How to Air Pop Popcorn

Air popped popcorn requires no fat to make.

Pop popcorn without fat for a low calorie, crunchy treat. According to the Popcorn Board, popcorn pops when the kernels heat so that the water trapped inside expands until it forces the popcorn kernel to turn inside out. The fluffy exterior of popcorn was the interior of the kernel in seed form. With a hot-air popcorn popper, you can make quarts of popcorn for a party or family movie night without adding fat or worrying about chemicals used in microwave popcorn.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• Hot air popcorn popper
• 4 quart bowl or paper bag
• Popcorn salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the popcorn kernels inside the popcorn popper.

2. Place the cover on the popper.

3. Set the bowl in front of the chute for the hot air popcorn popper, and plug in the machine.

4. Wait about three minutes for the popcorn popper to pop the kernels and force them through the chute into the bowl. Unplug the popper when the popping sounds slow to intervals of two to three seconds.

5. Discard any leftover kernels in the bottom of the hot air popper and enjoy your air popped popcorn from the bowl sprinkled with popcorn salt, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for popcorn salt near the spices or unpopped popcorn kernels at a grocery store.

References

• Popcorn Board: What Makes Popcorn Pop?
• Slate: What's the Best Popcorn Popper?

Resources

• Popcorn Board: Popcorn Recipes