Skip the microwave popcorn and learn how to pop popcorn on the stovetop! It’s easy, tasty, crunchy, and the perfect snack for you and your friends on movie night.
Step away from the microwave. Stovetop popcorn is way better!
Sure, microwave popcorn may be somewhat convenient, but making it on the stove is SO much better! That’s why I think you should learn how to make popcorn on the stove and push the microwaveable bags aside. All you need are some kernels, oil, and a pot with a lid!
There are two reasons why I want to show you how to pop popcorn on the stove:
- It’s fun and easy.
- And it’s a great way to make happy memories. My grandma used to pop popcorn for me all the time as a kid!
The best part about making popcorn on the stove is that you’re completely in control. Everything from the ingredients, quality of butter, and toppings are all up to you. This means that your already crispy, crunchy, and tasty stovetop popcorn will be completely customized for your tastebuds!
After a quick 5-minute pop on the stove, your popcorn is ready to eat. Serve a big bowl for friends along with some baked goat cheese balls and white wine sangria. Talk about the best movie night ever!
Stovetop popcorn ingredients
You’re in control here so try to use the best quality ingredients you can. The better the quality, the tastier the popcorn! Here’s what you need:
High smoke point oil
The oil you use matters! Definitely use something with a high smoke point, like canola oil, grapeseed oil, or peanut oil.
Popcorn kernels
The quality of your kernels makes such a difference in the final outcome of the recipe. The fresher, the better. Bob’s Red Mill corn kernels are my top choice.
Salt
A little flaky salt goes a long way! Top the popcorn with flaky sea salt while it’s still warm to fill each bite with flavor. If you want to go a step further, keep scrolling to browse through even more popcorn seasonings.
Popcorn topping ideas
Whether you go the traditional route and top your popcorn with some salt and clarified butter or get more creative, the topping options are practically endless! Use any of the ideas below for inspiration:
Butter
There has to be some butter! The best butter you can use on top of popcorn is clarified butter. This will give you a topping that tastes just like the butter-flavored oil that movie theaters use. You can even make it months ahead of time and use it whenever you’re craving freshly popped stovetop popcorn!
While you certainly can melt regular butter when you’re in a rush to eat your popcorn, the finished result will have a high water content and is likely to taste burnt. Not only will this affect the flavor, but can leave you with super soggy popcorn!
Savory toppings
There are so many savory popcorn toppings available just in your spice rack alone. Salt and pepper are classic choices or you can go all out with a few more seasonings, like:
- Nutritional yeast
- Smoked paprika
- Dried dill
- Furikake
- Za’atar
- Chili powder
- Taco seasoning
- Parmesan cheese
- Red chili flakes
Sweet toppings
Turn your everyday popcorn recipe into a sweet treat with these sweet and simple toppings:
- Cinnamon sugar
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate chips and pretzels
- Candy
- Cookie crumbles
- Marshmallows
Frequently asked questions
According to Cooking Light, it can! You can make oil free popcorn by replacing the cooking oil with water and leaving the butter topping off when it’s finished.
You can, but you must use clarified butter or ghee. Melting regular butter in the pot will burn the milk solids before the popcorn is done cooking.
You can cook microwave popcorn on the stove with a few slight adjustments to the recipe:
1. Reduce the amount of oil to 1 tablespoon.
2. Use 3 kernels from the bag of microwaveable popcorn to still do the heat test.
3. Make sure to pour all of the corn kernels and butter flavoring out of the bag and into the pot. Use a spoon to get it all out!
This can happen when the lid on the pot is completely covering the top. This creates steam, AKA moisture, in the pot which will “soak” the popcorn. Be sure to leave the lid ajar so the steam can escape!
Learn How to Pop Popcorn on the Stovetop Easily!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or other high smoke point oil
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
- Flake Salt or other seasoning to taste
Instructions
- Pour the oil into a large sauce pot and place 3 kernels into the pot. Set to medium-high heat.
- When the kernels pop, remove the pot from the heat and discard (or eat!) the popped kernels. Add the rest of the kernels, place the lid on the pot and shake it to coat the kernels in the hot oil.
- Wait for 30 seconds so the kernels evenly heat up. Return to medium-high heat with the lid ajar.
- Cook, shaking the pot often, until the popping of the kernels slows down, about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, keeping the lid ajar, until the popping stops.
- Season your popcorn while warm and eat by the handfuls!
Amy says
Now I understand what I've been doing wrong all these years! I didn't know I should remove the pot from the stove and add the popcorn to the hot oil, then wait 30 seconds before returning the pot to the stove. It totally makes sense. This method is perfect. I topped mine with garlic salt and nutritional yeast. YUM!
Michelle Ferrand says
I am so glad this helped and your topping choices sound great!
Elbert Jones says
Have you ever tried using bacon grease to make popcorn? It tastes wonderful. I also like to sprinkle powdered garlic on popcorn.
Michelle Ferrand says
YUM! I haven't tried it, but it sounds great! Thanks for the tip!