How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

Make snack time easy tonight with our stovetop popcorn tutorial. In under 10 minutes, you can make popcorn on the stove. Enjoy!

The BEST Stovetop Popcorn

I have to say that stovetop popcorn can be a little bit intimidating if you’ve never made it before. Heck, I’ve been making it my whole life and I still get nervous that the popcorn is going to overflow while I’m making it or that the bottom of the pot is going to burn.

That’s why we thought we’d put together the ultimate homemade popcorn tutorial so that you can eat perfect, airy stovetop popcorn every single time you make.

Ingredients You Need

First things first here are the basics of what you need to get started when making stovetop popcorn:

• Popcorn kernels: any kind of unpopped kernel will work. We like to buy ours in the bulk section because it’s super cheap!
• High heat oil: we recommending either olive oil or avocado oil.
• Sea salt: what is popcorn without the salt?!
• Medium to large pot with cover: the cover is key. Make sure to grab a pot with a cover because you’ll need it to heat the kernels.

What Kind of Popcorn Kernels to Buy

There are a few different kinds of popcorn kernels out there. The most common two are yellow and white kernels, which can be found at most grocery stores. Either of these two work for this recipe, so use what you can find or what you have on hand!

We love:

• Orville
• Jollytime
• Whatever is stocked in the bulk section!

Best Oil for Stovetop Popcorn

Olive oil and avocado oil are are the best option when it comes to making popcorn on the stove.

Why? They have a light flavor and work well with medium/high heat.

Want to avoid the oil? I have a little secret for you — sometimes I don’t use oil at all! It just depends. One reason why I like to use oil is that it gives the popcorn a little bit extra flavor and I’ve found that it pops more evenly. But, I am here to tell you that this recipe works sans oil.

Best Pot for Stovetop Popcorn

You’ll need a medium to large-size pot depending on how much popcorn you want to make.

For reference, 2 tablespoons of kernels will make around 5 cups of popped popcorn. This recipe yields around 10 cups of popped popcorn, so you want to make sure you have a pot big enough to fit that amount of popcorn!

My favorite pot to use is a nonstick Calphalon pot WITH a lid. Making sure your pot has a lid is super important because you cook your kernels with the lid on.

How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

Making popcorn on the stove is easy. This might be the easiest tutorial you’ve ever read and bonus, it only takes 10 minutes!

Heat Oil

Begin by heating your saucepan over medium/high heat. Then, drizzle on oil, spreading it out as evenly as you can.

Test Heat with a Few Kernels

Add a few kernels to the bottom of your pot and cover and shake them around every so often. The oil will begin to heat up. When those two kernels pop, you know you’re ready to add the rest of the kernels!

Add remaining kernels

Add the rest of the kernels and salt and cover again. Shake the pot every so often so that the kernels don’t burn on the bottom of the pot. You’ll notice after a few minutes that the kernels will begin to pop.

Shake Shake Shake

Keep on shaking until the popping slows down to about 1 every 3 seconds.

Once the popping slows down, you know you’re pretty much out of kernels and your stovetop popcorn is ready! If you forgot to salt your popcorn beforehand, no worries! You can add whatever toppings your heart desires at this point.

Stovetop Popcorn FAQs

Popcorn Seasonings to try!

Don’t like boring old salted popcorn? Try one of these homemade seasonings to spice things up!

• Chai Spice
• Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Homemade Taco Seasoning

More Popcorn Recipes

Looking for more fun popcorn recipes? Check out: 4 DIY Easy Popcorn Snack Mixes HERE. You’ll find how-to recipes for…

• Churro
• Parmesan Garlic
• Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
• Ranch