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    Home » Course » Appetizer

    Perfect Popcorn

    January 16, 2023 by Laura Ashley 95 Comments

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    As most of you know, homemade popcorn is my favorite food! I will never grow tired of that sweet sound and smell of popcorn kernel’s popping and that delicious crunchy, buttery, salty goodness! Stovetop popcorn can go awry easily, but these steps will yield that perfect bucket of popcorn you’ll find yourself craving all the time!

    I heard those 4 precious words “Will You Marry Me” as I was eating a bucket of popcorn. My husband put my engagement ring box in the middle of a Carmike Theater bucket, and never has a bucket tasted so good! Let’s just say I don’t remember a single thing about the movie “Monuments of Men.” I couldn’t wait to get out of that theater and call my family!

    The night I said, “YES!!!”

    Popcorn can be made in more ways than I can count! There are different cooking methods, fat(s) and kernel sizes. I typically get on a certain kick for 3-4 months, then I change it up. Starting out 2023, I’m into a little canola or vegetable oil for the popcorn cook and topping those perfect popped kernels with real butter.

    National Popcorn Day is January 19th, but I choose to celebrate its majesty weekly…and sometimes daily! I hope you have fun celebrating too! 

    What You’ll Need

    • Fat Source(s) (Butter, Ghee, Oil: coconut, vegetable, canola, avocado, popcorn, olive)
    • Popcorn Kernels
    • Popcorn Salt

    Tools You’ll Need

    • These cooking tools will all work great:
      • Covered Stockpot
      • Whirley Pop
      • Air Popper

    How to Make this Recipe

    1. Stockpot Method:
      • Oil and Butter Method: This is my tried and true method…for the moment at least. In a 5-6qt pot on medium-high heat, pour in the oil and kernels. Shake the pan so that the kernels are equally distributed and cover with a lid with a slight crack for the steam to escape. The kernels will begin to pop in 4-5 minutes. Once there's no popping for about 2 seconds, remove from the heat, pour the popcorn in large bowl, and drizzle with butter. Sprinkle and toss with popcorn salt.
      • Popcorn Oil, Ghee and Coconut Oil Method: In a 5-6qt pot on medium-high, pour 1 tablespoon popcorn oil, 5 kernels, and cover with a lid with a slight crack for steam to escape. Once the kernels pop after about 3-4 minutes, add 2 tablespoons ghee, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, and ½ cup kernels. Shake so that the kernels are equally distributed and cover with a lid, leaving a slight crack for the steam to escape. The kernels will begin to pop in 4-5 minutes. Once there's no popping for about 2 seconds, remove from the heat, pour in a large bowl, and sprinkle and toss with seasoning(s).
    2. Whirley Pop Method: This is our go-to way of making popcorn when we go camping. The fire doesn’t have to be as high on the Whirley Pop because the pan heats up much faster. On medium heat, add ¼ cup fat of choice to the pot and 5 kernels. Once those pop, pour in ½ cup kernels. Stir continuously until there’s no popping for about 2 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with butter and seasoning(s) as desired.
    3. Air Popper Method: I make this version for my dog Butter. Ironically, the girl that’s named after a delicious fat sadly can’t have any fat. Pour popcorn kernels into the popping chamber of the popper. Position a bowl under the popping chute. Plug the popper in; popping will be complete within 2 to 3 minutes after popping begins. Optional: drizzle melted butter onto popcorn and toss gently. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.

    Tips and Substitutions

    • Toppings: There are lots of ways to season popcorn and add flavor:
      • Salt
      • Popcorn Salt
      • Nutritional Yeast
      • Parmesan Cheese
      • Taco Seasoning
      • Paprika
      • Black Pepper and Olive Oil
    • Season with salt carefully. Add a little, toss, then add more if needed.
    • If you get the slightest whiff of a burn smell, transfer the popcorn to a bowl immediately. Popcorn can burn quickly. While the goal is to have as little or no unpopped kernels as possible, it’s better to have a few unpopped in the bowl and none be burnt.
    • Most oils will work for popping popcorn, but I lean more towards vegetable, popcorn oil or canola. Coconut, avocado oil and sunflower oil work as well. I don’t prefer the flavor or olive oil for popcorn and it’s a bit pricier, but it can work as well. Make sure the heat is on medium instead of medium-high.
    • Popcorn stores well in an air-tight container up to 4 days.

