Have you ever given or received that classic divided tin with three flavors of popcorn? You can easily make your own homemade Popcorn Factory popcorn with the same favorites: Buttered popcorn, cheddar popcorn, and caramel popcorn.

Popcorn Factory

The classic trio of popcorn divided in those keepsake tins from The Popcorn Factory was for years my mom’s go-to gift for giving. Moving to college? You get a tin of popcorn. Halloween? Thanksgiving? Birthday? Arbor Day? You get a tin of popcorn. Tins of popcorn all around.

But it’s actually super-easy to make your own buttered, cheddar, and caramel popcorn. These recipes for homemade Popcorn Factory popcorn let you personalize the gift even more since it’s from your own kitchen, and you can package the stuff any way you like.

Or, if you just love a particular flavor, make a bunch for movie night.

more homemade snacks

• If you like this snack, check out these homemade Goldfish crackers. 
• Or try homemade Cheez-its. 
• I adore air fryer chickpeas, too. 

popcorn factory popcorn recipes 

The recipes are pretty simple, so feel free to add any other flavoring or portions you like to suit your own taste.

The batches here are rather small, only three cups each, but the recipes are easily doubled (or tripled or quadrupled) if you have a lot of gift giving to do.

The flavorings work best with plain, air-popped popcorn.

how to pop popcorn without a popcorn maker 

If you do not have a popcorn popper, though, there are a couple of work-arounds. I own a small microwave air popper that works well, although it only makes a couple cups at a time. (They do make larger versions.)

Alternatively, I have made air-popped popcorn in the microwave in a brown paper lunch bag.

Pour a quarter cup of kernels in a brown paper lunch bag and fold the top to enclose. Microwave for two to three minutes or until the popping slows. 

we love popcorn 

For gift giving or just snacking, Popcorn Factory popcorn can come right from your own kitchen, and it only takes minutes to make. It’s a great combination of sweet and salty, crunch and flavor. Next, I’ll have to search for some perfect divided containers to package all the goodness.

If you like this flavored popcorn, you would also love my Thin Mints popcorn. This post for homemade Popcorn Factory popcorn also appears on Food Fanatic. Need more homemade recipes? Try these Milano cookies.

how to make homemade Popcorn Factory popcorn:

Yield: 18 servings

homemade Popcorn Factory popcorn

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Homemade popcorn Factory popcorn in cheddar, caramel, buttered

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 9 rounded cups Air Popped Popcorn, divided
• 8 tablespoons Butter, divided
• half an 11 ounce bag Caramel Bits, about 19 bits
• 1/8 cup Cheddar Popcorn Seasoning
• Sea Salt

Instructions

For the Caramel Popcorn:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Place 3 rounded cups of popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, place 2 tablespoons butter, the caramel bits, and 1 tablespoon water. Microwave for 90 seconds or until the caramel is melted. Stir well until smooth.
3. Scrape the mixture into the bowl of popcorn and stir well. If desired, add a pinch of sea salt.
4. Pour the contents onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake the popcorn for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Let the popcorn cool and break into pieces.

For the Buttered Popcorn:

1. Place 3 rounded cups of popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in the microwave and pour over the popcorn.
3. Gently stir to coat the popcorn. If desired, add a generous pinch of sea salt and stir well.
4. Pour the popcorn onto a tray to let dry about 30 minutes.

For the Cheddar Popcorn:

1. Place 3 rounded cups of popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in the microwave and pour over the popcorn.
3. Add 1/8 cup of cheddar popcorn seasoning to the popcorn. Gently stir to coat the popcorn.
4. Pour the popcorn onto a tray to let dry about 30 minutes. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 124mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g

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