How to Make Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
Jump to Recipe
One of the best snacks to munch on is without a doubt popcorn. Learn how to make perfect stovetop popcorn with just four ingredients; popcorn kernels, coconut oil, butter and sea salt. Makes for a much healthier popcorn and the best snack.
How to Make Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
When it comes to snacking one of the top foods is popcorn. Who doesn’t like popcorn? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t. Not only is it a healthy and tasty snack, it’s also pretty fun to make.
Adding your favorite toppings to your freshly made popcorn can be fun too. Toppings also will take your popcorn to a whole other level. You can go savory, sweet, spicy, etc. No matter how you like your popcorn we can all agree there’s no movie night without it.
I love making big snack platters for us whenever we have movie night. It’s just a great way to make movie night even more fun and brings us together as a family. No matter what snacks I add to our platter, popcorn is always one of them.
Ingredients needed to make Perfect Stovetop Popcorn:
- Organic Popcorn Kernels– Use organic if you can as corn crops in the US are highly sprayed with harmful chemicals.
- Coconut Oil– You can also use avocado oil.
- Pink Sea Salt– For added flavor.
- Butter– Use unsalted butter then adjust salt to your preference.
Equipment needed to make Perfect Stovetop Popcorn:
- Heavy Bottomed Pot– To make sure heat is evenly disturbed and stovetop popcorn doesn’t get burnt.
- Large Mixing Bowl– To serve stovetop popcorn in and toss with any preferred toppings.
How to make Perfect Stovetop Popcorn:
- Step 1– Place a large pot on stovetop and add coconut oil into it. Turn heat to medium-high and melt coconut oil. Once coconut oil has melted, throw a couple of kernels into the heating oil. Once both kernels pop, throw in the rest of them and cover pot with fitted lid.
- Step 2– Allow all kernels to pop. Once popping noise decreases and is less frequent, turn heat off and remove pot from stovetop. Keep closed until you don’t hear anymore popping noises and all kernels have popped.
- Step 3– Melt butter in microwave and pour over popcorn and sprinkle with pink sea salt. Place lid back on pot making sure it’s tightly on. Give pot a good shake to toss popcorn making sure it’s well coated with butter and salt. Add any other desired toppings at this point and shake again to get those toppings mixed in.
- Step 4– Serve in deep bowl immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Throw a couple of kernels into the heating oil- Once both kernels pop, throw in the rest of them. This serves as an indicator that the oil is hot enough for kernels to pop.
- Turn heat off once popping noise decreases and is less frequent- This is a sign that most kernels have popped. Turn heat off and remove pot from stovetop to prevent popcorn from burning.
- Substitute for coconut oil- Use avocado oil or olive oil.
- Use vegan butter- This will make the popcorn vegan friendly.
Savory Toppings For Perfect Stovetop Popcorn:
- Melted Butter– I like using unsalted butter and then add as much salt as I’d like.
- Spices– Pink sea salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, etc.
- Hot Sauce– Tabasco, sriracha, etc.
- Pickle Juice
- Nutritional Yeast
- Parmesan Cheese
Sweet Toppings For Perfect Stovetop Popcorn:
- Melted Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Maple Syrup
- Honey
- Caramel
Cooking Oil Options:
- Olive Oil– It’s a pretty neutral oil and won’t add any flavor to your popcorn.
- Coconut Oil– It’s a great oil to use as it has a high smoking point. Use refined coconut oil since it has less of a coconut flavor.
- Avocado Oil– Also pretty neutral and has a high smoking point. This is my preferred oil to use when cooking.
Perfect Stovetop Popcorn FAQ’s:
Is stovetop popcorn healthy?
Popcorn in general is one of the healthiest snacks you can have. It’s a whole-grain packed in fiber, antioxidants, and other vitamins. What typically makes popcorn unhealthy are the toppings that are put on it. Saturating your popcorn in over processed butter can make your popcorn super unhealthy. Microwave popcorn is also one of the most harmful foods you can consume.
Microwave popcorn has been linked to series health issues. Along with trans-fats and other harmful ingredients, microwave popcorn usually has Diacetyl. This is a chemical used to give popcorn it’s buttery flavor and has been linked with causing lung disease. This is one snack we want to stay away from. Especially keeping it as far away as possible from our kids.
Why make stovetop popcorn?
It is way healthier than microwave popcorn. You only need a little bit of oil to make it. You can then add any butter, salt, or toppings you’d like and control the amount. Making stovetop popcorn is fun too. You can even make it with your kids.
What kind of popcorn kernels should I buy?
When it comes to buying popcorn kernels to make stovetop popcorn, you want to make sure they are organic. I’m not one to recommend buying everything organic but corn is a produce I highly do. Corn crops in the US are highly sprayed with harmful chemicals. Chemicals you want far away from you and your family. Look for heirloom popcorn too if possible.
Storing Perfect Stovetop Popcorn:
Keep your popcorn in an airtight container. This will help it stay fresh for up to two days after making it. Store your leftover popcorn before adding any toppings to it.
Like this Perfect Stovetop Popcorn? You may also like these other crunchy snack recipes:
- Roasted Chickpeas Four Ways
- Salt and Vinegar Kale Chips
- Nut-Free Trail Mix
- No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
How to Make Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
One of the best snacks to munch on is without a doubt popcorn. Learn how to make perfect stovetop popcorn with just four ingredients; popcorn kernels, coconut oil, butter and sea salt. Makes for a much healthier popcorn and the best snack.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp pink sea salt (more or less according to preference)
Instructions
Place a large pot on stovetop and add coconut oil into it. Turn heat to medium-high and melt coconut oil. Once coconut oil has melted, throw a couple of kernels into the heating oil. Once both kernels pop, throw in the rest of them and cover pot with fitted lid.
Allow all kernerls to pop. Once popping noise decreases and is less frequent, turn heat off and remove pot from stovetop. Keep closed until you don't hear anymore popping noises and all kernels have popped.
Melt butter in microwave and pour over popcorn and sprinkle with pink sea salt. Place lid back on pot making sure it's tightly on. Give pot a good shake to toss popcorn making sure it's well coated with butter and salt. Add any other desired toppings at this point and shake again to get those toppings mixed in.
Serve in deep bowl immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- Throw a couple of kernels into the heating oil- Once both kernels pop, throw in the rest of them. This serves as an indicator that the oil is hot enough for kernels to pop.
- Turn heat off once popping noise decreases and is less frequent- This is a sign that most kernels have popped. Turn heat off and remove pot from stovetop to prevent popcorn from burning.
- Substitute for coconut oil- Use avocado oil or olive oil.
- Use vegan butter- This will make the popcorn vegan friendly.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
2 Comments