How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

When I was child my dad would make popcorn on the stove for us and we would watch movies. I loved the smell of the fresh popcorn popping – I still do. I cant make popcorn on the stove without thinking of my dad. I hope that one day when my kids are making popcorn like I showed them they will think of me. Of course I was lucky that I had my dad to show me the art of how to make popcorn. Not just microwave popcorn, but how to make popcorn on the stove and now I want to share it with all of you!

You will be amazed at the difference in taste, and cost when you make popcorn on the stove. It is really simple, and once you get the hang out if you will be passing on the secret of popcorn popping to your friends and family! Okay so I just said it, but this is a very cheap snack to make. A bag of popcorn kernels will not cost you very much at all (at our Walmart it’s $1.88 for 32oz) and will get you a lot of big bowls of popcorn. For example in my Christmas tin, it would take roughly 8 bags of microwave popcorn to fill it (on a sale day that would still be $5+). Make popcorn on the stove, and it will do it in two pots; three if you want over flowing and snacks for the day. A cost analysis would be a great post for me to make so you can truly see the break down, but just looking at the generic pricing you can already see that there is a huge difference.

The cost is a great thing, but it is also filled with fiber so when you eat it you get full quicker. If you are on Weight Watchers you will get tickled at how many cups you can have for just a few points! It truly is a win, win situation for everyone involved.

[box type=”info” align=”alignright” ]We replaced all the chips we were eating with popcorn (except for taco chips on taco night). It saved us money on our grocery bill and was better for our health. Every step you can take no matter how big or small is a step in the right direction towards better health. It may not seem like a big deal to give up chips and replace them with popcorn or better yet replace them with cut up veggies- but it can help start you on your journey to making better choices for your health.[/box]

How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

The first thing you need to do is find a good popcorn pot. It needs to have a tight fitting lid and I have been told it helps if it is shaped like the one I have pictured here. I know the pictures don’t do it justice, but I want you to see a visual as well. The pot needs to have a smooth and flat bottom. The actual pot itself is shaped more like a mixing bowl with a smaller flat bottom. Which keeps it easy to make popcorn on the stove. I know I have had to use a standard 6 qt and 8 qt pot, but I get the best results with this pot. It really helps to keep an even heat with the smaller area, and eliminates the excess use of oil.

Next put the pot on the stove eye and turn the burner onto medium heat. (on my stove it is #5). Put your coconut oil (or whatever oil you would like to use, it just needs to be very light flavored or you will taste it) in the pot and let it start to melt. I use about 2 Tablespoons of oil when I do it.Put 3 seeds in the oil and wait. Make sure you put the lid on the pot while you are waiting. You are waiting on the oil to get hot enough to be able to pop the popcorn. Once it gets hot enough the 3 seeds will pop. It will look like the picture below.

Once the seeds have popped go ahead and pour 1/2 cup of  popcorn seeds into the pot and put the lid back on. Soon you will hear the seeds start to pop. Just keep the lid on until you don’t hear anymore popping. This is what my pot looks like when its done ( yours will look different depending on what size of pot you have.)I took a picture with the  lid off so you could see how full mine gets when it is done.

Turn off your stove eye and dump the popcorn in a big bowl. I like to sprinkle mine with a little salt and mix it up. You can flavor yours however you and your family would like. Now is the best part- eating your cheap and easy snack. This is a great vegan snack for all my vegan and vegetarian readers!

Have a wonderful day!

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How to Make Popcorn on the Stove!