With summer cooling off and drive-in movie season coming up, it's time to bust out your favorite indoor snacking recipes. What's a better way to celebrate the start of fall than with a tasty bowl of popcorn? While you may be accustomed to making pre-made bags of popcorn or purchasing it at the theaters, this guide is going to show you just how easy it is to whip up a huge bowl of popcorn right on the stove.
Something about home-cooked popcorn hits differently. Aside from its incredible taste, here are a few other reasons we love homemade popcorn.
It Can Save You Money
Buying pre-popped or pre-flavored popcorn in a bag is often much more expensive than making popcorn at home. Because a little popcorn goes a long way, you'll be surprised at how long your bag of popcorn kernels lasts.
It’s Customizable
Making popcorn at home means that you get to choose what goes into it. Craving something light and flavorful? Try adding herbs to your popcorn. Or, turn your popcorn into a delicious dessert by mixing it with sweet ingredients like chocolate and peanut butter. There really are so many different sweet and savory popcorn flavors to try. When making homemade popcorn, the flavor combinations are endless.
It’s Better for You
Aside from creating flavor, choosing the ingredients to add to your popcorn will ensure that your popcorn recipe stays wholesome and healthy. Many store-bought bags of popcorn contain preservatives and additives that can negatively impact your health. Say goodbye to those unwanted extras, and use fresh, wholesome ingredients to create a healthy snack.
It’s Easy to Pack On-the-Go
The nutrition benefits of popcorn are plentiful. Popcorn is chock-full of beneficial ingredients that make for a great on-the-go snack. Place your home-cooked popcorn into single-serving baggies to take with you to work. Or sneak them into your kid's lunch boxes for a surprising treat.
How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
Wondering how to cook popcorn kernels on the stove? Follow these next steps.
What you'll need:
Popcorn
First things first, you'll want to purchase popcorn kernels. At Bob's Red Mill, we're a huge fan of both White Popcorn and Yellow Popcorn. Don’t know which type of popcorn to choose? While they differ in texture slightly, you can’t go wrong with either!
Oil
Next, you'll want to get some oil. While a variety of oils are used to make popcorn, we recommend using olive oil. Aside from being high in healthy fats, olive oil is loaded with nutritional benefits and an easy way to add a boost of nutrition to your popcorn recipe.
For a more tropical taste, swap the olive oil out for coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in healthy fats and has a fruity flavor that will have you feeling like you're on a tropical vacation.
Salt
Lastly, you'll want to season your popcorn with a touch of salt. This will help boost your popcorn's flavor and turn it into a nice treat you and your family are bound to enjoy.
Cooking Vessel
To make the perfect popcorn, you'll want to start with a cooking vessel that has a lid large enough for the popcorn to grow. While the popcorn kernels start small, they'll increase substantially and need space to do so. Keeping a lid on your cooking vessel while the popcorn is cooking will keep the kernels from popping out and bouncing around the kitchen. Besides having enough space, you'll also need to choose a pot that offers good heat conductivity. We recommend choosing a sturdy stockpot or a large Dutch oven.
Making the Popcorn
Step 1:
To begin cooking your popcorn on the stovetop, start by grabbing your oil. While the amount of oil will vary, depending on the number of kernels you use, you'll want enough oil to coat the pan and help produce the steam that will eventually help your kernels pop. Without moisture, your popcorn kernels will remain kernels forever.
Step 2:
Next, place your oiled pan over medium heat and begin to add in the popcorn kernels. Upon adding them, stir the seeds to ensure that they are coated with oil. Once the kernels are fully coated, continue stirring occasionally until they begin to sizzle.
Step 3:
After the sizzling has started, you'll want to place the lid on the pan. Within just a minute or so, you'll start to hear popping noises. Once the kernels have been popping for a minute or two, with the lid closed, begin shaking the pot. This will work to make sure your popcorn receives enough heat to pop. Let the popping continue.
