This cooking method for Stovetop Popcorn is so easy, results in nearly every kernel popping and nothing burns, leaving you with a nice big bowl of beautiful popcorn!
5 STAR REVIEW
We absolutely love popcorn and I make it almost every night – it’s such a great snack. I’m old school, though, using a pot and my stove.
Using this stovetop method for making popcorn, the kernels reach an even temperature before popping, so almost every kernel pops at the same time and nothing burns, resulting in very little waste and perfect popcorn that tastes crisp and wonderful.
We love it just plain with a little salt, but it’s also great for making old fashioned Popcorn Balls and Caramel Corn. So go grab yourself some kernels and make up a batch!
Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable or coconut oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (yellow or white)
- Salt , to taste
Instructions
- Pour the oil into a large heavy bottom pot (with lid.) The oil should cover the bottom of the pot.
- Warm the oil over medium-high heat.
- Place 3 kernels in the oil, in the center of the pot; wait for the kernels to pop.
- Once the kernels pop, remove them with a slotted spoon and discard, then add the 1/2 cup kernels, making sure they’re in an even layer.
- Cover the pot and remove from the heat. Count to 30.
- Return pot to the heat. (The popcorn will soon begin popping, and all at once.)
- Once the popping is more intense, gently shake the pot back and forth over the burner, leaving a slight opening for steam to escape (which results in crispier popcorn.)
- Once the popping settles down in between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and immediately pour the popcorn into a big bowl.
- Sprinkle the hot popcorn with a little salt to taste (and drizzle with melted butter, if using) and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Other Notes
What’s the difference between yellow and white popcorn?
I always laugh at this question, and since I’m snarky, usually answer with “well, one is yellow and one is white.” HA. But there actually is a difference, albeit small. Literally. The “hull” that surrounds a white kernel isn’t as thick as yellow kernels, so they pop up quite a bit smaller and more tender. Yellow kernels have a sturdier flake and don’t crumble as easily. Sometimes I’ll combine the two and pop them together.
What is the best oil to use for stovetop popcorn?
It’s important to use an oil with a pretty high smoke point for perfect stovetop popcorn, which both vegetable and canola oil have. I, personally, always use vegetable oil. Coconut oil will get you more of that movie theatre flavor and works well. Olive oil works great too, which makes this snack even healthier.
Why not just make bagged microwave popcorn?
Well, you certainly can! But homemade is so easy to make, inexpensive, it’s actually healthier, and it tastes so much better! (For reference, 1 regular sized bag of Microwave popcorn yields approximately 4.5 cups of popped popcorn. This recipe yields approximately 14 cups.)
Is popcorn healthy?
Air-popped or stovetop popcorn with just a bit of oil and lightly seasoned is very healthy. For this stovetop popcorn recipe, 1 cup of popped popcorn is only 56 calories and 4 carbs.
Proper Storage
Store any leftover homemade popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks. The more airtight, the better. You can even cover the top of the popcorn with a piece of cling wrap before placing the lid on, which can lock in some moisture.
More Easy Snacks:
- Ranch Oyster Crackers
- Cinnamon Toast
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Baked Beet Chips
- Hot Buttered Cheerios
- Almond Joy Snack Bites
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
This is the perfect popcorn recipe! I followed it to a T and didn’t have any soggy or burnt kernels! Thank you!
Can I make this on a glass top stove or will shaking the pot be a problem on it?
Hi Rick – I don’t think the type of stove top matters, as long as the heat source is hot enough and regulated. But obviously be very careful, I wouldn’t want your glass to scratch or crack.
This recipe is so easy to do and the result is delicious.
Perfect popcorn! Thank you. Topped this with melted butter, salt and a little olive oil.
Just made it this way with truffle oil on medium high heat. Followed instructions to the T and it came out delicious ?
Great recipe and perfect results, everytime!
Best popcorn method ever – this is how I’ll make it from now on.
I love stovetop popcorn better than any other kind, but it doesn’t always come out right for me. Thank you so much for this recipe. It came out perfect this time. Bless you!
