in the background with chopsticks somewhat out of frame. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp sesame oil 2 tsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, or sub red chili flakes) ½ tsp ginger powder DIRECTIONS: Add the sesame oil and soy sauce to the melted butter or olive oil and whisk to combine. In a separate small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Drizzle the butter mixture over popcorn and sprinkle in the dry ingredients. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Clif Family x Reyna Noriega Red Wine

Chai Spice Popcorn

A close up shot of an "Out of the Box" popcorn recipe from Clif Family, featuring a bowl chai seasoning dusted popcorn in a brown ceramic bowl. A a few of the chai spice ingredients sit in ramekins in the background. INGREDIENTS: ½ stick of melted butter or ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom 1/8 tsp ground clove 1/8 tsp ground black pepper 1/8 tsp ground allspice 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp salt DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Drizzle popcorn with melted butter followed by the dry seasonings. Toss or fold with a spatula to evenly coat. SUGGESTED WINE PAIRING: Clif Family Napa Valley Viognier Clif Family Sonoma Valley Grenache

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