Learn how to make stovetop popcorn with just a few ingredients. It’s a frugal way to make a delicious snack for your at home movie nights within minutes!
Popcorn itself is a great high fiber snack. And it’s also a cheap snack. The problem with popcorn comes from the extra ingredients added and in the case of microwave popcorn the bag itself.
A lot of bagged popcorn has perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the same ingredient found on many non-stick pans. It has been linked to liver, pancreatic, and liver cancer in animals. The chemicals may also be linked to infertility in women.
Microwave popcorn also often contains things like partially hydrogenated oils, artificial favor, and artificial color. All of these things can be fine in moderation but if you prefer to avoid them making your own stovetop popcorn is an easy way to do that.
Popcorn kernels are also very cheap so making your own is extremely frugal. Sure bagged popcorn is still a pretty affordable snack but making stovetop popcorn will save you even more money.
How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
Making popcorn on the stove is so simple! It’s only a few steps and a few simple ingredients. Follow these simple directions or scroll down for the written recipe.
Heat oil on medium high heat. You want an oil with a fairly high smoke point. I like refined coconut oil or grapeseed oil. You only need about 3 tablespoons so use what you have on hand if you have something.
While the oil is heating up place three popcorn kernels in the pot. Once the three kernels have popped you know the oil is ready. At this point you can add the rest of your kernels.
I like to shake the pot every once in a while and open the lid slightly to release some of the steam. You will know when it’s ready when the popping has slowed to a couple of seconds between pops.
It will keep popping for a bit so be careful when you open the lid. I usually end up with a few stray pieces of popcorn going flying.
Now is the fun part! Add what every you’d like to your popcorn. You can go classic with butter and salt or maybe make some garlic parmesan popcorn or a sweet treat with some white chocolate peppermint popcorn.
Must-Have Popcorn Supplies
These are some of the items I like to have on hand for making stovetop popcorn. I also like to order popcorn kernels and oil from Thrive Market. It’s a great alternative to Amazon.
Stovetop Popcorn Recipe
A delicious and easy way to make popcorn at home. Use for any type of popcorn or just add a little salt for a simple snack.
Ingredients
- 1/3rd cup popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoons oil
- salt
Instructions
- Heat oil on medium high heat. After the oil has melted, place three kernels in the pot. When all three pop the oil is ready.
- Add the rest of the kernels.
- Shake often and slightly open the lid every once in awhile to release the steam.
- Once popping has slowed to a couple of seconds between pops, remove from heat.
- At this point add salt and anything else you want on your popcorn.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 42Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Amy says
I never thought about the plastic in the air popper being an issue. Duh Amy. 😛 I may well go back to popping on the stove in the future. Thanks for sharing this.
I like butter, coconut oil, salt and nutritional yeast on my popcorn. 🙂
Lisa Sharp says
You are welcome! I have been meaning to try nutritional yeast on it, I have some. I’ll have to try it soon!
Lindsay says
Popcorn is my favorite snack! I make it all the time, and on the stove. BUT I’ve always used Canola Oil, I will try refined coconut oil next time, great idea 🙂
Lisa Sharp says
Coconut oil is my oil of choice. It’s so healthy, I use it in everything! ha
Samatha Square says
I never thought of all the chemicals in my popcorn bag. I’ll have to try your recipe. Sounds delicious
Lisa Sharp says
Yeah it’s kind of scary to think about it. I hope you like the recipe, let me know what you think when you try it out! 🙂
diane says
I have been slowly making the switch to more natural popcorn options. I like my air popper since the teens can do it themselves but I agree, it is a one use item that takes up a lot of space. I may have to give this a shot!
Lisa Sharp says
Let me know what you think if you try it. It’s so nice to not have an extra appliance taking up space.
Micaela @MindfulMomma says
I love doing popcorn on the stove! My favorite addition is nutritional yeast!
Lisa Sharp says
I really need to try nutritional yeast!
Diane MacEachern says
I never thought about popping my corn in coconut oil. I’ll have to try that. I also put corn kernels in a brown paper bag, roll up the top of the bag, and put it in the microwave just like commercial microwave popcorn. It works really well, as long as you don’t microwave for too long.
Lisa Sharp says
I’ve heard that about the paper bag. I don’t have a microwave but sounds like another great option.
Audrey says
We are popcorn fiends in this house!
Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays link up. Hope to see you back next week.
Lisa Sharp says
Thanks for hosting and hope you enjoy the recipe!
Farrah says
Yay! 😀 This is how I make my favorite regular popcorn recipe! :] Popcorn is such an awesome snack!
Lisa Sharp says
It is! And you can have a lot for not many calories, assuming you don’t use butter or at least not too much. 🙂
Annmarie says
Love stove top popcorn! We make it a lot at home much of the same way and just add different flavors- our favorite is truffle salt! 🙂
Lisa Sharp says
My husband would love that. I’m allergic to mushrooms so I can’t have it. 🙁
Rachel G says
This is our family’s favorite snack! In our country, microwave popcorn isn’t even sold–or if it is, only in very few places and at a high cost–so those are additional reasons to stick to the stove!
Lisa Sharp says
Interesting! It’s so common here.
Brittany says
Such a simple thing that makes such a delicious treat! Thanks for sharing at Get Your Shine On Link Party last week. I chose your article to be one of our features this week! So make sure to come back this Thursday and see! Thanks again for coming to our party!!! (I also pinned this to our group Pinterest board!)
Lisa Sharp says
Oh wow, thanks! I will be sure to check it out.