On January 19, we are greeted by National Popcorn Day, bringing with it a deliciously crunchy flavor that we all enjoy! This annual celebration honors the snack that satisfies our cravings, day or night.
This timeless snack can be sweet or savory, caramelized, buttered, or plain; shaped into sugar-coated balls or mixed with nuts and chocolate. No matter how you enjoy it, treat yourself on Popcorn Day, celebrated on January 19.
Dubai – Lina Al-Hourani
The word “corn” in Old English originally meant “grain,” or more specifically, the most common grain in a particular region. When Native Americans introduced their most common grain—maize—to early Europeans, the word “corn” was aptly used to describe it.
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As early as the 16th century, the Aztecs used popcorn in the headdresses they wore during ceremonies honoring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by corn kernels that burst open like white flowers.
Popcorn began gaining popularity in the United States in the mid-19th century. It did not become widely available until Charles Cretors, a confectioner, invented a steam-powered popcorn machine. By 1900, horse-drawn popcorn carts were roaming the streets of Chicago.
Around the same time, Louis Rueckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn, introducing the world to Cracker Jack. Then in 1908, a baseball anthem was born. Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” From that point on, popcorn—especially Cracker Jack—became closely associated with the sport.
Popcorn in Cinema History
Another love story tied to popcorn may have started slowly, but it quickly took hold. Who today can imagine going to the movies without a tub of buttery popcorn? Although popcorn was an economical snack, the cost of installing machines and properly ventilating theaters initially seemed impractical. If not for Glenn W. Dixon, we might still be buying popcorn from street vendors before a movie. Dixon invested the effort and money to place popcorn machines inside his theaters, and once other theater owners realized how quickly he recouped his costs, they followed suit.
The microwave oven sparked the next major evolution in the popcorn world. With the invention of the microwave, an entirely new market opened for this snack. Magnetron technology—developed by Raytheon for military use during World War II—was later adapted for microwave ovens. Percy Spencer played a key role in this breakthrough and famously used popcorn in his early microwave experiments.
Today, Americans consume about 13 billion quarts of popcorn annually—more than any other country in the world. Most of the world’s popcorn is grown in the United States, with Nebraska leading corn-producing regions in popcorn output.
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How to Celebrate Popcorn Day
Prepare your favorite popcorn and share a bowl with a friend. Take a photo and share it on social media using the hashtag #World_Popcorn_Day.
Creative Popcorn Recipes
Pad Thai Popcorn with Cilantro
Crunchy, delicious, sweet, spicy, aromatic, and amazing! For lovers of indulgence, this may be the greatest caramel-cilantro popcorn creation since popcorn balls were invented.
Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
⅓ cup popcorn kernels
1 cup dry-roasted salted peanuts, chopped
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup corn syrup
2 teaspoons lime juice
1½ tablespoons fish sauce
1½ tablespoons sambal oelek chili paste
1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest
⅓ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F). Line a baking sheet with greased aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat.
Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a large pot. Add popcorn kernels, cover, and cook while shaking until popping stops (about 5 minutes). Transfer popcorn to a large bowl, leaving unpopped kernels behind. Add peanuts and toss.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, ¼ cup vegetable oil, corn syrup, lime juice, and fish sauce. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and quickly stir in chili paste, lime zest, and baking soda.
Pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake, stirring every 10–15 minutes, until browned and sticky (about 45 minutes). Let cool until crisp. Toss with cilantro before serving.
Peanut Butter Popcorn
If you love peanut butter and popcorn, this sweet treat is for you!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
2 bags (3.5 oz each) microwave popcorn, prepared
½ cup vegetable shortening
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
20 large marshmallows
Instructions:
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine shortening, brown sugar, and marshmallows. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and melted.
Stir in peanut butter until fully combined.
Pour mixture over popcorn and quickly stir to coat evenly before it cools.
Caramel Popcorn Balls with Beef Bacon
You’ll love this easy sweet-and-salty treat. Wrap leftover popcorn balls individually in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 10
Ingredients:
12 oz beef bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces
8 cups popcorn
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
Pinch of salt
4 teaspoons room-temperature water
1 teaspoon softened unsalted butter
Instructions:
Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until fat renders and pieces are browned and crispy (5–7 minutes). Transfer to a strainer to drain excess fat and let cool.
Place popcorn in a large bowl, add cooled bacon, and gently toss.
Heat sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until it melts and turns light amber, gently swirling the pan—do not stir.
Reduce heat, remove from stove, and add cold butter cubes all at once, swirling until melted.
Add water and salt, whisking until a smooth caramel forms.
Pour caramel over popcorn mixture and stir quickly with a buttered spoon until evenly coated.
Butter your hands lightly and shape into balls once slightly cooled. Place on a tray to cool completely.
Chef’s Note: Do not press popcorn balls too firmly, or they will lose their light texture. You may add peanuts if desired.
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