I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of snacks. As much as I wish I wasn’t, I am. I love cookies and cupcakes and chips. Of course eating that kind of junk all the time isn’t good for your body or your creative energy.
Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes you just have to have the exact snack you’re craving—whatever it might be. And that’s OK.
But for the times when you just need something salty, sweet or crunchy, I recommend following one of Michael Pollan’s food rules: “Eat all the junk you want, just make it yourself.”
I’m a popcorn freak! I could eat that stuff day in and day out and never get tired of it. I constantly crave movie popcorn, especially when I’m watching a movie.
As someone who’s allergic to dairy, though, movie popcorn isn’t really an option for me.
That’s why I decided to start making my own popcorn at home. And I don’t mean the microwave kind, either.
Benefits of Homemade Popcorn
Popcorn makes a great to-go snack because it travels well, you can customize the flavor with your favorite spices and it’s a whole grain, which means it’s good for you too.
Plus it’s cheap!
In the bulk section at your local grocery store you can get a pound of it for like $1.50. I buy organic popcorn kernels, which is still around the same price in bulk.
Best Popcorn Ever
Here’s my recipe for the simplest, but most delicious popcorn I’ve ever had. It tastes, to me, like movie theater popcorn only better.
Ingredients:
- organic popcorn kernels
- canola oil
- sea salt
You’ll need a popcorn machine or you can use a large pot with a lid.
What To Do:
- Heat pot on medium for a minute or two.
- Add a tablespoon or two of canola oil and move the pot around until the oil coats the entire bottom.
- Let the oil heat up for a minute or two and then carefully add about half a cup of popcorn kernels (depending on the size of your pot you may need more or less). *Be aware that the oil could splatter so be very careful.*
- Put a lid on the pot.
- Give the pot a shake or two to move the kernels around in the oil as it heats up.
- Once it starts popping, listen to it. As it slows down and you hear fewer and fewer pops turn the heat off and remove the pot.
- Remove the lid (being careful of the hot steam) and then with pot holders pour the hot popcorn into a large bowl.
- Shake sea salt, to taste, over the popcorn, being sure to shake the bowl to evenly distribute the salt.
- Enjoy!
You can use this basic recipe and customize it with any flavors and spices you like. Some of my suggestions include:
- Salt and pepper
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Cayenne pepper (if you like hot)
- Apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice
Share With Us
What’s your favorite go-to snack?
Image courtesy of veggiefrog
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I totally agree! Popcorn is the best. And until recently moving to a microwaveless location, I didn’t realize how EASY it is to make from scratch. Great Article!
@Katie Yea from scratch popcorn is amazing and since learning how to make it on my stove top, the microwave kind just tastes like cardboard!
great recipe. I’ve been thinking about pulling out my dry air popper. time for some fresh stuff.
@Lousie Definitely! Pull it out this weekend and re-live how popcorn SHOULD taste
I grew up eating popcorn made this way, it was the only way we could make it. Mom would always melt lots of butter to mix in with it. I now use a microwave popper and organic kernels with sea salt and curry powder.
Looking forward to your posts in the future, going to start the morning pages idea and will let you know how it goes.
I grew up on the microwave stuff, so making it this way was completely new to me when I originally did it a few years ago. Now I wouldn’t go back to the microwave stuff for anything! Definitely let us know how the Morning Pages thing goes
I remember making it from scratch years and years ago. Now I don’t eat it at all because of sodium thing and bp. Will have to try making from scratch again. Love popcorn.
For sure. Nothing beats making something from scratch. Not only is it better for you but it just tastes so much better too!
I actually dislike popcorn a lot
While I’m at movie or at home watching my favorite sports entertainment WRESTLING. I always prefer chips or some other snack. Popcorn chokes my throat whenever I eat and I cough cough and cough 
If you dislike popcorn I don’t recommend it. Most people love it thou, but tend to use the microwave kind, which really isnt the healthiest stuff. That’s why I posted this recipe.