Stovetop Popcorn

Learn how to quickly and easily make homemade popcorn with this Stovetop Popcorn Recipe.

Whether you are looking for a healthy snack for yourself, your kids, or your family game night, popcorn makes a perfect snack.

Homemade Popcorn that is!

Popcorn gets a bad rap for being super high in sodium and fat, but popcorn kernels themselves are high in fiber, naturally gluten-free, 100% whole grain, and low in fat.

Using this easy method for stovetop popcorn delivers all the benefits that popcorn has to offer and the taste you crave, without the abundance of salt and butter.

Notes on Ingredients and Equipment Needed

• Oil: I strongly suggest using coconut oil for making stovetop popcorn, as it has a high smoking point and it tastes like what you purchase at movie theaters. You can replace the coconut oil with canola oil, but never use olive oil to make stovetop popcorn, as the flavor of the oil is much too overpowering for the delicate flavor of the popcorn.
• Popcorn Kernels: Use yellow or white popcorn kernels for this recipe. As for what brand of popcorn kernels are best, I do have an opinion. 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 at least 10 times per brand of each popcorn. 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.
• Salt: The best salt to use for homemade popcorn is table salt, super-fine salt, or salt labeled Popcorn Salt. The finer the salt, the better it will stick to the popcorn. Do not use kosher salt to season your popcorn.
• Pan: Stainless steel pans work best for popping popcorn on the stovetop, and I recommend avoiding nonstick pans when making popcorn. Use a heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan with a well-fitting lid or a metal popcorn pan.

How to Make Stovetop Popcorn

• To make popcorn on the stovetop, place 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the bottom of a heavy 6-quart saucepan, or a
• Add 2-3 kernels of popcorn and cover the pan with a lid. Turn the heat to medium-high and listen for a kernel to pop. Once a single kernel pops, you will know the oil has heated to the right temperature.
• Remove the lid from the pan, and pour in enough popcorn kernels to cover the bottom of the pan in a single layer. This should be about ½ cup of popcorn kernels.
• Return the lid to the pan and every 30 seconds, pick up the pan using potholders to shake up the popcorn kernels. I strongly recommend picking up the pan to shake, so you don't scratch up your stove--especially crucial on an electric stovetop.
• Once you hear the kernels slow in popping, remove the pan from heat and remove the lid. It is essential to remove the lid immediately from the pan so that the condensation that has formed from the heat will not drip down into the pan, making your popcorn soggy.
• Season the popped popcorn with salt and serve immediately for best results.

Seasoning Options

The options for how you season your homemade popcorn are endless. You can keep it simple by just finishing with salt, or you can opt to get a bit more creative with your popcorn seasonings.

• Cinnamon Sugar: Combine 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and sprinkle over the popcorn after it has popped.
• Parmesan: Grate parmesan cheese over freshly popped popcorn. While you can use parmesan from a canister, grating a wedge of Parmesan directly over your freshly popped popcorn will yield an insanely delicious snack.
• Taco Seasoning: Add 2 teaspoons of homemade taco seasoning to the popped corn.
• Italian Seasoning: Add 1 ½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon table salt to the popcorn and toss together before serving.
• Chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips to the popcorn after popping, and watch the chocolate melt into the popcorn, leaving you with a sweet and salty snack.

More Wholesome Snack Recipes

• Homemade Granola Bars
• Homemade Cheese Crackers
• PB Oat Bars
• Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

If you gave this stovetop popcorn a try, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.