    More Recipes Like This

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    This is a picture of a bucket of popcorn.
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 14 votes

    Perfect Popcorn

    This is the perfect bucket of popcorn you’ll find yourself craving all the time! It’s fluffy crunchy, buttery, salty and delicious!
    Prep Time0 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: snack
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon oil
    • ½ cup popcorn kernel
    • Melted Butter amount as desired
    • Popcorn Salt amount as desired

    Instructions

    • In a 5-6qt pot on medium-high, pour in the oil and kernels. Shake the pan so that the kernels are equally distributed and cover with a lid, leaving the slightest crack for steam to escape. The kernels will begin to pop in 4-5 minutes. Once there's no popping for about 2 seconds, remove from the heat, pour the popcorn in large bowl, and drizzle with butter. Sprinkle and toss with popcorn salt or seasonings to taste.

    Video

    Tried this recipe?Mention @dinnerin321 or tag #dinnerin321!
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    Filed Under: Appetizer

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pamela Birkinbine

      January 16, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      Popcorn!!

      Reply
      • Linda Sanchez

        January 17, 2023 at 10:25 pm

        POPCORN!🥰💖

    2. Elaine Cope

      January 16, 2023 at 5:11 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    3. Jennifer

      January 16, 2023 at 5:14 pm

      “POPCORN”

      I love homemade popcorn-and I win people over all the time who have never had it

      I would love to win this

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:19 pm

        Totally! When someone hasn’t had it, it’s love at first bite! 🙂

    4. DK

      January 16, 2023 at 5:22 pm

      I love POPCORN especially flavored with cheese!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:18 pm

        Definitely! Cheese on top is SO yummy! 🙂

    5. Michelle Janssen

      January 16, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      Popcorn 🍿

      Reply
    6. Lisa Stuart

      January 16, 2023 at 5:27 pm

      popcorn

      Reply
    7. Judy Riddell

      January 16, 2023 at 5:28 pm

      I love to pop my popcorn in bacon grease then add butter and salt and enjoy it

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:19 pm

        Oh my! I MUST try it in bacon grease! I can just imagine that being delicious!!

    8. Terrie Waddell

      January 16, 2023 at 5:30 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    9. Lydia Bouvat

      January 16, 2023 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for your popcorn recipe it was so good. Love your videos and your Mom🥰

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:18 pm

        Aww!! You’re so sweet! Thank you SO much!! 🥰

    10. Emily S

      January 16, 2023 at 5:35 pm

      5 stars
      POPCORN!

      Reply
    11. Tonya

      January 16, 2023 at 5:35 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
    12. Jamie

      January 16, 2023 at 5:36 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    13. Beth Sine

      January 16, 2023 at 5:38 pm

      Popcorn!!! 🙂

      (Cute story☺️)

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you SO much!! 🥰🍿

    14. Margie H Rucker

      January 16, 2023 at 5:39 pm

      popcorn

      Reply
    15. MaryJo Hoffman

      January 16, 2023 at 5:48 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
      • MaryJo Hoffman

        January 16, 2023 at 5:48 pm

        Popcorn

    16. Britt

      January 16, 2023 at 5:55 pm

      Can’t go wrong with popcorn it’s the perfect snack that’s a fact 💛

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:17 pm

        You’re absolutely right! Always a snack winner! 🙂

    17. Britt

      January 16, 2023 at 5:56 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    18. Angela Iery

      January 16, 2023 at 6:02 pm

      Popcorn 🍿:-)

      Reply
    19. Amy

      January 16, 2023 at 6:04 pm

      “Popcorn”

      Reply
    20. Ty Gray

      January 16, 2023 at 6:06 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    21. tonya neal

