Stovetop popcorn used to be all the rage and now we are bringing it back with this super simple homemade popcorn recipe! So if a microwave is not available to you, you can still have delicious popcorn to snack on in under 10 minutes!
Irresistible stovetop popcorn you’ll want to make every night of the week!
Popcorn is the classic snack while watching movies. This recipe is simple to make yet will make you feel like you’re in the movie theater!
With 3 basic ingredients, anyone can make this recipe. It’s a fun treat to make for families, date night, or a solo night in.
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❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
It’s a Healthy Snack! Popcorn is high in fiber and is a whole grain.
It’s Versatile! We use salt but we all know there are limitless toppings for popcorn. Let your imagination run wild!
Super Easy! The pan and stovetop do all the work. All you have to do is add the ingredients, toss, and wait for the pop!
🥘 Ingredients
I love to make stovetop popcorn since it only requires 3 ingredients I almost always have on hand. 2 are pantry staples for most households and the kernels are easy to find in the local grocery store.
- ¼ cup Popcorn Kernels – Measure out your popcorn kernels to be popped in a measuring cup.
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil – Vegetable oil is a staple oil in many recipes and a pantry favorite.
- ¼ teaspoon Salt – Salt is an ingredient in almost every dish. I prefer sea salt to table salt, however, either will taste great.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
📖 Variations
There truly are many different flavor profiles you can add to popcorn. Whether it’s gourmet popcorn or good ol’ fashioned movie theatre butter you prefer, here are a few options to inspire you:
Butter – Naturally this is the most common and favorite among popcorn eaters. Melt some butter, pour over the top, and enjoy!
Peanut Butter & Honey – If you are a peanut butter lover then this one is for you. The peanut butter and honey mix with the popcorn for a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat.
Cheese – This is a kid favorite in our house. While cheddar cheese is preferred by my youngsters, I prefer white cheddar. Either way, it’s a great way to add flavor to your popcorn
Caramel - Caramel corn is a crowd-pleaser and can be found at most fairs and at our house every Christmas.
Chocolate - A drizzle of melted chocolate makes anything better. Let your popcorn sit out for 20 minutes or so after drizzling so that the chocolate re-hardens some.
Ranch – Sprinkling ranch seasoning over your popcorn is another great way to give your popcorn some delightful flavor.
🔪 Instructions
There is no special equipment needed for this quick-and-easy recipe. Simply grab a mixing bowl, aluminum foil, and a stockpot with a lid that will vent steam.
- Line the pot. Start by lining your pot with aluminum foil.
- Mix. Get your mixing bowl and add the uncooked popcorn kernels to it. Drizzle the vegetable oil and add the salt to the kernels and mix together to combine.
- Cook. Next, add your kernels to the pot, place the lid on it, and cook over medium-low heat. Make sure to shake the pot occasionally to get the unpopped kernels to the bottom of the heat source.
- Listen. As the popcorn cooks listen carefully. Once there are about 2 seconds between pops you will want to remove the pot from the heat.
- Eat. Add your favorite toppings or seasonings if desired or let cool and serve as-is.
Put on a movie or gather around for game night and enjoy this delicious snack! You can easily make multiple batches if you're expecting a crowd. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- You can use different cooking oil. While we use vegetable oil in this recipe you can use an alternative like avocado oil, coconut oil, or sunflower oil. The oil helps the salt stick so we do recommend using it.
- Follow the 2-second rule. Not every kernel pops and that’s normal. You’ll want to keep to the 2-second rule so you do not burn the popcorn.
- Use a lid that vents steam. It’s important to use a lid that vents steam but doesn’t allow for the popcorn to pop all over the place
- Be careful! If the pot starts to smoke remove it immediately and allow the pot to cool completely. You’ll want to switch out the aluminum foil and start over if this happens.
- Portion. A ¼ cup of kernels will yield about 7 cups of popcorn.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Store your popcorn in an airtight container. You can also freeze popped popcorn to keep it fresh longer. Note that it’s best to keep popped popcorn out of the refrigerator as it will add moisture and make the popcorn go stale faster.
Reheating Stovetop Popcorn
To liven up stored or thawed popcorn, reheat in the oven at 250° for about 5 minutes.
🍿 More Easy Snacks!
- Air Fryer Frozen Jalapeno Poppers
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
- 2 Ingredient BBQ Lil Smokies
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Cajun Fries
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📖 Recipe Card
Stovetop Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- To start, line a large pot (that has a lid) with foil. Place the uncooked popcorn kernels in a medium bowl. Drizzle them with oil and sprinkle with salt, toss to combine. Add the coated kernels to your prepared pot.
- Place the pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Replace the lid (*see note). Shake the pot occasionally in order to get the unpopped kernels down to the bottom of the pot where the heat source is.
- Listen closely, when there is 2 seconds between pops remove the pot from heat. Toss with butter if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a lid that vents steam but will also keep the corn from going all over the place.
- The oil isn't essential but it greatly improves the taste of the popcorn and helps the salt stick to the kernels.
- Not every single kernel will pop, and that is normal. Follow the 2-second rule, do not attempt to keep cooking or the already popped popcorn will burn.
- Be extremely careful if your pot starts to smoke. If this happens, always leave the lid on and remove the pot from heat (in case of an oil fire).
- If your oil does start to smoke, you will want to allow the pot and oil to cool completely. Switch out the aluminum foil and start over with freshly coated popcorn kernels.
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels typically yields about 7 cups popped popcorn.
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