Here’s how to make perfect homemade popcorn from home.
Homeschooling affords us many opportunities to have play dates during the week. It isn’t uncommon for us to have our friends come and visit on afternoons throughout the school year. Homemade popcorn is a great snack idea for this. Summertime is of course perfect for this too! And let’s not forget how great popcorn is for movie nights!
“Mrs. Rachel, can you please pop some popcorn?,” they would ask every single visit. This mama learned to be prepared and have it on hand at all times! Knowing I could make their day by something so simple is sweet.
I realized that I started getting a reputation for being the mom that made “homemade popcorn.” It’s inexpensive and makes a great snack for a big crowd of kids, but the kids didn’t see it that way. They just thought it was cool to hear the kernels popping and to see the popcorn hit the lid. And then they got to add salt and butter!
It occurred to me that not everyone grows up with stove top popcorn. Microwaveable popcorn has replaced homemade popcorn over the years. So, I thought I would make a quick tutorial on it.
Prepare for your house to smell like a movie theater!
Perfect Homemade Popcorn
- Approx 1/2 cup popping corn
- Vegetable oil
- Butter for drizzling (I use about 1/4 cup)
- salt to taste
- a stovetop and a medium, heavy saucepan with a lid
To make this popcorn “clean eating” use coconut oil in the place of vegetable oil. You can either omit the butter, or use an organic variety.
Heat your saucepan over medium high heat. Add about 2 tbsp of vegetable oil (enough to coat the bottom of your pan). Allow the oil to get nice and hot but not smoking. It should be wavy looking when swirled around. Add your popping corn. Cover with lid. Gently shake as popping corn gets hot and begins to pop. This allows the kernels to pop evenly.
Keep covered until the popping slows down to a couple of seconds apart. Remove from heat, and pour into bowls. Add salt to taste. Drizzle melted butter all over the top and shake. Drizzle some more and shake again. And if you are feeling splurgy, drizzle even more. Live your life, and eat it by the handful!
This recipe makes a big bowl full.
You may also like Instant Hot Chocolate Mix or Perfect Bars