If you have never made homemade popcorn before then you are in for a real treat. Homemade popcorn is actually very easy to make and is so much better than microwave or store bought. This homemade popcorn is delicious, crunchy and it makes your kitchen smell so good!
Stovetop Popcorn
I really love that no fancy equipment is needed. You don’t need an air popper, electric popper or even a microwave. All you need is a basic stove and a heavy bottomed pot!
Popcorn is also a very cheap snack! Out of all the yummy, salty, savory and crunchy treats out there, natural popcorn is one of the most affordable and delicious.
Homemade popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. When I was little my dad would make a giant pot of this popcorn and my family would sit around and play board games or watch tv together. When I was a little bit older he taught me how to make it myself.
Good for You Too
Popcorn is actually a very healthy snack. Popcorn is high in fiber and is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and other health problems. It is low in calories and helps you feel full longer. It also contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been linked to better blood circulation and digestive health and may lower the risk of certain cancers.
In addition it is a whole grain. The Healthy Plate Standards say that half of all grains consumed should be in the form of whole grain. This is good news because a serving of popcorn has more fiber than a serving of whole grain bread!
Avoid “Bad” Popcorn
Movie theater popcorn, while greasy, salty and delicious is loaded with fat and sodium. Can you believe that a tub of movie theater popcorn contains up to 1,090 calories and 2,650 milligrams of sodium?
And have you ever seen what is inside a microwave popcorn packet? I’m not even sure what this is. A number of chemicals may also grace these little packets. One such chemical, diacetyl, has been linked to a disease which causes shortness of breath and wheezing. In addition, microwaves are unhealthy in general and should be avoided.
Better Snacking
Making this simple homemade popcorn allows you to control the ingredients. You can use a small amount of healthy olive oil or coconut oil and only add as much salt as you want. Making it yourself also allows you to keep it chemical free!
This recipe makes about 4 servings with only about 150 calories and 8 grams of fat in each. You can’t go wrong with this crunchy savory healthy snack.
Personal Size
It is very easy to scale down the serving size for just one or two. For a single serving use 2 Tablespoons of popcorn and ½ a tablespoon of butter/coconut oil and ½ a tablespoon of olive oil. For two just, double that. I have been known to pop a single serve batch of homemade popcorn for lunch. Healthy? Yes! Indulgent? Definitely!
Where to Buy Popcorn Kernels
You should be able to find popcorn in the grocery next to the microwave popcorn. Any brand will do but my favorite is Orville Redenbacher’s because it actually does pop up bigger and fluffier than others.
Homemade Popcorn
To make homemade popcorn simply add your butter and oil to a 3 quart or larger sized pot. Place it over medium heat. Make sure that your stove is not too high, the oils can easily overheat which will make it smoke.
Melt the butter and add the oil. Then add about 3 popcorn kernels.
Place the lid on the pot and wait for the kernels to start popping, about 3-5 minutes. This will indicate when the pot is hot enough to add the rest of the kernels.
Add the rest of your popcorn and close the lid.
Lift the pot off the stove top and inch or two and shake your pot for a few seconds then return to the heat. Every 30 seconds to 1 minute or so repeat the lifting and shaking. As you hear you the popcorn pop faster, shake the pot more often.
When the popping slows to one to two pops every few seconds remove the lid and transfer popcorn to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with a little salt and enjoy.
Optional, drizzle with an extra tablespoon of melted butter.
Tip: If your popcorn looks like it is getting too hot and smoking a little bit then simple pull the pot off the heat for a minute to let it cool down.
Homemade Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tb. Butter or coconut oil
- 1 ½ Tb. Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Popcorn Kernels
- Salt to tast
Instructions
- Add the butter and oil to a 3 quart or larger sized pot. Place over medium heat. Make sure that your stove is not too high, the oils can easily overheat which will make it smoke.
- Melt the butter and add the oil. Then add about 3 popcorn kernels.
- Place the lid on the pot and wait for the kernels to start popping, about 3-5 minutes. This will indicate when the pot is hot enough to add the rest of the kernels.
- Add the rest of the popcorn and close the lid.
- Lift the pot off the stove top and inch or two and shake for a few seconds then return to the heat. Every 30 seconds to 1 minute or so repeat the lifting and shaking. As you hear you the popcorn pop faster, shake the pot more often.
- When the popping slows to one to two pops every few seconds remove the lid and transfer popcorn to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with a little salt and enjoy.
Notes
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