I used this recipe many years ago but for whatever reason stopped eating popcorn. I’ve been wanting fresh popcorn, but I couldn’t remember how I used to make it. I recently started buying microwave popcorn but none were very good. I was so happy when I found this recipe. It is the best popcorn ever!! Perfect every time and the seasoning tips are good. Thank you!
Absolute perfection, not a single kernel left unpopped. Color me happy!
This was the absolute best batch of popcorn I’ve ever made! I was so skeptical, but maybe 1 unpopped kernel and the popcorn was so tender. 10/10 method, thank you!
Perfect instructions. There were only 3 or 4 unpopped kernels.
Was shopping at Bianca’s liquidation store and found a bag of popcorn kernels. I’ve never made stovetop popcorn but found this recipe and decided to give it a try. Followed the directions and got the best popcorn!
I followed the instructions exactly and got me the best popcorn I ever made !
Very straightforward instructions, accessible ingredients (that i already have in my home), and tasty results! It’s definitely something I’ll be making more often now. Those store-bought bags have no place in my pantry anymore thanks to this!
Best recipe I’ve tried yet!
Turned out perfectly! None burnt and pretty much none left unpopped, just like you said. Super quick and easy too. I like to make my popcorn with hazelnut oil.
So delicious and easy. Not sure I could ever go back to microwave popcorn.
Fluffy and crunchy and delicious!
This the first time of getting it right. my kids absolutely loved it. I sprinkled powdered milk and sugar. Thank you so much
Thank you so much! I bought a large bag of mushroom popcorn and needed a solid, reliable way to make it. My husband and I decided to try this recipe. We used a large stockpot and coconut oil. It came out perfectly, and full mushroom pops. I’m so thrilled! It was light, crispy, and delish!
Perfect directions for making popcorn without a microwave!
Perfect! Timing instructions and tips made for a perfect homemade popcorn. Thanks!!
This was awesome!!! My grandsons could net get enough, and it works fast, I used coconut oil. Also no burnt popcorns, they all popped perfect, taste great. Thank you!!!
Regards
Neale
Perfect popcorn, indeed! Not one single kernel left unpopped!
My first time making popcorn at home minus when I was little girl with the aluminum foil tray with the stainless steel handle. I used 4 Tbsp veg oil and 1/4 c. Yellow corn kernels every kernel popped! I’ll make again and share recipe with my young adult children.
Thank you! This was so easy to follow and the family ate it up.
I made this today and it turned out great! I didn’t add any butter but I added lemon pepper, onion powder, and salt. So good!
Good recipe, we use bacon grease. Season with Penzys garlic salt.
Best popcorn I have ever made, bar none. It’s that 30 second rest that does it!!
I see now that I’ve lived my whole life believing the lie that for good home made popcorn, I need to own a massive, single purpose grease machine.
But this stove top popcorn was incredibly easy with very few kernel casualties.
Side note: I’d liken the texture to that of store bought pre-popped corn (like that white cheddar Smartpop). The whole batch came out with big bootys which are the kind of kernels I pick out to eat first. I will not be looking back to the popcorns of yesteryear.
I’ve never made stove top popcorn and it turned out amazing the first time! This recipe is so easy to follow, it makes a lot of popcorn so keep that in mind!
It was also the first time I attempted to make popcorn. I am glad I found this recipe before any other because it came out perfect!
I rarely comment on recipes but this is terrific!! I’ve been making stovetop popcorn the same way for YEARS and I always hated how chewy it came out. This is easy, delicious and crispy! This is definitely the way I’m making it forever and teaching my kids how to do it haha! Thank you!!!
This is a great recipe and flawless
Not one single kernel left unpopped. Perfect recipe, thanks for sharing.
DEFINITELY tastes like movie popcorn, and it stays crispy for a couple days!
IVE NEVER GOT POPCORN TO POP?! But this worked so easily and popcorn is so fluffy ahh
Thank you for this recipe… Trust me I have tried many and this is the best!! Big fluffy popcorn!! This popcorn loving family is very grateful and happy!
Haven’t actually tried the recipe yet but of all that I’ve searched and read about online, this one looks best. Thanks so much for sharing!!
not a single bad review and that’s not a surprise!
100% popped rate
No burnt marks on my pot too!
Great technique!
I love this recipe so easy and simple. it worked perfect thankyou so much !!!!
