do you make your own popcorn from scratch?

Making popcorn "from scratch"?

Isn't that kind of like making toast "from scratch" . . . or ice "from scratch" . . . or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich "from scratch"?
 
My husband grew up in a family of 7 and they lived on popcorn. It is such an inexpensive snack to make.

We use the airpopper for popcorn without many calories for my sons' lunches. This has saved us money ... but we primarily did it as a crunchy lunch side for my son who struggles with his weight. This was one of the greatest tips for our son.

Now, when we have it in the evening as a snack, my husband makes it with oil in a pan then adds butter and salt. It is so much better than the store bought microwave popcorn.

.... HOWEVER, one of my husband's vendors gave him popcorn for Christmas and told him to make it with BACON FAT. We tried it ... and it is to DIE for! (But not good for watching your calories :lmao: so we won't be having it cooked this way very often!)

One tip I do have ... is the burned popcorn sticks to the bottom of the pot and is so hard to get out ... so, we have one popcorn pot that is for making popcorn.
 
DD and I made of bag of microwave popcorn this afternoon and we both thought it tasted funny. So it looks like we'll be trying to learn how do it the old fashioned way. Where can I buy the seasonings? I looked on Amazon, but don't want 6 containers of the same flavors.

I just buy all our popcorn spices at the local grocery store. Specific popcorn spices are usually by the popcorn seeds, same with the butter flavored oil. When I use sea salt I buy it at Penzy's spices. Lawry's seasoning salt is good too, as well as garlic salt.
 
You can make it in a brown paper lunch bag. Add about 1/4 cup of popcorn, a bit of salt, and fold the bag over at the top. Place it in the microwave. Press the popcorn button, and you're good to go. Just make sure to keep an eye on it.

:thumbsup2
 

Mary•Poppins;39396067 said:
My husband grew up in a family of 7 and they lived on popcorn. It is such an inexpensive snack to make.

We use the airpopper for popcorn without many calories for my sons' lunches. This has saved us money ... but we primarily did it as a crunchy lunch side for my son who struggles with his weight. This was one of the greatest tips for our son.

Now, when we have it in the evening as a snack, my husband makes it with oil in a pan then adds butter and salt. It is so much better than the store bought microwave popcorn.

.... HOWEVER, one of my husband's vendors gave him popcorn for Christmas and told him to make it with BACON FAT. We tried it ... and it is to DIE for! (But not good for watching your calories :lmao: so we won't be having it cooked this way very often!)

One tip I do have ... is the burned popcorn sticks to the bottom of the pot and is so hard to get out ... so, we have one popcorn pot that is for making popcorn.

Try adding a little more oil to the bottom of the pot. Also, listen for the popping to start to slow. Once it starts slowing, remove it from the heat, but leave the cover on for another minute. It will continue to pop just a little. No more burning!!!
 
I am also a huge popcorn lover. I'm on my third air-popper, but I really don't like the oils in microwave popcorn.

I have the Presto Orville Reddenbacher (how do you spell that?) thanks to Santa. It works so well and it doesn't take up much space.
 
We use a popper like the Whirley Popper, but is by a company called Schneiders. It isn't made in China, and the handles are wood, not plastic.

Anyway, Alton Brown once had an article on his popping method, that used a metal bowl, some foil, and a vise-grips!! If you already have those at home, it might be fun to try!

We use coconut oil, which is a solid at room temperature, and a product called Flavorcol, to season the popcorn while it pops.

Best popcorn EVER!!!

Cathy
 
I have a whirley pop as well and love it!!!

Many years ago we had some of my kids' friends over and I popped up a ton of popcorn. One of the boys was just fascinated by my popper. I drove him home later and he got out of my car and yelled, "MOM!!! Did you know that you can make popcorn NOT in the microwave????" His mom and I had a good laugh over that one.

The amish popcorn sounds good. I might have to check into that.
 
I use a 6qt stainless steel pot with canola oil. I have always shaked the pot with the lid on maybe that's why I never get burned popcorn??

I keep the microwave bags for those times when DH & I go out so the kids can make a snack but we hardly ever go out.
Edit- Now you got me thinking that I should get an electric air popper so the kids can use that, thanks!
 
I always make stove top popcorn. We love it! I often get microwave popcorn for free, and will pick it up then... but we really prefer homemade. I just throw some oil in the bottom of the pan, put in the kernals.... once its done, I just add a little bit of salt.. that is it. We love it!


I AGREE! We usually add a little bit of butter though. ;)
 
Try adding a little more oil to the bottom of the pot. Also, listen for the popping to start to slow. Once it starts slowing, remove it from the heat, but leave the cover on for another minute. It will continue to pop just a little. No more burning!!!

Thanks MamaLori05! I will try that. :goodvibes
 
DD and I made of bag of microwave popcorn this afternoon and we both thought it tasted funny. So it looks like we'll be trying to learn how do it the old fashioned way. Where can I buy the seasonings? I looked on Amazon, but don't want 6 containers of the same flavors.

Try Amishmart.com they have a variety of different popcorn types, and they have a lot of different seasonings for the popcorns.
 
Making popcorn "from scratch"?

Isn't that kind of like making toast "from scratch" . . . or ice "from scratch" . . . or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich "from scratch"?

ok, perhaps my words weren't exactly perfect :confused3 - I just wanted to know about the type or brand of popcorn used and if a certain popcorn popper was used.
 
the most important tip for making popcorn 'from scratch' is keep it movin! Don't stop shaking the pan or it will burn...and, no, don't use butter to cook it...the butter will burn quicker than the corn will pop.
 
If you have a mexican grocery near you, pick up some dry salsa. It is a chili and lime powder. So delicious shaken on popcorn!
 
I haven't bought microwave popcorn since my grandpa taught me how to make it on the stove.
I've used canola, olive, peanut, and coconut oil to make it. I had best results with olive and coconut oils.
I usually cover the bottom of the pot with the oil, let it get warm, and add some fresh-ground sea salt, toss in two test kernels, and once they've popped, I add enough popcorn to cover the bottom of the pot. One full layer of kernels usually is enough to fill the pot with a few 'old maids.'
Sea salt, fresh-grated parmesan, chili powder, cinnamon, or nothing at all are great popcorn flavorings. It's really easy to make, and most popcorn eaters enjoy the variations.
 
The key for me is adding the butter TO the oil so it pops in the butter.

Now I want popcorn.
 
I have a question for anyone who makes popcorn on a flat top/smooth top stove. Since you have to shake the popcorn while it is cooking, does this ruin/scratch the top of your stove???

Santa got me an air popper for Christmas, but I have been thinking about returning it and making my popcorn on the stovetop, but don't want to ruin the stove.

Thanks.
Jenny
 
I wouldn't make it on a smooth top stove. It might damage your stove and warranty.

I think the key to stop the burning is to make sure the pot is big enough. If it's still popping , but there is no more room in the pot for expansion the popcorn can't move around. It stays on the bottom, where the heat is, and will burn.
 














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