How to Pop Popcorn in a Pan

Whip up a large bowl of popcorn within minutes for movie night.

Popping your own popcorn on the stovetop in a pan provides a healthier alternative to the high-fat microwavable bagged popcorn. Control your portion size when you make homemade popcorn by making only enough for one serving. By controlling the amount of additives on your popcorn, you can use the popped kernels in trail mixes or popcorn balls. Season your popcorn using ground onion and garlic for a savory treat or spice it up with ground red pepper and salt. You can also sprinkle cinnamon and sugar to satisfy your sweet taste buds.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. canola, vegetable or peanut oil
• Large non-stick heavy-bottom frying pan with lid
• 1/4 cup popping corn
• Large bowl
• Fine salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the oil to a large nonstick frying pan that has a heavy bottom and a lid. Heat the oil over medium heat.

2. Pour the popping corn into the hot oil. Shake the pan to coat the corn with the oil. Place the lid on the pan.

3. Allow the corn to cook until the first kernel pops, which should take approximately 5 minutes. Hold down the lid and shake the handle of the pan gently two or three times so that none of the kernels stick to the bottom, which will cause them to scorch.

4. Leave the pan to cook until you hear the popping begin to cease, which should take approximately 1 minute once the popping begins.

5. Lift the pan off of the burner as the popping ceases. Shake the pan while holding the lid down for 30 seconds while it is still above the hot burner so that any remaining kernels may pop.

6. Remove the pan from the heat and take the lid off. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and sprinkle fine salt to taste, if preferred, over the hot popcorn so that it sticks to the pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find popping corn in most grocery stores or supermarkets on the same aisle as the microwavable popcorn.

• Do not leave the popping corn unattended on the stove as it can scorch quite easily.

References

• Iowa State University Extension; Making Popcorn in a Pan on Top of the Stove; Peggy Martin

Resources

• Lake Magazine; Best Buttered Stovetop Popcorn; Deborah Loeser Small