It’s movie night. You have a showstopping blockbuster to watch, so of course, you need a showstopping snack to eat, too!
Popcorn lovers, lend me your ears! Or, er, eyes… or mouths? Movie night is always a cause for celebration because it gives me an excuse to put this recipe to good use and make a BIG bowl of fluffy popcorn!
With just the right amount of butter, a sweet touch from the honey, and a hint of flaky sea salt, the days of microwave popcorn are no more!
Once you’ve tried this method, you won’t believe you spent so much of your life waiting for the bag to expand – just so you could eat the processed popcorn that is not only bad for you but doesn’t taste anything like popcorn should. So get ready to transform your movie-watching experience; before you cue up Netflix, cue up this recipe!
Is Stovetop Popcorn healthy?
Popcorn is a whole grain, it’s low in calories, and is a good source of fiber. On its own, it makes for an ideal snack. You only encounter complications through the preparation methods and additives; this is why microwaveable popcorn is considered bad for you. Many microwave popcorn brands are high in sodium and saturated fats, and you have limited knowledge about what ingredients are in the seasoning to give it the classic buttery flavor.
When it’s in your own hands, you can decide what to add to the popcorn. Opt for olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil to help the kernels heat up and puff up, and as for the toppings, butter and honey – as featured in this recipe – are good in moderation. But if you want to try a different combination, look at the ‘Variations’ section below.
Best Popcorn Topping Variations
There really is no limit to what you can put on your popcorn, thanks to its mild flavor! You can buy shakers of flavorings at the grocery store, but I would suggest sticking to whole ingredients to guarantee you know exactly what’s going onto your kernels.
Garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast (yes, really), chili powder, powdered Parmesan cheese, and dried dill will make for an excellent savory treat, while cinnamon and sugar can be used for a sweet twist. I also love to make my own Homemade Caramel Sauce and coat the popped popcorn in it for a homemade version that is so, so much better than the store-bought stuff!
How to make ahead and store
To maintain its crunchy texture, it’s best to store popcorn that you’ve made ahead without any toppings or seasonings on it. Let it cool completely before storing, then transfer it to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Try to remove as much air from the container as possible to preserve the freshness.
Store the container or bag in a cool, dark place (a pantry or cupboard works), away from direct sunlight and heat sources. It should last for up to 5 days, though the sooner you eat the popcorn, the better it will taste.
For any leftover popcorn, store it in the same way, just know that the seasonings and toppings can make the popcorn soften faster.
Serving Suggestions
Keep the healthy movie night snacks flowing! Alongside this stovetop popcorn, I also love to serve up some Homemade Hummus with lots of fresh veggies and Air Fryer Potato Chips for dipping. For a sweet treat, I love to make these Chocolate-Covered Raspberries and these Chewy Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips. To make it really feel like a movie theater at home, my family love these Hot Dogs with Chili – you can’t go wrong!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt Maldon salt preferred
Instructions
- Put 1/4 cup of coconut oil and 3 popcorn kernels in a Dutch oven or big pot.
- Cover the pot and warm on medium-high until all 3 kernels pop.
- Take the 3 popped kernels out of the pot, and then remove the pot from the heat. Add the rest of the popcorn kernels to the pot, cover it, and wait for 30 seconds until the popcorn starts to pop.
- Put the pot back on the heat and shake it occasionally while the popcorn pops.
- While the popcorn is popping, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and mix in 1 tablespoon of honey.
- When the popping slows down considerably – this usually takes about 2 to 5 minutes – take off the lid to let the steam escape, as this will keep the popcorn crispy.
- Once the popcorn is done, pour the butter-honey mixture over it and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt. Toss everything together until the popcorn is well coated.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment