Do you love going to the movies? Do you love popcorn? Well, we have some great news: movie theater popcorn is vegan! The reason is simple: the popcorn you enjoy at the movies is made with vegetable oil, not butter. This means that you can enjoy it with a clear conscience when you go see your favorite film.
But what about popcorn seasonings? Are they vegan as well? We’ll explore those options here in this article, along with some tips on ensuring that your popcorn is always vegan-friendly.
Is Movie-Theater Popcorn Vegan?
Yes! Movie theater popcorn is typically vegan, but you should always check the ingredients to make sure. Movie theater popcorn is made with popping corn, a type of corn that pops when heated. The popping process gives the popcorn its unique texture.
Most movie theater popcorns have a small amount of vegetable or soybean oil to help give them a light, crispy coating while being cooked.
In addition to these two ingredients, most brands add salt and butter flavoring to their recipes. While butter flavoring isn’t made from butter, it contains dairy products. So if you’re vegan, it’s best not to eat this kind of movie theater popcorn.
The good news is that most brands also offer a butter-free version of their popcorn, or you can simply make it vegan-friendly at home.
Is Popcorn Vegan Without Butter?
Popcorn is one of the most popular snacks in the world, but many people avoid it because they don’t know if it’s vegan or not. The good news is that most popcorn is vegan without butter! This means you can eat popcorn and still follow your vegan diet.
How to Make Vegan Popcorn
There are many ways to make your own vegan popcorn at home. One of the easiest ways is to use a microwave and a package of popcorn kernels. Put the kernels in a paper bag and fold them over the top several times. Put this bag into the microwave and heat until popping stops—this usually takes about two minutes. When you hear no more popping, remove it from the microwave and open the bag carefully, so you don’t burn yourself.
If you’re looking for something more hands-on than just popping corn kernels, there are plenty of other ways to make vegan popcorn at home. You can use an air popper or even just put some oil in a pan and pop them using a pot lid as a lid on top (make sure it’s not plastic). No matter what method you choose, we hope you enjoy your hot, fresh popcorn.
Is AMC popcorn Vegan?
Canola oil is used to pop the popcorn at AMC, which is a good start. Popcorn without butter is vegan, according to allergen info on their site.
But this is what I discovered online:
Yes, dairy is present in AMC’s popcorn seasoning. But the staff will gladly prepare a batch without the seasoning if you ask them to. However, since everything is prepared in the same kettle, the seasoning from all the batches of popped popcorn may be present.
I believe most people would agree that this plain popcorn is vegan as long as the butter (seasoning) is avoided. You aren’t increasing the demand for animal products unless you have an allergy. Thus slight contamination isn’t a significant concern.
Regal Movie Theater Popcorn: Vegan or Not?
According to reports, the butter topping occasionally includes dairy, even if the salt and popcorn are always dairy-free.
If you want vegan-friendly popcorn at Regal Cinemas, you’ll need to inquire about the specific theatre you’re visiting.
Cinemark Popcorn: Vegan or Not?
The worst movie theatre for vegans is Cinemark. Cinemark popcorn itself is vegan, but the salt is not. However, you can get a vegan-friendly option if you ask them to pop a fresh batch without popcorn salt.
Takeaway: If you’re going to a theater that is not AMC, chances are the popcorn might be vegan there, too. When in doubt, call the theater ahead of time and ask about the popcorn ingredients. If your movie theater uses butter, or if you’re not sure, don’t fret! There are a lot of vegan snacks available to enhance your movie-going experience.
List of Vegan Snacks at Movie Theaters
Here is a list of some vegan snacks that you may be able to find at a movie theater:
- Popcorn (without butter)
- Trail mix
- Dried fruit
- Nuts and seeds
- Pretzels
- Air-popped popcorn
- Popcorn chips
- Rice cakes
- Crackers
- Licorice
- Candy bars (such as certain varieties of Twix, Snickers, and Milky Way)
- Chips (such as Lay’s Classic or Kettle Brand Sea Salt)
Keep in mind that the availability of these snacks may vary by location, and it is always a good idea to check with the theater or read the ingredient lists to confirm that the snack is vegan.
