Homemade Popcorn is EASY to make at home. This method for stovetop popcorn, makes the BEST Homemade Popcorn!
Healthy Homemade Popcorn
Are you looking for a healthy and easy snack for your kids after school?
A snack you can whip up in a matter of minutes and feel good eating?
Are you about to sit down for a family movie? About to catch up on your favorite shows on DVR?
POPCORN is the perfect snack for each one of those occasions!!!!
Popcorn is a great go-to snack for so many reasons.
- Making popcorn at home is EASY.
- Popcorn is whole grain
- Popcorn satisfies your craving for something salty or crunch
- You can eat a large serving of homemade popcorn for very few calories
- Popcorn is also high in fiber.
When prepared on the stove, making popcorn at home is truly healthy and easy!! There are no nasty chemicals here or abundance of unnecessary salt, just real food that tastes more amazing than any bag you buy to pop into the microwave.
How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- To make popcorn on the stovetop, place 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the bottom of a heavy 6 QT saucepan, or a metal popcorn pan.
- Add 2-3 kernels of popcorn and cover the pan with a lid.
- Once you hear a kernel pop, pour about ½ cup of kernels into the pan (enough to just cover the bottom of the pan.)
- Cover the pan and every 30 seconds, pick up the pan to shake up the popcorn kernels.
- I strongly recommend picking up the pan to shake, so you don't scratch up your stove.
- Once you hear the kernels stop popping, remove from heat and remove the lid.
- Salt with 1 teaspoon of salt, or to your liking.
What Oil is Best to use for Homemade Popcorn?
I strongly suggest using coconut oil for making stovetop popcorn.
- Coconut oil has a high smoking point and it tastes like what you purchase at movie theaters and gives you the added health benefits of fatty acids.
- Feel free to use canola oil if desired.
- NEVER use olive oil--the flavor of the oil is much too overpowering for the delicate flavor of the popcorn.
Which Popcorn Kernels are best for Homemade Popcorn?
My son once did a science fair project on which popcorn kernels are best. We tested every brand of popcorn we could get our hands on and at least 10 times per brand of each popcorn.
We ate A LOT of popcorn.
The verdict was clear.
- Orville Redenbacher Kernels pop up the fluffiest and leave the fewest unpopped kernels.
- However, if you consider the price per ounce, Wal-Mart store brand kernels were best. They left behind more kernels than Orville, but there was a cost-saving at the end of the day.
What salt is best for homemade popcorn?
The finer the salt, the better it will stick to your popcorn and flavor your popcorn evenly.
I love kosher salt, but you should NOT use kosher salt or sea salt for that matter to season your popcorn.
The best salt to use for homemade popcorn is good old table salt or a super-fine salt. You can even find salt labeled Popcorn Salt.
Notes on Homemade Stove Top Popcorn
- Season this popcorn as desired. I find that the salt and oil are perfect, but you can add in grated cheese, Italian seasoning, etc.
- Stainless steel pans work best for popping popcorn on the stovetop. Avoid nonstick pans.
More DIY Recipes
- Homemade Drumstick Ice Cream Cones
- Homemade Chicken Stock
- Naturally Sweetened Homemade Applesauce
- DIY Taco Seasoning
- Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Homemade Stovetop Popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or canola oil
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
Instructions
- To make popcorn on the stovetop, place 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the bottom of a heavy 6 quart saucepan, or a metal popcorn pan.
- Add 2-3 kernels of popcorn and cover the pan with a lid. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and shake occassionally.
- Once you hear a kernel pop, pour about ½ cup of kernels into the pan (enough to just cover the bottom of the pan.)
- Cover the pan and every 30 seconds, pick up the pan to shake up the popcorn kernels. I strongly recommend picking up the pan to shake, so you don't scratch up your stove.
- Once you hear the kernels stop popping, remove from heat and remove the lid.
- Salt with 1 teaspoon of salt, or to your liking.
NGM
I ALWAYS use olive oil. Olive oil tastes great and enhances the flavor of pop corn for me.
Tara
We love making homemade popcorn! We make it in my Dutch oven.
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I love using my dutch oven as well--it fits more popcorn as well!!
Joanie
You just can't beat homemade popcorn - wonderful! Thank you for the tips.
Danielle
We used to have an air popper, but we couldn't figure out how to get it to taste good. Adding melted butter made it soggy, and i either had too much or too little salt. Also, I've never heard of an oil mister, but I'm definitely going to try these and hopefully make them part of our weekly snacks. Any suggestions for making it taste like white cheddar?
Kristen Chidsey
Hey Danielle! Yes an air mist will help so much! As for white cheddar--they sell white cheddar powder, that is an option. But Alton Brown has a great method: https://altonbrown.com/triple-cheese-popcorn-recipe/