Popcorn itself is a great high fiber and fairly low carb 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 ingredients come with there own set of possible health problems.
Air poppers are one way to make healthier popcorn but they are made of plastic and can still release chemicals that aren’t very safe. Plus it’s a one-use kitchen appliance and if you are short on space you may not want to store one.
One of the easiest and safest ways to make popcorn is in a stainless steel pot. It’s quick, easy, and requires no special equipment!
*This post contains affiliate links. I was not paid for this post and all thoughts are my own.*
Quick & Easy Stovetop Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1/3rd cup Popcorn Kernels
- 3 tablespoons Refined Coconut Oil (it needs to be refined to stand up to the medium high heat)
- Salt
- Optional: Butter
Directions
- Heat coconut 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.
You can also add a bit of sugar for a kettle corn favor. Garlic and other seasonings are also fun. Play around with it and find your favorite favors.
What do you like to eat on your popcorn? I like butter most of the time but also like a little sugar sometimes.
Linked up with Tasty Tuesday.
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. 🙂
You are welcome! I have been meaning to try nutritional yeast on it, I have some. I’ll have to try it soon!
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 🙂
Coconut oil is my oil of choice. It’s so healthy, I use it in everything! ha
I never thought of all the chemicals in my popcorn bag. I’ll have to try your recipe. Sounds delicious
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! 🙂
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!
Let me know what you think if you try it. It’s so nice to not have an extra appliance taking up space.
I love doing popcorn on the stove! My favorite addition is nutritional yeast!
I really need to try nutritional yeast!
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.
I’ve heard that about the paper bag. I don’t have a microwave but sounds like another great option.
We are popcorn fiends in this house!
Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays link up. Hope to see you back next week.
Thanks for hosting and hope you enjoy the recipe!
Yay! 😀 This is how I make my favorite regular popcorn recipe! :] Popcorn is such an awesome snack!
It is! And you can have a lot for not many calories, assuming you don’t use butter or at least not too much. 🙂
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! 🙂
My husband would love that. I’m allergic to mushrooms so I can’t have it. 🙁
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!
Interesting! It’s so common here.
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!)
Oh wow, thanks! I will be sure to check it out.