How to Make Great Stovetop Popcorn

Consumer Reports

Ever dreamed of ditching the microwave bag and making fresh, fluffly stovetop popcorn?

It's surprisingly easy to pop up some stovetop popcorn, and this whole grain can also be a healthy snack, coming in at just 133 calories per cup when lightly buttered.

On National Popcorn Day on January 19 (or on the day of the Super Bowl, if you prefer), try making it sweet, salty, cheesy, or something a little more unusual with our easy stovetop popcorn recipe.

Stovetop Popcorn

You will need

  • A 3- or 4-quart pan with lid

  • Popcorn kernels

  • ⅓ cup of oil for every 1 cup of kernels

  • Salt or other seasonings of your choice (try any of these: cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg; cumin; dry taco seasoning mix; garlic salt; lemon pepper; oregano; Parmesan cheese; or thyme)

Directions

  1. Heat the oil to 400° to 460° F.

  2. Test the oil by tossing in a few kernels.

  3. When they pop, add the rest of the popcorn. Use enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan—about one kernel deep.

  4. Cover the pan and shake it to evenly coat the kernels in oil.

  5. When the popping slows down to about 2 to 3 seconds apart, remove the pan from the stovetop. The heated oil will still pop the remaining kernels.

  6. Salt and/or season your stovetop popcorn to taste. (Never presalt the kernels because the salt toughens popcorn.)



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