A while back I decided to have a grand old time with Dear Son teaching him a valuable life and college student skill – making popcorn in a pot. To quote dear college age son “when you’re in college you don’t have a lot of money and popcorn is cheap to make”. Don’t you love it when they finally learn some important life lessons? Anyway, DS (Dear Son) was loving the super spicy Mexican Chili Popcorn I’ve been making and it was time to give him popcorn wings and let him fly. (Can you hear the inspirational music in the background?).
We had a fabulous time coming up with new, creative popcorn flavors while teaching DS the fine art of popcorn popping. Many of the recipes came under the “Just because you can” category. Six gallon bags of flavored popped popcorn later I can honestly say I’m super proud of my quick learning DS and his popcorn making ability – he’s on the Matten Dean’s list! To quote DS after he read this article “I am so smart”. I am officially calling today “Fun with Popcorn Day”. SO fun!! And the best part – spending time with DS. Priceless.
So many types of popcorn…so little time
In the past I’ve made Hot Chocolate Popcorn so making other flavors based upon DS’s creativity (and mine too!) wasn’t too much of a stretch.
My favorite Air Pop Popcorn ingredients
Basic Popcorn in a Pot
This is the basic recipe for making popcorn on a stovetop. The key is making sure the oil gets hot enough for the kernels to pop. Once they reach that temperature, you can turn the heat down slightly making sure the kernels are still popping. It’s essential that you keep shaking the pot side to side and back and forth so the popcorn doesn’t stick or burn.
Basic Popcorn in a Pot
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 15 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Kosher
Description
This is it! The basic popcorn in a pot recipe you’ve been looking for. It’s perfect for adding your favorite toppings without a lot of fat.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil (canola)
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels (I like Orville Redinbacher – it does pop better!)
- popcorn salt (optional)
Instructions
- Place the oil in the bottom of a 6-8 quart pot with a tight fitting lid.
- I love using a pot with a glass lid so you can have fun watching the popcorn pop.
- Rotate the pot so the oil completely covers the bottom.
- Add the popcorn then cover the pot with the lid.
- Turn the heat up to high, constantly shaking the pan in a front back motion to keep the popcorn from burning.
- When the corn starts to pop, turn the heat down to medium-high and continue shaking the pot.
- When the popping slows down to the point where nearly all the corn has popped, turn of the heat leaving the pot on the burner, allowing the remaining kernels to pop.
- Transfer to a large bowl and sprinkle with popcorn salt.
Notes
I like to use the Kernel Seasons popcorn seasoning. It packs a lot of flavor with just a little. I’ve also found awesome popcorn salt at GFS. Just be careful, a little goes a long way.
Keywords: Popcorn, Pot Popcorn, Popcorn in a pot, gluten free, dairy free, snack
Hot Chocolate Salted Caramel Popcorn
This is the easiest way to make Hot Chocolate Salted Caramel popcorn. You can also make it using the method in the Gourmet Chocolate Drizzle Hot Chocolate popcorn. The Salted Caramel from Starbucks is dairy, but there are other non-dairy hot chocolate mixes on the market that you can use as well to keep the recipe pareve.
Hot Chocolate Salted Caramel Popcorn
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 15 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Poping
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Kosher
Description
When you have the craving for something crunchy and chocolatey, this is it!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons canola oil (optional)
- 1 packet Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix
- Non-stick vegetable spray
Instructions
- Pop the corn, then place it in a large bowl. Spray the corn thoroughly with non-stick vegetable spray until completely coated. Toss the popcorn with the hot chocolate mix until completely coated, spraying with additional vegetable spray if necessary. Serve, then make another batch because it goes fast!
