Author: How do you pop your own popcorn? Learn how to make this easy stovetop popcorn recipe the old-fashioned way and skip the microwave and air popper! We take popcorn making very seriously in my household.
For many years, I lived my life as a science teacher. One of my favorite units of study was the scientific method. Stay with me, this is popcorn related!
In teaching the scientific method, I would purchase popcorn kernels galore! Then students would count out the kernels and test which popcorn had the highest pop rate out of three different brands.
We’d spend time graphing our data, and we really learned a TON about the scientific method. More importantly, I was able to eat limitless popcorn for a few days straight. It made going back to school after summer break much more tolerable.
Unfortunately, I always had too many air poppers hooked up and running in my classroom at the same time. We were upstairs, and this lesson came during the final heat wave of summer. Not only was it steamy hot in my classroom, but I always managed to blow a fuse.
Which would be fine, but they stuck a poor lady in a closet next to my room, and called it her office. It was a closet. When I’d blow a fuse, she’d of course lose all her electricity in her closet, too.
I did try buying a used air popper once from a fellow coworker, but it swiftly caught fire after the first use, and I decided stovetop was best. Nowadays, I stick to strictly popping my popcorn stovetop.
Easy Stovetop Popcorn Recipe
Through the years, I’ve learned there is superior kernels to others. There are also superior methods to cooking it. Learn how to make popcorn on the stove, and you’ll never make it any other way again!
Victoria has specifically tested a ton of organic brand popcorn, from heirloom to the standard. Without a doubt, the best one on the market is Arrowhead Mills brand organic popcorn. None of the competition tastes quite as good.
Here’s a fun tidbit: Did you know that movie theaters traditionally popped their popcorn in coconut oil, until they decided that vegetable oil was cheaper? So this recipe for stovetop popcorn is going to give you a wonderful traditional taste without using the microwave or vegetable oil. Winning!
And with the coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and pink sea salt combination – it’s a classic movie popcorn experience, without the guilt!
STEP ONE
Melt oil in large heavy bottom soup pan at medium heat. You might be wondering how much oil do you use to pop popcorn? About 1/4 cup of oil per 1/2 cup of kernels should work well.
I like to use my my 8-quart Calphalon soup pot. It does a great job, and I thoroughly enjoy the tink, tink, tink sound made from the kernels hitting the side of the pan.
STEP TWO
Place 4 or 5 kernels in the pan until they pop. Crack the lid atop the pan so the kernels don’t pop out.
STEP THREE
Remove the popped kernels when all of them are popped. You don’t want to leave them in or they might get burnt!
STEP FOUR
Add the 1/2 cup of kernels, swirl to an even layer, place the lid ajar on top, and return to heat. Please don’t forget the lid before placing on the heat. I ashamedly admit I’ve done this.
Not pretty!
STEP FIVE
Wait…
Stay by the stove. It’ll only be a moment.
STEP SIX
When popping is done remove the popcorn from the heat, and pour the melted butter over the top. Salt to taste. Fully place the lid back on and toss the mix for a bit. You will want hot-pad gloves for this.
STEP SEVEN
Place in bowls and serve. Smile and enjoy!
StoveTop Popcorn FAQ
If you’re new to making popcorn on the stove, you might have a few questions! Here are the answers to our frequently received questions!
Can you pop microwave popcorn on the stove? Yes, just open the bag and use the kernels as indicated in the recipe. This is a great way to use up the last of your microwave popcorn until you buy kernels for stovetop popcorn.
How much oil do you use to pop popcorn?
While it might be tempting to try and use little to no oil, without an air popper popcorn maker, it’s tough to do without burning the kernels.
So, go ahead and use about a 1/4 cup of oil per 1/2 cup of kernels.
Don’t use too much oil, as the popcorn might fry after being popped. Instead, add extra butter or oil after the popping process is completed.
TRY THESE RECIPES: For more healthy snacks, try these 24 Budget Friendly Healthy Snacks. Also try these Homemade Buttery Caramels, because salty pairs well with sweet!
Easy Stovetop Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/2 cup butter (we like to use grass-fed)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (we like to use pink salt)
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil in a large heavy bottom soup pan at medium heat.
- Place about 5 kernels in the pan until they pop. Crack the lid atop the pan so the kernels don't escape.
- Remove the popped kernels when all of them are popped.
- Add the 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels then swirl until they are in an even layer. Place the lid ajar on top again, and return to medium heat.
- Wait. Stay at the stovetop. Your kernels will quickly pop.
- When the kernels are done popping remove the popcorn from the heat. Pour the melted butter atop the popcorn and salt to taste. Fully place the lid back on the pan and toss the mix for awhile. Make sure you wear hot-pad gloves for this.
- Place the popcorn in bowls and serve.
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I’ve been making it this way for several years. It’s delicious made with coconut oil and butter !
So glad to hear that Becky! We love it too!!
Delicious every time!!
Yay! Thank you!