Name: Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: A 4-5 quart pot with a lid; ½ cup popcorn; 2 tablespoons of oil (you can use a little more if you feel the popcorn is too dry)

Stovetop popcorn is easy to make and delicious. Once you learn this simple process for how to make the perfect stovetop popcorn, you will never eat microwave popcorn again!

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There is nothing better than sitting down to watch a movie while snacking on some fluffy, salty, buttery popcorn. When I am at home, I can’t buy a tub of popcorn. There are a couple of ways to get my popcorn at home. Some of the options are less appealing than others. Microwave popcorn just doesn't seem fresh. Buying premade popcorn gets expensive and can be stale. Air-popped popcorn is a little bland.

Ingredients for Making Perfect Stovetop Popcorn

Making your own popcorn on the stove top is really easy and tastes great. You also have total control over what goes into your popcorn. There are just a couple of simple ingredients used in making the perfect stovetop popcorn.

Popping Corn

The main ingredient is, of course, popcorn. There are several varieties of popping corn available. You may want to experiment and try a few types or just get the regular yellow popping corn. I like organic popcorn which is also non-GMO. When picking your popcorn, just be sure to get corn specifically for popping.

When you are making stovetop popcorn, the only other ingredient that you need is some kind of oil. You have some options when it comes to oils but there are a few that not only work really well for popping the corn but also add a lot of flavor.

Olive Oil

Olive oil works well and has tons of flavor. The only downside is that it can be a little greasy. Depending on the toppings you are using, this might be a good thing since toppings stick better.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is another oil that works very well for making popcorn. It is a lot like olive oil but has a different taste to it. It has a very mild flavor. Avocado oil is great for high heat cooking because it has a high smoke point.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil gives you really fluffy pops. It gives the popcorn a nice flavor too.

Ghee

My favorite oil to use for popcorn is ghee. Ghee is made by heating butter and skimming off the solids. It is lactose free, doesn’t require refrigeration and can be heated to a fairly high temperature. It has all of the flavor of butter, but you can heat it to a higher temperature, making it ideal for popcorn.

Butter

If you want simple and yummy, you can always go with the old butter standby. If you decide to use butter, make sure it's real butter and not some kind of vegetable oil spread. Bonus if it's grass-fed!

Popcorn Toppings

When it comes to popcorn toppings, the possibilities are limitless. I just sprinkle some salt on mine. Sometimes I will add a little more oil to get the salt to stick and add some flavor.

I like the finely granulated himalayan pink salt, but just about any fine granulated salt will work.

Here are some possible things you can put on your popcorn in addition to or without salt:

For a smoked barbeque flavor, try some smoked paprika. It also gives your popcorn a nice color too.

If you are feeling daring, try some curry powder.

Garlic powder or garlic salt is good if you love the boldness of garlic.

Cinnamon or pumpkin pie seasoning are good options for a taste of fall.

Try coating your popcorn in some lime juice and sprinkle some chile powder on it.

Add a dash of cayenne if you like the heat.

Salt free seasoning can work too if you want flavor without the sodium.