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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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