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This is the easiest and most delicious stovetop popcorn, ever!

Made with just a few simple ingredients, this buttery snack will disappear in minutes.

Be sure to make a big batch!

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How to make homemade popcorn

Featured Ingredients

Oil: Corn or canola oil are great options.
Popcorn kernels: Good old-fashioned popcorn kernels are what you need for this recipe.
Butter: It's optional, and of course adds that rich butter flavor.
Salt: It's necessary for the best ever stovetop popcorn!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat the oil in a large stock pot to medium-high heat.
Add the popcorn kernels and place the lid on top.
Allow the popcorn to pop until popping slows, shaking the pan perodically. Remove from the heat.
Once the popcorn completely stops popping, remove the lid.
Slowly pour about a quarter of the butter over the popcorn (if using) and sprinkle with salt; shake the pot so it coats the popcorn.
Do this again, about 4 or 5 times so the popcorn is evenly coated with butter and salt.
Serve immediately.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

For the oil: You can use any oil, even olive or coconut oil.
- A neutral oil is best, though, to make the popcorn flavor really shine.
For the popcorn kernels: Yellow or white popcorn kernels work great.
For the butter: Use melted salted or unsalted butter - whatever you have on hand.
- However, this is optional as the popcorn tastes pretty awesome just cooked in oil with salt!
Salt: I use a finer ground kosher salt.

Fun Flavor Combinations

Vanilla Chia: 1 tablespoon chai tea + ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Smoky and Spicy: 1 tablespoon smoked paprika + 1 tablespoon chili powder + dash cayenne
Pumpkin Pie: 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice + 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Caprese: 1 ½ tablespoons tomato basil seasoning
Coconut Curry: 1 tablespoon curry powder + dash cayenne + 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
Garlic Parmesan: 1 tablespoon garlic powder + 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
Ranch: 1 tablespoon grated parmesan + 2 tablespoons finely minced chives + 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley + 1 teaspoon minced garlic

How-To Make Special Combinations:

Pop kernels in oil, per directions above.
Mix butter with seasoning combo and pour and toss on popped popcorn.
Season with salt and enjoy!

Nutrition Considerations

To make it gluten free: This recipe does not contain gluten.
To make it dairy free: This recipe does not contain dairy.
To make it vegan: Don't use the butter.
To make it nut free: This recipe does not contain nuts. Be sure all ingredients are nut free.
To make it egg free: This recipe does not contain eggs.

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Yummy snack recipes:

Healthy Chex Mix
Walnut Oat Bars with Dates
Dill Veggie Dip
Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
Use your homemade popcorn in this Popcorn Trail Mix!

Stovetop Popcorn

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Old-fashioned stovetop popcorn lightly buttered and salted.

Author: Julie Andrews
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5-10 mins
Total Time: 10-15 mins
Yield: Serves 4
Category: Snacks
Method: Stove-Top
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons oil (ideally corn or canola oil)
½ cup yellow or white popcorn kernels
1 ½ tablespoons butter, melted (optional)
Kosher salt, to taste

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Instructions

Heat the oil in a large stock pot to medium-high heat.
Add the popcorn kernels and place the lid on top. Allow the popcorn to pop until popping slows, shaking the pan perodically. Remove from the heat.
Once the popcorn completely stops popping, remove the lid.
Slowly pour about a quarter of the butter over the popcorn (if using) and sprinkle with salt.
Shake the pot so it coats the popcorn; do this again, about 4 or 5 times so the popcorn is evenly coated with butter and salt.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Flavoring Combinations:

Vanilla Chia: 1 tablespoon chai tea + ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Smoked & Spicy: 1 tablespoon smoked paprika + 1 tablespoon chili powder + dash cayenne
Pumpkin Pie: 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice + 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Caprese: 1 ½ tablespoons tomato basil seasoning
Coconut Curry: 1 tablespoon curry powder + dash cayenne + 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
Garlic Parmesan: 1 tablespoon garlic powder + 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
Ranch: 1 tablespoon grated parmesan + 2 tablespoons finely minced chives + 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley + 1 teaspoon minced garlic