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Easy Homemade Popcorn (Stovetop & Microwave Directions)

Jessica Fisher · August 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Greet your kids afterschool with a healthy snack! Today Mandi Ehman, the author of Easy Homemade, shares two easy ways to make popcorn — in a paper bag and on the stovetop.

jar of popcorn

Popcorn is one of my very favorite snacks, but the microwave stuff just isn’t that great for you…or your wallet, especially when you have a family of 6 or more!

For a while, I used the handy dandy paper bag trick to make my own microwave popcorn. Have you seen this? It’s so cool…and easy as pie:

Take 1/3 cup popcorn kernels and dump them in a regular paper lunch bag. Fold the top over several times, creasing it with your nails or adding a piece of tape to hold it closed.

Place it in the microwave and hit the “popcorn” button (which is usually 2-3 minutes, in case yours doesn’t have one) and then listen for the telltale pops. When the popping slows down, open the microwave (even if the time hasn’t run out). Let it cool slightly then season with melted butter and salt and you’re set!

A little girl holding a bowl of popcorn

Even though that’s pretty much as easy as it gets, our family really prefers stovetop popcorn these days, and it’s surprisingly easy as well:

Stovetop Popcorn

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons oil (our family likes sunflower or coconut oil)
  • 1/3-1/2 cup popcorn
  • sea salt to taste

Directions:

Add oil to a large pot and drop in 3-4 kernels. Set burner to medium high (I set mine to “6”). Cover with a lid and wait for the initial kernels to pop.

After they pop, add the remaining kernels and re-cover the pot.

When the kernels start popping, begin shaking the pot from side to side, keeping it close to the burner.

Continue shaking the pot until the popping slows. Immediately transfer the popcorn to a bowl.

Salt to taste.

Variations:

  • After transferring the popcorn to a bowl, immediately melt butter in the pot and then drizzle it over the popcorn.
  • Sprinkle popcorn with parmesan cheese
  • For savory popcorn, sprinkle with spice blends or dried herbs
  • For sweet popcorn, sprinkle with cinnamon and/or brown sugar

Yield: 3-4 quarts

Shelf Life: 1-2 days in a tightly sealed container

A perfect afternoon snack for the whole family!

cover of Easy Homemade cookbook

Discover more than 60 recipes for homemade kitchen staples like these in Easy Homemade, which is available for your Kindle.

Click here to get your copy today.

— Mandi Ehman lives in wild, wonderful West Virginia with her husband of eighteen years and four beautiful, teen girls and two spunky little boys. 

What is your favorite afterschool snack?

Filed Under: Appetizers, Recipe, Snacks

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