Making movie night POP!

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.

Enjoy a handful at a time or as part of creative, flavorful snack recipes — like 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 The Popcorn Board's website.

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix

Yield: 14 cups

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 2 cups miniature pretzel twists
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup peanuts
• 2 cups rice 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

1. Heat oven to 300 F.  In large bowl, combine popcorn, pretzels, pecans, peanuts and cereal squares; set aside.

2. 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. Mixture will foam.

3. 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. 

4. Store in airtight container.

Maple Bacon Popcorn Mix

Yield: 2 quarts

• 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

1. Heat oven to 400 F. Line jellyroll pan with foil. Place wire rack in pan. 

2. Arrange bacon in single layer on rack. Bake 15 minutes until ends of bacon start to curl.

3. Remove and reserve 2 table­spoons bacon drippings. Brush bacon with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; bake 15 minutes until browned. Cool then coarsely chop bacon.

4. In large bowl, combine popcorn, pecans and cranberries.

5. Combine butter, black pepper, maple extract, remain­ing maple syrup and reserved bacon drippings. Cook over low heat until butter is melted. Drizzle over popcorn mixture and mix thoroughly.

6. Spread popcorn mixture in jellyroll or roasting pan. Bake 5 minutes. Toss in bacon pieces. Serve warm.

Truffle Popcorn

Yield: 10 cups

• 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
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

1. In large, heavy-bottomed pot with lid, combine olive oil and 1 tablespoon truffle oil. Add about 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 to distribute evenly.

7. Serve immediately or store in air­tight container.