How to Make Popcorn

If popcorn is your idea of the perfect snack, expand your repertoire when it comes to making the crunchy tidbits. How to Make Popcorn will show you how to create a delicious batch on the stovetop or a single serving in the microwave. Follow these simple steps and you'll discover how easy it is to customize a batch of popcorn with the amount of salt, sugar or spices you desire.

1. Got a stovetop? Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Choose oil with a high smoking point (like canola or peanut oil) to cook the popcorn properly.
3. Add the all of the kernels once the test kernels pop.
4. Swirl the pan to coat the kernels with oil.
5. Shake the pan as the kernels pop to avoid scorching.
6. Cover the pan, but leave the lid slightly ajar to so the steam can escape.
7. Got a microwave? Pour kernels and oil in a paper lunch bag.
8. Fold closed, stapling if desired.
9. Heat in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

If popcorn is your idea of the perfect snack, expand your repertoire when it comes to making the crunchy tidbits. How to Make Popcorn will show you how to create a delicious batch on the stovetop or a single serving in the microwave. Follow these simple steps and you'll discover how easy it is to customize a batch of popcorn with the amount of salt, sugar or spices you desire.

• Americans use about 1.12 billion pounds of popcorn each year, enjoying it as a snack, incorporating it into other recipes or using it in holiday decor at Christmas.The Popcorn Company: Fun Facts about Popcorn Whether you like it plain, slathered in hot butter or sprinkled with something like flavorful Parmigiano-Reggiano, learn how to make tasty homemade popcorn on your stovetop or in your microwave.Epicurious: Parmesan Pepper Popcorn

• Follow these simple instructions to create about 2 quarts of popcorn in less than 10 minutes.

• You only have to have a few basic ingredients on hand to make a healthy and satisfying bowl of popcorn.

• Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Canola Oil (or any other oil with a high smoking point)Simply Recipes: Perfect Popcorn Recipe

• 1/3 cup Popcorn Kernels

• Butter and Salt to taste

• Equipment

• Stove

• 3 Quart Saucepan with Lid

1. Pour the oil into the saucepan and place over medium-high heat.Simply Recipes: Perfect Popcorn Recipe
2. Test the temperature of the oil by placing a few kernels into the pan and covering it.Simply Recipes: Perfect Popcorn Recipe
3. When those pop, add the rest of the kernels and cover the pan, swirling it so the popcorn is evenly covered with oil.Popcorn.org: Perfect Popcorn Poppin' Tips
4. Shake the pan when the kernels begin to pop so they won't burn.Lake Magazine: Best Buttered Stovetop Popcorn
5. Lift the lid slightly to let the steam escape to make crispier popcorn.Slashfood: How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
6. Remove the pan from the stove when you can count to three after hearing a kernel pop.Lake Magazine: Best Buttered Stovetop Popcorn
7. After pouring the popcorn into a bowl, place the butter in the hot pan to melt it. Sprinkle melted butter and salt on the popcorn to taste.Simply Recipes: Perfect Popcorn Recipe

• Small Notebook: How to Make Stovetop Popcorn (Time: 2:44)

• If you've ever suffered with the smell of burnt popcorn in your home, you know there's a fine line between crispy and completely overdone. Use the following tips to get light and fluffy popcorn every time.

1. Store popcorn kernels in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh.Cookography: Stovetop Popcorn
2. Use a heavy saucepan to ensure a consistent temperature while the popcorn pops.Cookography: Stovetop Popcorn
3. If your popcorn frequently burns, consider holding the pot above the burner slightly and shaking it more often while the popcorn pops.Hub Pages: Stovetop Popcorn Troubleshooting
4. Salt the popcorn after it pops rather than salting the kernels since that would reduce its fluffiness.Popcorn.org: Popping Tips

1. Measure out about 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels.Instructables.com: Microwave Popcorn: Home made, cheap and easy You don't want to put too much in the bag, or you'll have a mess. Think of it as a single serving. Treehugger.com: How to Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn
2. Pour the kernels into the bag.
   • -If you don't have a paper bag, try using a large microwavable bowl with a microwavable lid.YouTube: Microwave popcorn without the bag of chemicals (Time: 1:50)
3. Pour a teaspoon of oil (any cooking oil with a high smoking point) over the kernels or slather butter inside the bag.Instructables.com: Microwave Popcorn: Home made, cheap and easy Treehugger.com: How to Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn
   • -For extra healthy popcorn, skip the butter and oil. When you cook popcorn in the microwave, the kernels release steam allowing them to cook without oil.YouTube: Good Eats S2E14P2: Ear Apparent (Time: 10:29)
   • -You can also add melted butter after you pop the corn.
4. Fold the bag closed at least three times.Treehugger.com: How to Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn
5. Shake.
   • -You can also fold once then staple the bag closed.Food Network.com: Plain Brown Popper
6. Place the bag in the microwave, fold side up.YouTube: How to make homemade microwave popcorn (Time: 2:27)
7. Nuke for 3 to 4 minutes.Treehugger.com: How to Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn
   • -It's done when there are 5 seconds in between pops.Food Network.com: Plain Brown Popper
   • -If you have a popcorn button on your microwave, go ahead and press that.YouTube: How to make homemade microwave popcorn (Time: 2:27)
8. Pour into a bowl and season to taste. Enjoy!

• Is stovetop popcorn too slow or too old fashioned for you? In less than five minutes, you can have yummy homemade popcorn straight from your microwave.

• Popcorn Kernels

• Microwave

• Paper Bag (lunch size)

• Butter or Oil (optional)

• Salt to taste

• If you're ready to go beyond butter and salt, try one of these flavorful additions to the basic popcorn recipe.

1. Try coconut oil as a healthy alternative.The Cancer Blog: Vicki's Healthy Popcorn
2. Add chili powder, cayenne and paprika to create popcorn with a spicy kick.Epicurious2: Chili Popcorn
3. Use grapeseed oil, herbs de Provence and garlic for a French popcorn flavor.Epicurious: Frenchified Popcorn
4. Include sugar to turn your popcorn into sweet Kettle Corn.About.com: How to Make Kettle Corn