      January 16, 2023 at 6:08 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
    22. Nicole Taylor

      January 16, 2023 at 6:08 pm

      POPCORN!! Thanks for all the wonderful ways to make delicious popcorn! 😋

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:17 pm

        You’re very welcome! HAPPY POPPING!! 🙂

    23. Danielle Grant

      January 16, 2023 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      Popcorn

      Reply
    24. Sue Reyes

      January 16, 2023 at 6:16 pm

      popcorn

      Reply
    25. Jen

      January 16, 2023 at 6:21 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
    26. Brent Connell

      January 16, 2023 at 6:23 pm

      Would love to win!

      Reply
    27. Jennofer

      January 16, 2023 at 6:26 pm

      🍿 POPCORN

      Reply
      • Jennifer

        January 16, 2023 at 6:27 pm

        *Jennifer

    28. Melanie Wood

      January 16, 2023 at 6:33 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    29. LaDaughn Owens

      January 16, 2023 at 6:34 pm

      POPCORN 🍿 😍

      Reply
    30. Karen Lazarus

      January 16, 2023 at 6:45 pm

      Popcorn 🍿 🤤

      Reply
    31. Teresa B

      January 16, 2023 at 6:46 pm

      "popcorn"

      Reply
    32. Jennifer Shukri

      January 16, 2023 at 6:47 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    33. Michele Wilcut

      January 16, 2023 at 6:49 pm

      POPCORN!!! 🍿❤️🍿❤️🍿❤️🍿

      Reply
    34. Ashley Sawyer

      January 16, 2023 at 7:07 pm

      POPCORN
      (also my favorite snack 😋)

      Reply
    35. Dusty Ward

      January 16, 2023 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      POPCORN

      Reply
    36. Linda H

      January 16, 2023 at 7:12 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
    37. Cindy

      January 16, 2023 at 7:19 pm

      Hello, looking forward to trying this...yum!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:16 pm

        Awesome! I hope you love it too! 🙂

    38. Emily Rumsey

      January 16, 2023 at 7:21 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    39. Tammy Edwards

      January 16, 2023 at 7:22 pm

      “POPCORN”

      Reply
    40. Donna

      January 16, 2023 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE popcorn. We have a camp and during the summer we pop popcorn over the fire. For some reason it tastes so much better.

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:16 pm

        It totally does! I love when popping popcorn is connected to a happy moment too! 🙂

    41. Nancy

      January 16, 2023 at 7:34 pm

      "POPCORN"

      Reply
    42. Lynne Maggard

      January 16, 2023 at 7:34 pm

      Popcorn 🍿

      Reply
    43. Lorraine Shaw

      January 16, 2023 at 7:41 pm

      5 stars
      Popcorn

      Reply
    44. Cathy Zachem

      January 16, 2023 at 7:57 pm

      POPCORN!

      Reply
    45. Autumn Eaton

      January 16, 2023 at 8:02 pm

      POPCORN
      Thanks for the chance! We love popcorn and eat it almost nightly.

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:15 pm

        It’s definitely one of those snacks that will never get old! 🙂

    46. Jackie

      January 16, 2023 at 8:08 pm

      POPCORN
      Nothing better than a good bowl of popcorn. My favorite snack! Your popcorn looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:15 pm

        Thank you SO much!! It really is a snack winner every time! 🙂

    47. Phyllis Fields

      January 16, 2023 at 8:13 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    48. Susie Meredith

      January 16, 2023 at 8:24 pm

      "POPCORN"
      I find it interesting the popcorn popper popped up. Just yesterday I thought about old time popcorn on the stove. It's my absolute favorite! I want to try your recipes.

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:14 pm

        I hope you love it too, Susie! Homemade stovetop popcorn is SO yummy and holds so many special memories!

    49. DPollack

      January 16, 2023 at 8:27 pm

      Popcorn ❤️

      Reply
    50. Chasidy Vincent

      January 16, 2023 at 8:59 pm

      Popcorn!!!

