National Popcorn Lover’s Day {a Feast of Delicious Popcorn Links}
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In honor of today being National Popcorn Lovers Day (one of those random obscure holidays), I thought that it only seemed appropriate to pay respect to one of my favorite snacks.
Want to learn some facts about what makes popcorn pop? I recently discovered this interesting and informative little video on the history of popcorn and how it pops by going inside the pan. Fascinating!
I enjoy popcorn in a variety of ways, but I think the best is when it’s popped on the stove in some coconut oil. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt and you don’t even need butter. It’s truly a decant treat!
Stove Topped Popcorn
- 3 TBSP coconut oil (don’t worry it does not leave a coconut flavor)
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/4 cup melted butter (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy pot. Add the kernels and cover with a lid. For best results, leave the lid slightly ajar to let a little stem escape. Also shake the pot once or twice while the kernels are popping.
As the popping slows to about 2 to 3 seconds apart, remove the pot from the heat.
Pour popped popcorn into a large bowl and pour the melted butter over it if you wish, and sprinkle salt on top. Toss to coat.
This is by far the best simple popcorn recipe and something that I enjoy making for movie nights, but sometimes you just want a quick and easy snack. That’s when I revert to quick microwave popcorn, but not the yucky store bought kind that is full of harmful chemicals (even the natural and organic kind is really bad for you too). I make my own using the brown paper bag trick.
Quick and Easy Microwave Popcorn
- 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 brown paper bag
- 2 Tbsp of EVOO or melted butter (optional)
- 1/2 tsp of salt (the salt will only stick of you add oil or butter on top)
Place the popcorn inside a paper bag and fold down the top. I put my bag into a microwaveable glass bowl since I have had a problem with kernels popping outside of the bag and making a mess. Now the bowl catches the mess!
I set my microwave for 2 minutes but each one is different so make sure you listen for when most of the kernels stop popping. Once the popping stops, take the bag out of the microwave and pour into a bowl. If you want to season it with oil or butter you can, but it also tastes great without seasoning too.
Of course if you are adventurous there are plenty of ways to season your popcorn with a variety of different flavors. Back around the holidays I shared with you my Sweet and Savory Cinnamon Popcorn recipe that not only is delicious, but also makes a great gift too.
Want some more great popcorn recipes? Check out some of these goodies from around the web, but be warned…. they look mouth watering (and the few that I have already tried are!) and you may only want to eat popcorn today!
Buffalo Ranch Popcorn / Taste of Home
Salted Carmel Popcorn / Cookies and Cups
Bacon Popcorn / Katie’s Cucina
Oreo Popcorn / CincyShopper
Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn / Never Enough Thyme
White Chocolate M&M and Macadamia Nut Popcorn / Play. Pary. Pin
S’Mores Popcorn / I Wash… You Dry
Mmm.. I think I’m going to make some popcorn tonight!!
Yea! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Wow! I had no idea you could make homemade microwaved popcorn! Thank you for sharing! I’ve always known that store-bought microwave popcorn is bad for you, but I didn’t realize there was such an easy alternative. I’ve also never made it on the stove top before, though I’ve tasted before, and it is much better. I’ll be trying this sometime soon!
I hope you do get a chance to try it on the stove soon, it’s a game changer 🙂 And yes, homemade microwave popcorn is so easy once you figure out long to cook it in your microwave.
I made it on the stove top this afternoon! (I kept forgetting to buy paper bags, hehe). It was DELICIOUS on the stove top! And so easy! Not a single burnt piece! This is definitely a new favorite. Thank you!
Isn’t it amazing how easy it is to make popcorn at home? I love the flavors you’ve shared, too.
It’s my favorite way! I grew up with my mom making popcorn on the stove all the time and it wasn’t until I was in college that I even tried the store bought kind. I will always make my own because your right, it is so easy and so much better too!