Step 4:
When the popping noises have slowed down, it's time to turn off the heat. Slightly open the lid to release the steam. This will prevent your popcorn from getting soggy.
Step 5:
Once all of the steam has been released, pour the popcorn into a large bowl and drizzle it with a bit more olive oil. Adding more olive oil while your popcorn is still hot will help it coat the kernels better.
Step 6:
After your popcorn is coated with olive oil, it's time to add on your toppings. Salt, Nutritional Yeast, spices, cheese and even candy can be added to your popcorn to boost its flavor profile by tenfold. Remember, you'll want to add the oil first, or else your toppings won't have anything to stick to.
By following this simple, step-by-step guide on making stovetop popcorn, you'll likely find yourself making popcorn regularly. When topped with healthy ingredients, popcorn is a whole grain treat that can be pretty great for you!
Popcorn Recipes
Searching for a recipe to get your stovetop popcorn making journey started? Scroll through a few of our favorites below.
For a Cheesy Snack Make: Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
Sometimes you crave a little bit of cheese. The next time you're sitting at home, craving a cheesy snack, don't reach for the block of cheese. Make cheesy stovetop popcorn instead! Though it may sound strange at first, we're confident that after just one bite, you'll be hooked.
This savory, delicious and extra crispy Cheddar Cheese Popcorn is the perfect snack to satisfy your savory cravings. Made in just minutes, simply pop the popcorn on the stovetop, and sprinkle it with cheddar cheese powder and salt! Kid-approved, it's easy to eat on the go - just make sure you pack hand wipes with you as well!
For a Sweet Dessert Make: Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
Searching for an easy-to-whip-up dessert? You've found it! Contrary to what you may think, popcorn can be a delicious way to satisfy your sugar cravings with just a few simple tweaks. Simple-to-cook, popcorn is a whole grain food that's packed with healthy nutrients. It's subtle flavor and agreeable texture makes it easy to pair with sweet ingredients like honey, cinnamon and even chocolate.
To make a tasty bowl of dessert popcorn at home, make a batch of this Cinnamon Bun Popcorn. We've combined two of our favorite things in this recipe, cinnamon rolls with warm, fluffy popcorn. The perfect sweet dish to serve up at your next movie night, it's a dessert that both kids and adults will enjoy. Plus, it's loaded with nutritional benefits. Our Vanilla Protein Powder Nutritional Booster is used for an added boost of protein and fiber that takes this popcorn to the next level. Pair with our white or yellow popcorn and cook on the stovetop to perfection.
For a Protein Packed Snack Make: Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn
Searching for more ways to add protein to your diet? Though it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, popcorn is a tasty way to sneak protein into your daily snacks. Not only is popcorn a good source of fiber, but it also contains protein. By working protein powder into your list of ingredients, you can create mouthwatering popcorn that's jam-packed with enough protein to help you power through some of the most challenging workouts.
For a quick pre/post-workout treat, make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn. Made with Bob's Red Mill Chocolate Protein Powder Nutritional Booster, it's a healthy snack loaded with flavor. Our powder's sweet-chocolatey taste is combined with peanut butter for a melt in your mouth flavor that will leave your taste buds celebrating.
For a Light Treat: Herb and Ollie Olive Oil Popcorn
We've covered everything from cheesy to chocolatey popcorn. And while these recipes are delicious, they don't exactly provide that "light" popcorn flavor that some of us crave. For a genuinely light treat, with a hint of French taste, make this Herb and Ollie Olive Oil Popcorn. A flavorful blend of four wholesome ingredients: White Popcorn, olive oil, Herbes de Provence and salt, it's the perfect snack to whip up when you feel like munching on something healthy.
And there you have it, a complete guide on how to cook popcorn on the stove like a pro. By following the simple steps and popcorn seasonings listed in this guide, you can quickly turn an everyday snack into a satisfying treat. Go on, you deserve it!