      Reply
    51. Amanda

      January 16, 2023 at 9:19 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
    52. Deanna

      January 16, 2023 at 9:29 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    53. Neysa Cordial

      January 16, 2023 at 9:31 pm

      Popcorn is a favorite snack in our house!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:13 pm

        YES!! My family is on the same page as you friend! 🙂

    54. Ann Winkelman

      January 16, 2023 at 9:49 pm

      5 stars
      Popcorn

      Reply
    55. Glenna Dennis

      January 16, 2023 at 10:20 pm

      POPCORN

      Reply
    56. Cristie Kirkland

      January 16, 2023 at 10:23 pm

      not sure if this is where you leave the word Popcorn in the comments section but I'm sending it to you 😉
      thanks for the yummy popcorn recipe
      popcorn
      popcorn 🍿
      😆 🤣

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:13 pm

        LOL! You sure did do it right! I hope you LOVE the popcorn too! 🙂

    57. Ashley Walker

      January 16, 2023 at 10:37 pm

      Popcorn! (I hope I’m doing this right.😆)

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:12 pm

        LOL! You sure did!! 🙂

    58. Linda

      January 16, 2023 at 10:48 pm

      popcorn 🍿

      Reply
    59. Roxy Featherstone

      January 16, 2023 at 11:43 pm

      Popcorn

      Reply
    60. Emily D

      January 16, 2023 at 11:58 pm

      “Popcorn” 🍿

      Reply
    61. Jayna Manseau

      January 17, 2023 at 12:23 am

      Popcorn

      Reply
    62. Katie Flynn

      January 17, 2023 at 12:52 am

      Popcorn

      Reply
    63. Jane Warren

      January 17, 2023 at 1:44 am

      5 stars
      POPCORN

      Reply
    64. Deneane Robbins

      January 17, 2023 at 2:32 am

      ❤️”POPCORN “❤️🍿

      Reply
    65. Diane Akers

      January 17, 2023 at 2:55 am

      5 stars
      Popcorn.

      Reply
    66. Amanda Adams

      January 17, 2023 at 3:04 am

      popcorn

      Reply
    67. Katie Nadal

      January 17, 2023 at 3:11 am

      POPCORN

      Reply
    68. Beth

      January 17, 2023 at 3:14 am

      POPCORN

      Reply
    69. Amanda Lee

      January 17, 2023 at 4:09 am

      Ate a GIANT bowl tonight! All your recipes rock!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:12 pm

        WAHOO!! Thank you so much!! I’m so happy you like them too! 🙂

    70. Yvette Pugliese

      January 17, 2023 at 4:12 am

      POPCORN

      Reply
    71. Deb

      January 17, 2023 at 7:41 am

      5 stars
      POPCORN 🍿

      Reply
    72. Jackie Burkhart

      January 17, 2023 at 8:51 pm

      PoPcOrN

      Reply
    73. Krystle

      January 19, 2023 at 2:27 pm

      Popcorn!

      Reply
    74. Jenean McGuigan

      January 19, 2023 at 11:33 pm

      5 stars
      POPCORN

      Reply
    75. Rita Stahl

      January 22, 2023 at 12:08 am

      “POPCORN”

      I came home from the hospital after giving birth to my daughter to find the popcorn pan (5-6 qt dutch oven ‘perfectly seasoned’) scrubbed completely clean! I asked hubby, “what did you do to my popcorn pan??!?!” and he said “Mom came over to ‘help out’! We just looked at it, so sad, so sad! But it really didn’t take long to get it back to making great popcorn again, lol!
      Never had Whirly-Pop popcorn before!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 26, 2023 at 4:56 pm

        Oh my…LOL! While it was helpful, it was also a little heartbreaking. I’m glad it was back up to speed quickly too! 🙂

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    laura

    Welcome to my kitchen! I'm Laura Ashley, and I'm excited you're here! As a registered dietitian and diabetes educator, I love cooking all kinds of food and trying new restaurants. Food is my love language! Here at Dinner in 3, 2, 1, I serve up delicious and nutritious recipes you and your family will love.

    More about me →

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