How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

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Make snack time easy tonight with our stovetop popcorn tutorial. In under 10 minutes, you can make popcorn on the stove. Enjoy!

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The BEST Stovetop Popcorn

I have to say that stovetop popcorn can be a little bit intimidating if youโ€™ve never made it before. Heck, Iโ€™ve been making it my whole life and I still get nervous that the popcorn is going to overflow while Iโ€™m making it or that the bottom of the pot is going to burn.

Thatโ€™s why we thought weโ€™d put together the ultimate homemade popcorn tutorial so that you can eat perfect, airy stovetop popcorn every single time you make.

Ingredients You Need

First things first here are the basics of what you need to get started when making stovetop popcorn:

  • Popcorn kernels: any kind of unpopped kernel will work. We like to buy ours in the bulk section because itโ€™s super cheap!
  • High heat oil: we recommending either olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Sea salt: what is popcorn without the salt?!
  • Medium to large pot with cover: the cover is key. Make sure to grab a pot with a cover because youโ€™ll need it to heat the kernels.

What Kind of Popcorn Kernels to Buy

There are a few different kinds of popcorn kernels out there. The most common two are yellow and white kernels, which can be found at most grocery stores. Either of these two work for this recipe, so use what you can find or what you have on hand!

We love:

Stovetop Popcorn ingredients

Best Oil for Stovetop Popcorn

Olive oil and avocado oil are are the best option when it comes to making popcorn on the stove.

Why? They have a light flavor and work well with medium/high heat.

Want to avoid the oil? I have a little secret for you โ€” sometimes I donโ€™t use oil at all! It just depends. One reason why I like to use oil is that it gives the popcorn a little bit extra flavor and Iโ€™ve found that it pops more evenly. But, I am here to tell you that this recipe works sans oil.

Best Pot for Stovetop Popcorn

Youโ€™ll need a medium to large-size pot depending on how much popcorn you want to make.

For reference, 2 tablespoons of kernels will make around 5 cups of popped popcorn. This recipe yields around 10 cups of popped popcorn, so you want to make sure you have a pot big enough to fit that amount of popcorn!

My favorite pot to use is a nonstick Calphalon pot WITH a lid. Making sure your pot has a lid is super important because you cook your kernels with the lid on.

Popcorn kernals

How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

Making popcorn on the stove is easy. This might be the easiest tutorial youโ€™ve ever read and bonus, it only takes 10 minutes!

Heat Oil

Begin by heating your saucepan over medium/high heat. Then, drizzle on oil, spreading it out as evenly as you can.

Test Heat with a Few Kernels

Add a few kernels to the bottom of your pot and cover and shake them around every so often. The oil will begin to heat up. When those two kernels pop, you know youโ€™re ready to add the rest of the kernels!

Add remaining kernels

Add the rest of the kernels and salt and cover again. Shake the pot every so often so that the kernels donโ€™t burn on the bottom of the pot. Youโ€™ll notice after a few minutes that the kernels will begin to pop.

Shake Shake Shake

Keep on shaking until the popping slows down to about 1 every 3 seconds.

Once the popping slows down, you know youโ€™re pretty much out of kernels and your stovetop popcorn is ready! If you forgot to salt your popcorn beforehand, no worries! You can add whatever toppings your heart desires at this point.

Popped Popcorn in a pot

Stovetop Popcorn FAQs

How much popcorn does 2 tablespoons of kernels make?

Per 2 tablespoons of un-popped popcorn kernels (a single serving), you get around 5 cups of popped popcorn.

Is popcorn healthy?
Is popcorn gluten free?
What are the nutrition benefits of popcorn?
Popcorn

Popcorn Seasonings to try!

Donโ€™t like boring old salted popcorn? Try one of these homemade seasonings to spice things up!

More Popcorn Recipes

Looking for more fun popcorn recipes? Check out: 4 DIY Easy Popcorn Snack Mixes HERE. Youโ€™ll find how-to recipes forโ€ฆ

  • Churro
  • Parmesan Garlic
  • Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
  • Ranch
5 from 3 votes

How to Make Stovetop Popcorn

Get perfect popcorn every time with this stovetop popcorn tutorial. All you need is popcorn kernels, a high heat oil, and salt!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings:
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Ingredients 

  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil*
  • salt, to taste

Instructions 

  • Place 1/2 tablespoon of oil on the bottom of a medium to large pot. Make sure your pot is at least 2.5 quarts so that it can fit the popped kernels. Turn heat to medium/high and place two unpopped popcorn kernels in the oil. Cover and let sit, shaking periodically.
  • Once the two popcorn kernels have popped, you can add the rest of the unpopped popcorn. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, cover, and shake kernels so that they are fully coated in oil.
  • Continue to periodically shake kernels (with the top on) about every 20 seconds so that the kernels donโ€™t burn. Soon enough, they will begin to pop!
  • Continue shaking pot as the popcorn pops. Once there are about 2 or 3 seconds in between pops, you know the popcorn is done popping and itโ€™s time to eat!
  • Option to add more salt or any other seasonings your heart desires!

Watch It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=โ€SCe8MkZxโ€ upload-date=โ€2018-02-19T12:50:20.000Zโ€ name=โ€Kitchen Hack: How to Make Popcorn on the Stove Topโ€ description=โ€Make snack time easy and healthy tonight with stove top popcorn! Donโ€™t worry, we put together a Kitchen Hack: How to Pop Popcorn on the Stove Top just for you. Popcorn is the perfect snack to have on hand at all times!โ€]

Nutrition

Calories: 170 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 8 g, Fiber: 7 g, Sugar: 0 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Lee Funke

Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.

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Key
Key
September 16, 2023 11:29 pm

5 stars
Mind-blowing recipe to be so simple. Made the popcorn taste way better and every kernel popped for me for the first time!!!!

Adam
October 26, 2020 7:25 pm
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5 stars
Easy and deliciousโ€ฆ Thank you very much