Equipment
Buy Now →
Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels
Buy Now →
Castle Kitchen Sugar Free Double Dutch Premium Dark Hot Chocolate Mix with Monkfruit
Buy Now →Keywords: Popcorn, Chocolate Popcorn, Snack, Gluten Free, Plant Based
Hibiscus Flower Popcorn
Developing the recipe…over and over and over…
Hibiscus Flower Popcorn
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 15 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Kosher
Description
Light, tangy, fruity and slightly sweet, this popcorn is made with super healthy Hibiscus Flower popcorn. It’s the perfect healthy snack, and the gorgeous color is perfect for festive get togethers.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/2 cup plant based margarine or butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons Hibiscus Flower Powder
Instructions
- Air pop the popcorn into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Place a large full sheet pan sized piece of parchment or Silpat mats on the counter. Save for later.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the margarine with the sugar, then raise the heat to medium and bring to a boil.
- Allow the mixture to boil for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat
- Add the water and the Hibiscus Flower powder. Stir to combine.
- Pour the Hibiscus Flower Glaze over the popcorn. Toss using a large heat proof spatula, making sure all the popcorn kernels are coated.
- Spread the coated popcorn onto the prepared parchment/Silpat mat. Allow to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container.
Equipment
GlutenFree Hibiscus Flower Powder
Buy Now → Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Hot Air Popper
Buy Now →Keywords: Hibiscus, Hibiscus Flower, Hibiscus Powder, Hibiscus Popcorn, Popcorn, Gluten Free, Plant Based, Dairy Free, Festive, Snack, Holiday snack
Mexican Chili Popcorn
Although you all know that we love spicy food. Ordering out for dinner at Great Chicago Food and Beverage Company we both order Kung Pao Beef/Chicken. Spicy!
As you can tell from the content of this post, Dear Husband and I love to snack on popcorn. We usually air pop a huge bowl, spray it with butter flavored non-stick spray, then sprinkle on the Kernel Season’s white cheddar seasoning. OMG – it’s SO good!
We can easily polish off an entire bowl during a movie, or tv show, or waiting for a movie/tv show to start.
It’s kind of like Kung Pao Popcorn…isn’t it?
It’s a really simple transition to go from eating incredible, fiery Kung Pao Chicken/Beef, to spicy popcorn – right? This time I made the popcorn in a pot instead of air popping it. In order to make the popcorn really hot, I used a little bit of chili oil and heated the crushed Mexican Chili in the oil. It really brought out the heat of the peppers!
Super spicy? We love it!!!
I then added the popcorn kernels, tightly covered the pot and a few minutes later – perfectly popped hot popcorn. I added a little popcorn salt for additional flavor too.
The popcorn is awesome. It has a subtle heat to it that somehow manages to get hotter as you eat it. For those that like it hot, this is the perfect snack!! Dear Husband was very very happy.
And that makes me happy too!
Mexican Chili Popcorn
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Kosher
Description
The perfect, easy to make snack for those that like it hot baby!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons chili oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed Mexican chili’s or crushed red pepper (or more if you like it really hot!)
- Popcorn salt
Instructions
- Follow the directions for the Basic Popcorn in a Pot using chili oil and adding the mexican chili’s to the oil with the popcorn. Sprinkle with popcorn salt after popping
Equipment
Buy Now →
Zeta The Land Of Galilee, Oil Olive Extra Virgin With Hot Peppers
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels
Buy Now →Notes
If you don’t have chili oil on hand you can substitute canola or avocado oil.
If you want to make this crazy hot, use super spicy ground peppers.
FYI, when eating super spicy foods and you want to cool down your mouth from all that heat, don’t drink water! The water spreads the heat all around your mouth and may even make the burning sensation even worse. Eat some bread or crackers, they help to absorb most of the spiciness having a party in your mouth.
Keywords: Chili Popcorn, Spicy Popcorn, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut free, Festive, Party Snack
Apple Cider Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons canola oil (optional)
- 2 packets instant apple cider (you can use sugar-free for fewer calories too)
- Non-stick vegetable spray
Instructions
- Follow the directions for the Basic Popcorn in a Pot or air-pop unpopped popcorn kernels.
- Thoroughly spray the popcorn with non-stick vegetable spray.
- Sprinkle the apple cider over the popcorn and toss until the popcorn is completely coated.
- Serve with your favorite cup of apple cider!
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