Popcorn Ideas??

[newtodis]

I'm thinking about purchasing an air pop popcorn maker and making popcorn that way instead of buying the Movie Theater Butter pour over popcorn (yup...we're kind of picky like that ). Does anyone have any ideas or recepies to make the air popped popcorn taste as good as the microwave kind? I've only ever tried to melt butter on it and that makes the popcorn all soggy which isn't good at all. I like the idea that the air popped stuff is cheaper and healthier...I just need some help with ideas to make it taste as yummy so no one's bummed about not having the other kind. Due to DS4's peanut allergy, whatever suggested would have to be peanut free please

If you've got a popcorn popper, what kind is it and do you like it?? Is it easy to store and clean?

TIA for any help you could provide!

 

[ceecee]

Air popped is cheaper and healthier (without the butter!) I used one for years while on my fat free diet and just used salt. If you have a Goodwill nearby they usually have tons of them for a buck! We were joking about how many people donate their unused hot air machines. Mine had a little cup that melted butter while the corn was popping, but I never used it.

 

[lalagrace]

I pop mine in the microwave using a plain brown paper bag. I got the idea from the food network alton brown. place 1/4 cup popcorn, 1 tsp olive oil fold over top of bag an place in microwave for 21/2 or 3 min.
it is so easy, and tastes great. I don;t have alot of ideas for adding flavors.. but I'll check back and see what others do.

 

[Scornelius]

I really don't think there's any way to make it taste nearly as good without piling on the calories. Unfortunately, salt and fat are delicious! I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone has any good ideas, though!

 

[dismom24]

We bought a hot air microwave popper at Walmart. You pour in 1/4 cup of popcorn and 3 1/2 minutes later it is all popped. We then spray it with I can't Believe it's not butter (or sometimes real butter) and also sprinkle with ranch or cheddar (also sold at Walmart near the popcorn).

 

[branv]

I just bought the Whirly Pop and it's GREAT!! It is not, however, oil free though with trial and error I've gotten it down to 1 tbsp of canola oil for 1/3 cup of kernels. Not too bad Personally I've never found a way to make popcorn taste very good without some oil on top, but I have found a way to keep it from being soggy or as bad for you:

1) don't add any oils immediately after popping...wait for the popcorn to cool a little. And you'd be surprised how little butter/oil you need as topping any way (at most, 2-3 tbsp for 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels). Too much is always going to equal soggy.

2) I use olive oil instead of butter -- it has the same calories as butter, but no saturated fats, and you're getting the good kind of cholesterol And, to me anyway, it tastes exactly like unsalted butter. If I really want to push the butter flavor, I melt half butter/half olive oil. I've found that this not only makes it healthier, but the popcorn stays crisper, the topping goes much further (i.e. you need less) and you don't get that thing where the butter eventually cools and gets weird clotty tasting.

3) I have read that some people buy the butter-flavored cooking spray. It didn't do enough for me, but some people enjoy it.

4) Lessen the amount of oil you put on top, and try some funky flavors like a little parm cheese, cinnamon and sugar, herbs, salt AND pepper, etc.

Hope that helps!

 

[mel63]

One thing about air-popped is if you add anything "wet" to it, it "melts." You would be better off making it on the stove with a little oil in the pot, then add your topping.

 

[mjkacmom]

One thing about air-popped is if you add anything "wet" to it, it "melts." You would be better off making it on the stove with a little oil in the pot, then add your topping.

We just use a big pot on the stove - and then DH throws in a stick of butter - LOL! He only makes it about 6 times a year, though, and it's SO YUMMY! I don't think there is anyway to make air popcorn taste like buttery popcorn - I usually use the 94% ff microwavable bags, and although tasty, it doesn't compare to DH's!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't like air popped popcorn, too dry. I would have to add a LOT of butter. Sort of defeats the purpose. I like to use a heave saucepan with a tight lid and pop it right on the stove with Orville Redenbacker's Buttery Oil. Less fat that drizzling butter, great flavor, and popcorn pops fluffier on the stove. Easy as pie, and easier cleanup than a popper.

 

[donald&daisy]

As it comes out of the popper I spray it with Pam and sprinkle ButterBuds on it (helps it stick). Is it like movie theater popcorn? No, but it is so much better for me that I'm ok with it. You could try another substance besides ButterBuds that would give it more flavor (aka calories).

 

[DisneyTigers]

In my experience, if you wait until the hot air popped popcorn cools to add the melted butter, the popcorn won't "melt."

 

[DISNEYNV]

I use Orville Redenbachers Popping and Topping popcorn oil. It's not healthy but it tastes like the movie butter topping. Looks like it too. It's pretty yummy on air popped popcorn! Doesn't contain peanut oil but does soybean oil as main ingredient.

 

[Fairy Mom]

I have a shaker of Kraft Mac N Cheese "Cheese" Sprinkle. I bought it in the spice section a couple years ago. It's just like the cheese from the box.

I just sprinkle and enjoy.

I have also heard of dusting popcorn with powdered sugar.

Look in the spice section of the store for Molly Mcbutter.

Look in the popcorn section for popcorn favor shakers. They are expensive.

You can probably come up with your own combinations...cinnamon sugar (splenda), spicy tabasco...from your pantry.

 

[nelep]

parmesan cheese and a little fresh cracked pepper. Oh, and a little butter makes this even better! Mmmmmmm.

 

[rparmfamily]

I make mine on the stove w/olive oil and then use salt and I can't believe it's not butter (no fat/calories) spray and eat it immediately. YUM!

 

[TrolleyGirl]

I love my Whirly-Pop popcorn popper too!! I've had it for years. I like it so much I usually give out at least one each year as a Christmas gift.

I make Carmel Corn all the time. Here's the receipe.....

2/3 c kernels popped. Seperate into to equal portions between 2 large aluminum turkey roasting pans.

Heat in saucepan on stovetop. 1/2c butter(not margerine) 1/2 c corn sryup, 1/2 c brown sugar, 1/2 t salt. Heat & stir for 5 minutes. Take off heat, add 1/2 t vanilla extract. Pour over popcorn in roasters, mix well.

Bake popcorn in oven at 250' for 1 hour. Stir gently every 15 minutes.

After this comes out of the oven you can mix in additional items, raisins, peanuts, candy corn, etc.

Stores great in ziploc gallon bags.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

parmesan cheese and a little fresh cracked pepper. Oh, and a little butter makes this even better! Mmmmmmm.

ooh, I forgot how much I loved buttered popcorn with parmesan cheese..thanks for the reminder!

 

[momoffourkids]

My favorite topping for air popped popcorn is peanut butter:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 corn syrup
bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat and Add 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter and 1 tsp vanill. Pour over a big bowl of popcorn. This stuff is so good I can't stop eating it!!

 

[vsimeone]

I use a couple tablespoons of cheap-o Kraft Parmesian cheese and a few sprinkles of garlic salt - YUMMO!

 

[becky7953]

Another vote for the "I can't believe it's not butter spray!!! Love it!