5-Minute Stovetop Popcorn
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Stovetop Coconut Oil Popcorn is incredibly easy and serves as a healthy, filling snack that all ages love. The coconut oil brings the perfect hint of sweetness that is balanced with a bit of salt. It’s a budget-friendly, tummy-filling, healthy snack that will have you ditching the microwave popcorn for good!
Why Stovetop Popcorn Over Microwave?
A few years ago my sister turned me on to making my own popcorn on the stove vs. the microwave. Here’s why it’s better:
- It’s unbelievably cheaper for one thing.
- It’s safe and healthy, unlike microwave popcorn which is linked to cancer-causing substances called PFCs that are in the bags.
- Most importantly to me, it tastes even better than movie theater popcorn!
Tips for Great Stovetop Popcorn
- Use Coconut Oil – This is crucial and what gives popcorn the movie theater taste. An added bonus is that coconut oil is good for you and one of the safest oils to cook with. I usually buy something like Nutiva Certified Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in bulk.
- Buy A Nicer Grade of Popcorn – I’ve tried the cheap stuff and the more expensive varieties. I can definitely tell a difference. I’ve even found a local, organic, non-GMO variety at my local health food store that I love, so try some different varieties and see what you think.
- Use A Large, Heavy-Bottomed Pot – This helps ensure the popcorn cooks evenly.
How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Heat about 3 tablespoons of coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Make sure the oil melts down and coats the bottom of the pan.
- Add a few kernels of corn and put the lid on. When they pop, you know your oil is hot enough!
- Once the coconut oil is hot enough, add enough kernels to mostly cover the bottom of the pot. I use about 1/2 cup.
- Using oven mitts, use one hand to continuously shake the pot by the side handle. Use the other hand to crack the lid (the pic doesn’t show this because I was taking the picture at this point!), allowing the steam to release. Releasing the steam is important so that the popcorn doesn’t get soggy.
- When the popping slows down quite a bit, pull the pot off the heat. Dump it into a bowl immediately, so the bottom pieces don’t burn in the pot.
- Season with sea salt to taste. That’s it. Nothing else is needed for the perfect bowl of popcorn!
Popcorn FAQs
I’ve found that the popcorn stores for about two days in an air-tight container. I like to break mine into snack bags for an easy, grab-and-go snack.
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Homemade Coconut Oil Popcorn
Stovetop Coconut Oil Popcorn is incredibly easy and serves as a healthy, filling snack that all ages love. The coconut oil brings the perfect hint of sweetness that is balanced with a bit of salt. It’s a budget-friendly, tummy-filling, healthy snack that will have you ditching the microwave popcorn for good!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- Salt, to taste (I really like Himalayan Pink Salt)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Heat about 3 tablespoons or a heaping spoonful of coconut oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Make sure the oil coats the bottom of the pan.
- Add a few kernels of corn and put the lid on.
- When the kernels begin to pop, add enough kernels to mostly cover the bottom of the pot (approximately 1/2 cup).
- Using oven mitts, use one hand to continuously shake the pot by the side handle. Use the other hand to crack the lid, allowing the steam to release. Releasing the steam is important so that the popcorn doesn’t get soggy.
- When the popping slows down quite a bit, pull the pot off the heat. Dump it into a bowl immediately, so the bottom pieces don’t burn in the pot.
- Season with salt to taste (approximately 3/4 -1 teaspoon).
Notes/Tips
Leftover popcorn stores for about two days in an air-tight container. I like to break mine into snack bags for an easy, grab-and-go snack.
We love to serve this popcorn with our Homemade Hot Chocolate in the winter. It’s the perfect snow day snack!
Very good 😊
So glad you enjoyed the popcorn Nicole! Thanks for leaving a review.
I have used coconut oil in the past but was never sure how much to use – I used about 2 tablespoons with the 1/2 cup of corn and it was PERFECT :). The best tip was to use a deep pan and not putting the lid on tight! A lot of steam escaped and this was the first time I got fully-popped, dry popcorn.
Yay, glad to hear it Debbie. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
the very best stovetop popcorn i made since my teen years 55 yrs ago
Oh, what a wonderful comment. Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know! We’re glad the stovetop popcorn brought back some good memories Dee!
The best homemade popcorn I have ever made!!! I have not cooked popcorn on the stove nor used coconut oil. I am a breast cancer patient and I am trying to use healthier ingredients.
Hi Sabrina! So glad you enjoyed this. I just prayed for your breast cancer journey. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’ve made this more times than I can count. I love that it’s healthier than the bagged kind. I also love the touch of sweetness that comes from the coconut oil.
i put foil that has holes poked in it and reuse it to let steam escape. Got burned lifting the lid too many times.
Good idea! It’s a bit tricky to keep the lid on while shaking the pot.
I have been making popcorn on the stove for about a year now. I do not always shake it and I do release the steam otherwise it’s not as crisp tasting. Stale=soggy to me. I can’t wait to try this with coconut oil today!
This is how I make popcorn, with one difference. My mom taught me that you don’t have to continuously shake the pan. I tried it, and Mom was right! I just add the popcorn to the oil, put the lid on and let it go.
Do you still crack the lid to release steam? I’m interested to try this, because I’ve already read you have to shake it.
No, I have never heard of releasing the steam. I’ve never had it turn out soggy.
I love making popcorn this way. My grandchildren love it when we get together and cook popcorn
On the stove top. I like to sprinkle nutritional yeast on ours. It adds great flavor. It’s my favorite way to eat popcorn. Try it sometime. You can find nutritional yeast at your local health food store.
Thanks for the tip! I would have never thought to try that.
My kids just voted this the best popcorn ever! I thought they might taste the coconut oil but they didn’t at all! This will be our new way to make popcorn. It was super yummy and also a great little experiment for the kids to watch.
That’s awesome! Glad they liked it, Kary! I make a huge batch every week and it gets better within a day or two, I think. I regularly send it to school for snack.
It is soooo funny reading blog posts from you younger people about stuff you “discover”!!! Those of us a year or two (lol) older learned these simple things growing up! You kids are so funny!!! lol
Yep, we’re the fast food generation…slowly working our way back to real food. 😉
Julia, great ideas for more variation on this recipe. How can you go wrong with butter?
This is similar to the popcorn I make but with two differences. I use coconut oil but I also add real butter to the pot and the salt! Then when I pour the kernels into the pot of melted butter and coconut oil I swirl the popcorn around so all the kernels. If you want a chipolte popcorn, salt & pepper etc. just add it to the oil & butter first then add kernels. We also buy bulk organic popcorn at our local Raleys so you can find it at the bigger markets too. Popcorn=my favorite food! 😀
Thanks for the feedback, G. Glad you like it as much as we do. We must make this every other day at least.
OOohhhh Rachel!!! This is yummy! I have been wanting to do this for a long time and finally made it tonight! We are babysitting the Matz boys and are ending our night together with a movie! You can’t watch a movie without popcorn!!
I totally agree that coconut oil makes the BEST popcorn imaginable! Tried it a couple of months ago and will never use anything else ever again! Love the blog, girls! So much fun!