How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

This stovetop popcorn is ready in less than 15 minutes and can easily be made in bulk and stored for later. This page has all of the answers for how to make popcorn.

Alex and I are popcorn fanatics. My favorite way to end an evening is with a bowl of popcorn and an episode of whatever we are currently binging on Netflix. Okay, and maybe a locally brewed beer as well. Instead of popping for the microwaveable stuff, stovetop popcorn is the way to go for us – sometimes it’s better to just go back to the way things used to be! This recipe uses no chemicals and less salt than the store-bought stuff, but tastes so much better. Keep reading for how to make popcorn!

Related: Herb Popcorn

Stovetop popcorn ingredients

The ingredients for homemade stovetop popcorn are super basic, though you can dress it up however you’d like. For this recipe, you’ll need:

• Yellow popcorn kernels
• Vegetable oil (you can also use coconut oil)
• Popcorn salt or finely ground salt (we make our own by grinding down kosher salt in a mortar and pestle until it’s light and powdery)

That’s it! In terms of equipment, you’ll also need a large saucepan with a lid. We’ve found it’s easiest to have a dedicated saucepan for the job, so we don’t have to worry about trying to keep it too clean. Ours has little drain holes in the lid that works perfectly for letting the steam out, which is crucial for making it fluffy.

Related: Chocolate Chip Popcorn Cookies

How to make popcorn

Making stovetop popcorn is surprisingly easy, and it’s done in less than 15 minutes. How to make popcorn? To start, you’ll need to heat a few tablespoons of vegetable or coconut oil in a tall pot. Add a few kernels to the oil; you’ll know the oil is hot enough to cook the rest of the popcorn once those few kernels pop. Add in the rest of the kernels and the salt.

Give the pot a little shake to evenly distribute the oil, and then wait for the magic to happen! It’ll likely take a few minutes for the kernels to begin popping, but once they do make sure to stay by the stove. If the lid on your pot doesn’t have ventilation holes, tilt the lid to allow the steam to escape. If you trap the steam in the pot, your stovetop popcorn will be soft and sad-tasting. Once the popping slows to a stop, remove the popcorn from the heat, add toppings of your choice, and dig in!

What’s the best oil for popcorn?

When making stovetop popcorn, it’s important to use an oil with a fairly high smoke point. For this recipe, we typically use canola or vegetable oil, since both have high smoke points. But for a more authentic movie theater flavor, you should use coconut oil. You only need 2 tablespoons of oil per half cup of kernels, so this popcorn won’t taste greasy!

Our favorite popcorn toppings

• Olive oil and kosher salt: A drizzle of good olive oil goes a long way on this stovetop popcorn. Add a sprinkle of finely ground kosher salt if desired, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper for a savory snack.
• Butter and cinnamon: Melted butter is a classic topping, but a dash of cinnamon takes it to the next level. Add less butter than you think you’ll need, because it’s easy to add too much!
• Toasted coconut flakes & dark chocolate: A drizzle of dark chocolate and a handful of coconut flakes is arguably one of the best ways to enjoy this stovetop popcorn. Add the chocolate just before serving so it’s still melted when you dig in.
• Nutritional yeast: This cheesy vegan topping makes for delightful savory popcorn.

How to store popcorn

Stovetop popcorn is best enjoyed fresh, as leftovers go stale quite quickly. To store your homemade popcorn, seal it in a baggie or an air-tight container and pop it into the freezer. I know it sounds a little strange, freezing helps it to stay fresh for a long time. And because popcorn never fully freezes, you don’t have to worry about thawing it out.

We like to make a big batch of popcorn and store it unseasoned in the freezer for when a snack craving hits. Then, we let it sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes before eating it. However, I’ve eaten it straight from the freezer before and it’s also great that way.

Looking for more healthy snack recipes?

Outside of this stovetop popcorn, here are a few more of our favorite healthy snack recipes:

• Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Dots
• Superfood Pecan Energy Bars
• Herb Butter Popcorn
• Honey Sesame Almonds
• Spiced Crispy Chickpeas
• Easy Mango Salsa & Homemade Tortilla Chips

Looking for more healthy corn recipes?

Of course, so much more can be made with corn than just this fluffy, movie-watching snack! Here are some of our favorite recipes made with corn:

• Black Bean and Corn Salsa Fresca
• Spicy Tahini Corn on the Cob
• Roasted Poblano and Corn Pizzas
• Homemade Corn Tortillas
• Grilled Mexican Corn with Mayo
• Homemade Calzone with Poblanos & Corn
• Potato Corn Chowder
• Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Corn Salsa
• Summer Quinoa Salad with Corn
• How to Roast Corn on the Grill

This recipe is…

Vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, vegetarian, and gluten-free.

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