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How to Pop and Top Popcorn the Old Fashioned Way
4.8 from 24 votes

How to Pop and Top Popcorn the Old Fashioned Way

Learn how to make popcorn the old fashioned natural way, no popper required, in a pot on the stovetop! It's simple & healthier than microwave popcorn.

Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
7 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 182 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3-4 tablespoons oil more or less as needed; choose one with a high smoke point like grapeseed, coconut or peanut oil
  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels or more if you like
  • large pot with a lid
Optional Topping Ingredients (choose one or combine toppings)
  • 1/8 cup butter melted
  • salt sea salt
  • black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/8 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/8 cup chocolate melted
  • 2 teaspoons Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast vegan, sorta kinda cheese flavored topping
  • smoked paprika or other spices to taste
  • cumin
  • chili powder

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. You’ll want to use enough oil to just cover the bottom of the pan, so adjust the amount according to the size of your pot. At this point, if you want to spice up your popcorn, you can also add some spices to the oil-- that way they will evenly coat the kernels as they pop! Other toppings should be reserved for later, including melted butter which can burn due to its low smoke point.You can test your oil by tossing in a few kernels and covering the pot. Once they pop, you’ll know your oil is hot enough to add in the rest.
  2. Add the rest of the popcorn in an even layer across the bottom of your pot.
  3. Remove the pot from the heat for 20 seconds to allow all of the kernels to come to the same temperature. Once 20 seconds have passed, return the pot to the heat and cover. Once the kernels are really popping, carefully move the pot back and forth across the burner to keep the kernels inside moving, so they don't burn.
  4. When the popping slows down and there are long pauses between pops, remove the popcorn from the heat and immediately transfer to a large bowl. If you leave it in the pot, it will burn.Toss with topping of your choice and serve while still hot.

Notes

  • Serving Size, Nutrition: 1/4 cup of kernels equals roughly 8 cups of popped popcorn. Nutrition calculated using the butter topping option, 2 cups of popcorn per serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories 182kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 15mg (5%) Sodium 51mg (2%) Potassium 28mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Vitamin A 175IU (4%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 182

% Daily Value*

Calories 182kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 51mg 2%
Potassium 28mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Vitamin A 175IU 4%
Iron 0.3mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.