For evenings with family or friends, there's nothing better than lots of crispy and tempting popcorn ready to be munched one after the other. Since childhood, we are used to making them by simply using fresh corn kernels and making them pop in a pan, a pot, or even in the microwave oven.

However, there is an even easier and faster method, capable of bringing some of the magic of the cinema home: using a popcorn machine. So, let's see together how to make popcorn using this method, along with several delicious recipes to entice both adults and children.

How to make popcorn at home

Sofa, movie, and popcorn: the perfect ending to a day, to be spent in the company of your loved ones. But how do you make popcorn exactly like those at the cinema? Simple, by opting for a popcorn machine like those from Ariete, which can bring all the taste of freshly popped corn into our home. Using the special hot air cooking method, in a handful of minutes we can munch on fragrant and light popcorn, making the whole family happy. Or pampering our palate for a solo movie marathon.

We won't need to add anything else, neither oil nor fat: just turn on the machine and wait a few moments to fill the bowl with a tasty but light, fat-free, and all-natural snack. Once ready, the hot, freshly made popcorn is collected directly in a removable bowl with a transparent lid, to be taken directly to the table or sofa. 

Homemade Popcorn: the most delicious recipes

If we now know how to make popcorn at home thanks to the right machine, in the same way we can unleash our imagination to create delicious variations, both savory and sweet. Once our genuine and fragrant popcorn is ready, it will certainly be delicious to enjoy plain. However, we can make them more flavorful by adding other ingredients, naturally according to our taste. Below, some popcorn recipes that will delight your senses. 

Caramel popcorn

We will need 120 grams of popcorn prepared following the machine's instructions, 2 tablespoons of ready-made caramel, 15 grams of butter, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar - alternatively, cane sugar is also fine. Melt the butter in the microwave oven and mix with the caramel. Once a homogeneous liquid is obtained, let it rest for a few minutes. In a fairly large bowl, coat the popcorn with the sauce and simultaneously add the sugar. Continue mixing until all the popcorn is well seasoned. 

Parmesan popcorn

Always prepare 120 grams of popcorn, and set aside 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, half a teaspoon of black pepper, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, one of salt, and a cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese. Start by mixing the garlic powder with the pepper, salt, and Parmesan, then let the mixture rest. In a large bowl, sprinkle the popcorn with the hot olive oil and mix well. Slowly, then add the dry ingredients and continue stirring until the popcorn is evenly seasoned.

Pizzaiola popcorn

Cook 120 grams of corn kernels in the popcorn machine and, in the meantime, prepare 3 tablespoons of heated olive oil, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, and one of chili powder. Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and oregano, and mix by adding salt and a little chili powder. After letting the mixture rest for a few minutes, drizzle the popcorn in a bowl with the hot olive oil and mix well. At this point, only the dry ingredients are missing: add them and mix carefully.

Rustic popcorn

120 grams of popcorn, 3 tablespoons of heated olive oil, half a tablespoon of balsamic glaze, a teaspoon of salt, and one of dehydrated onion: these are the right ingredients to prepare delicious rustic popcorn. All we have to do is finely chop the dehydrated onion and mix it with the salt, let them rest in a bowl, and at the same time combine the hot olive oil with the balsamic glaze. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and add the newly created sauce, then slowly add all the dry ingredients. Mix carefully and lick your chops!