Down to a science. Follow every step — f’ing perfect. Added salt butter, some thyme and a dash of sugar. Amazing. Fat kid would give up cake for this.
Turned out perfect!! Every single kernel popped for my first time ever after trying this recipe. Thank you!
Hunted around for another recipe after my first failed attempt at making stovetop. Coconut oil was a great suggestion and it came out perfect. Butter, salt, a pinch of brown sugar, paprika and nutritional yeast are my perfect toppings.
This was PERFECT!!! Not one kernel remaining. Thank you for an awesome recipe.
Literally Perfect , every time.
Amazing way to cook, really brings back my love for popcorn. My air popper is retired. With melted margarine and rough koshers salt… Mwah (kiss noise) perfect
Made my husband some tonight, I haven’t done this since 92-93 and boy was it good. Can’t wait to make more. Thanks for the helpful perfect reminder how to make it.
Stovetop is the only way to go. Growing up we had a local farmer that sold us massive bags of popcorn he grew. Just vegetable oil and Morton popcorn salt.
I introduced my wife to stovetop popcorn and she’s hooked. My daughter is now old enough to eat it also and loves it. I moved away from vegetable oil and actually really like the Orville Redenbacher flavored vegetable oil now or the Amish popcorn oils. Flavacol salt is also used, that or Morton popcorn salt. I’ve also done lemon pepper.
I do recommend Amish popcorn company though, they have really good products.
Perfect popcorn!
Thank you so much for this recipe. From now on, THIS is how we make popcorn.
Easy directions for perfect popcorn!
Perfect popcorn indeed :)
Perfect popcorn!!
This is my first time ever reviewing a random online recipe that I found while starving and desperate (often my M.O.) and I am submitting this review because it is so simple to say: Amy does not lie. For the first time in my life I had NOT ONE SINGLE UNPOPPED KERNEL OR BURNED KERNEL. I was so pleasantly surprised because I was using very, very old old purple colonial heirloom popcorn from a local farmer, not yellow or white as she suggests. I figured I would have stragglers as usual. I used coconut oil and followed the steps exactly. The popcorn started popping during the “off the heat” 30 second count. Based on her instructions I’m not sure that’s expected, but it was probably because the coconut oil was solid when I put it in and I gave time for it to melt. It got very smoky as i pulling out the “test kernels.” I noticed in the directions Amy says to “pour” the oil, so I hope that was OK. Obviously it was as it worked perfectly. Thank you Amy!
Hi Natalie! I’m so thrilled it worked out for you…and now I need to find purple popcorn!
I’m not an expert popcorn stove top popper. Honestly, this is a recent hobby I was forced into by my family entirely. Don’t understand why, it was horrible. I was burning half of it every time. This is my first successful attempt. Thank you. It was a simple guide.
Wonderful! I fried some sliced jalapenos (which came whole in a can) in the oil before adding the kernels. Turned out fantastic if you like a little heat to your popcorn! Thank you for the recipe.
This game out perfect! The whole family said it was the best popcorn in their life! Thanks for sharing!
I used olive oil and a little sea salt. Perfect!
It turned out perfect first and second try yum yum yum
Yummy added some Rosemary and it was great
My husband made the best popcorn ever using bacon drippings!!Yummy!
It’s amazing! awesome..thanks
Alice Waeltz: My Dad always made it with bacon drippings and that’s how I’ve always made it for my family.
If you try it just once this way you’ll NEVER go back to oil. So much good flavor!!! -Alice M.
The knowledge gives by you is not only helpful for me but also for all humans. thank you very much.
We don’t own a microwave so bagged popcorn is never an option in this household. Even when we had a microwave I’ve always chosen the stovetop method. It tastes SO MUCH BETTER!!!!
This is the only way I make popcorn! Especially kettle corn. Once the popcorn had been added and begins popping, add some granulated sugar and keep shaking so it doesn’t burn! Delicious!
Love homemade popcorn and never buy microwave popcorn because of the additives.
I’ll try your method next time around.
Popcorn has been our family’s Sunday night dinner for 3 generations!
Stovetop for sure.
I have used olive oil for year and it’s the best!
Caution: it needs to be carefully monitored
Yummmm