Homemade Stovetop Popcorn is simple and delicious, especially when made with coconut oil. Check out this healthier version of your favorite late-night movie snack and see why you need some now!
This low calorie high protein snack is one that the whole family can enjoy eating and making! Cooking popcorn on the stove is always a fun family experience. We love gathering around, listening to the pops and watching our kernels grow into a mound of delicious savory goodness. Read on for how to make stovetop popcorn that we truly cannot get enough of it!
A Healthier Crunch
I have always loved popcorn, and up until a couple of years ago, I always made the microwave variety. Then I started hearing all kinds of things about how unhealthy microwave popcorn is, and I decided to find a different way to make this popular snack. My method is very simple and produces perfect popcorn every single time. This version is so much better than microwave popcorn, give it a try and see for yourself.
Why You’ll Love this easy stovetop popcorn recipe
- It’s life-changing. Okay, maybe not exactly. But, once you know how to make popcorn on the stove, you may never want to go back to any other method again. It’s simple, affordable, and perfect for making larger batches at once.
- Minimal ingredients. You only need coconut oil and popcorn kernels to pop this popcorn on the stove, but you can add any toppings you want, including salt, pepper, butter, cheese, etc.
- The coconut flavor is subtle. Coconut flavor goes great with many things, and popcorn is no exception. The flavor left behind by the oil, though, is so minimal it’s almost undetectable. The popcorn itself just tastes fresher as a result.
Stovetop Popcorn Ingredients
Coconut oil: You will need about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to heat the kernels in. You can use a little more or less, it doesn’t have to be exact.
Popcorn kernels: Use ½ cup of popcorn kernels and get several cups of popped popcorn. The Orville Redenbacher’s kind works the best, and I love that I can get a big container at Costco. But you can use whatever brand you prefer or have on hand.
Toppings (optional): You can add butter and salt to taste, or any other toppings you may prefer.
How to Make Homemade Stovetop Popcorn
Prep
Start by placing the coconut oil in a large stockpot (mine is 12 quarts and works perfectly). Then, put about 5 kernels in the oil and heat over medium-high heat (with the lid on) until the kernels start to pop.
Cook
At this point, add the rest of the kernels, put the lid back on the pot and wait until all of the kernels start to pop.
While the kernels are popping, I usually give the pan a good shake every 30-45 seconds until there is more than 3-4 seconds between pops. Once this happens the popcorn is ready.
Serve
Proceed to remove the popcorn from the heat and transfer it into a large bowl.
For some added taste, add a little salt. If you want extra yummy popcorn, melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the popcorn before adding the salt, it is sooooo good.
Serve and enjoy!
HOMEMADE STOVETOP POPCORN (made with coconut oil)
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil you can use a little less or a little more – it doesn’t have to be exact
- ½ cup popcorn kernels Orville Redenbacher’s works the best!
- butter and salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Start by placing the coconut oil in a large stockpot (mine is 12 quarts and works perfectly).Then, put about 5 kernels in the oil and heat over medium-high heat (with the lid on) until the kernels start to pop.
- Cook: At this point, add the rest of the kernels, put the lid back on the pot and wait until all of the kernels start to pop. While the kernels are popping, I usually give the pan a good shake every 30-45 seconds until there is more than 3-4 seconds between pops. Once this happens the popcorn is ready.
- Serve: Proceed to remove the popcorn from the heat and transfer it into a large bowl. For some added taste, add a little salt. If you want extra yummy popcorn, melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the popcorn before adding the salt, it is sooooo good. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Does stovetop popcorn need oil?
Having some kind of oil in the pot with the kernels helps to prevent the kernels from burning and helps to deliver a nice flavor to the popcorn as it pops too. Coconut oil helps to give you more of a movie theater style popcorn.
Do you add salt before or after popping popcorn?
You can do either! I like to add the salt to the freshly popped popcorn because I can toss it around and really get it into every piece, but many people add a little salt to the oil while the kernels are cooking. Try it both ways and see which one you prefer. Remember, you can always add a little more salt if needed.
How long does popcorn take to pop on the stove?
Believe it or not, it actually doesn’t take much longer than using the microwave. One bag of microwave popcorn gives you 4 cups of popped popcorn in about 2 minutes, but this stovetop popcorn recipe can give you over twice that much popcorn in just 3-4 minutes!
Love popcorn? Here are some other popcorn recipes to try!
- Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn Cake
- Better than Caramel Popcorn
- Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Pretty in Pink Popcorn
- Chocolate Popcorn
- Peppermint Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn
- Game Day Popcorn Mix
- Halloween Popcorn Mix
- Snickers Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Easy Microwave Caramel Popcorn
Homemade Stovetop Popcorn is easy to make and so delicious, especially when made with coconut oil. Give this healthier version of your favorite late-night snack a try today!
Nancy C says
I always use Amish popcorn. I get it at our local apple orchard but I also have purchased it at a Amish grocery store. It is so nice and crisp when popped.
Leslie Schmidt says
I’m kind of old, so this is the way we did it when I was young. One difference, though, is that we used a covered skillet. I’m not sure why; we may not have had a stock pot. And, of course, we didn’t have coconut oil.
Janet Williams says
This is my go to recipe. Every time I make popcorn I search for your recipe. Thanks!!