When it comes to easy snacks, some of our other favorites are Puppy Chow (aka Chex Mix Muddy Buddies), Easy Refried Bean Dip, and a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball. There is something nostalgic and special about popcorn that I think fills many of us with memories. For me, it’s the memory of eating fresh, hot popcorn at the family table with a homemade orange julius for family game night. For others maybe it’s stringing popcorn onto a garland to decorate a tree (does anybody do that anymore?) or using it to make popcorn balls. My kids love sitting up with a big bowl of freshly popped stovetop popcorn and munching on it while we play games or watch a movie or just sit around the kitchen table and talk about how their days went at school before heading off to gymnastics or piano or ice skating lessons. My parents always made air-popped popcorn when I was growing up. But since I always feel like I don’t have space in my kitchen for a popcorn popper anyway and Paul and I didn’t happen to get one when we got married, I just learned how to make popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stovetop. Turns out it was a good thing, because I actually like stovetop popcorn best! I personally prefer stovetop popcorn to other options because I think it tastes significantly better than air-popped popcorn or microwave popcorn. But I know a lot of people like it because they pay more attention to the chemicals and other things that are involved in microwave popcorn. Plus, it’s way more fun to make stovetop popcorn anyway, especially if you happen to have a large pot with a glass lid so you can see all the action happening as the popcorn kernels begin to explode! This is how to make stovetop popcorn in under than 10 minutes. It’s not exactly science, but these tips for making stovetop popcorn will help you achieve perfect results every time! Eat it just as it is, add some popcorn seasonings at the end, or use it to make homemade caramel corn for a special treat!
How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
Some of the Best Popcorn Seasonings
Melted butter: Is there anything more classic than buttery popcorn?Olive oil and salt: Drizzle a little olive oil over the hot stovetop popcorn, tossing to coat evenly, and season with salt. You can even add some cracked black pepper for a bolder flavor with a little bit of a bite.Kettle corn: This one is trickier to do on the stovetop but you add about ¼ cup sugar at the same time as the kernels, then sprinkle with salt after the popcorn has popped and spread the kernels on a baking sheet to dry and cool a bit before eating. Just watch the pot carefully so the sugar doesn’t burn.Cinnamon honey: Whisk 2 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 tablespoon of honey and ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, then drizzle over the popped popcorn, tossing to coat evenly.Chili brown sugar: Mix ½ teaspoon of chili powder with 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl, then sprinkle it over freshly popped hot popcorn drizzled with a little melted butter or olive oil.Ranch seasoning: Make your own homemade ranch seasoning mix or just use part of a package of the powdered ranch dressing mix you can get at the store.
For even more homemade popcorn seasoning ideas, check out these posts from Live Eat Learn and Neighborfood Blog.
More Fun Snacking Ideas
Layered Rainbow JelloBaked Greek Feta FriesGrilled Mexican Street Corn DipEasy Marshmallow Popcorn BallsPhilly Cheesesteak DipJalapeno Popper Dip with BaconSheet Pan Ultimate NachosHomemade Soft Pretzels with Mustard Cheese Dip
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