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!
My daughter has a few favorite food items – chewing gum, Hot Cheetos, and popcorn. And currently she can’t have any of them because…braces. It’s pretty much torture for her.
We love popcorn and I make it almost every night. Well, I used to make it almost every night. But since I’m not cruel, we’re sort of on hiatus. So it’s torture for me, as well!
I’m old school, though, using a pot and my stove.
Using this stovetop method, 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.
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. I’m such a rebel.
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. And I’ve recently heard that olive oil actually works great too, but I haven’t tried that yet.
Why not just make bagged microwave popcorn?
Well, you certainly can! I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. Lol. 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.)
Popcorn is such a great snack. Haley and I are both counting the days when we can devour an entire bowl together again. But you don’t need to wait.
So go grab yourself some kernels and make up a batch!
Other snacks we love!
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!
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!
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