Did you know that stovetop popcorn has more flavor than micro waved popcorn? It’s true, and I’ll tell you why in just a minute. But first, let me ask you this…have you ever popped your own popcorn on the stove? If not, I highly recommend it! While it does take more time and effort, there are several benefits to making stovetop popcorn over the microwave method that I think are worth consideration.

The History | Why Is Stovetop Popcorn So Good?

A stovetop popcorn maker is nothing more than a metal pot with a tightly fitted lid. The advantage of stovetop poppers over electric models is that stove-popped corn has less hull, which gives it a lighter and fluffier texture. And there’s no worries about using artificial flavors—the kernels are heated on an open flame, so you can use real butter if you want. 

If you don’t mind eating un-buttered popcorn or prefer to add your own seasonings and flavors, consider buying your own nonstick popcorn popper. These cookers come in all shapes and sizes and let you pop up to 14 cups of hot cereal at once.

The Variations

A great thing about stovetop popcorn is that it’s super easy to personalize—adjusting seasonings, butter and oil as needed. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to add a spicy kick or some Parmesan cheese for extra savory flavor. For a rich treat, melt some chocolate chips with your favorite nuts or dried fruit, then drizzle over homemade popcorn for a delicious combination. 

You can even try adding different flavors of syrups (maybe caramel, mint or vanilla) before popping your corn! With so many options and endless possibilities for experimentation, making your own stovetop popcorn gives you total control over ingredients and flavor combinations—which means that no matter how long you keep popping on that stovetop, nothing will taste quite like yours.

The Benefits | Why Is Stovetop Popcorn So Good?

Unlike microwave popcorn, stovetop pop corn uses actual oil and butter to pop. Both are extremely flavorful, meaning that when you bite into it, you get a good taste of what real popcorn should be like (which is nothing like those microwavable bags). Since it’s only heated on your stove instead of being popped in a microwave, it also has more vitamins than its packaged counterpart. 

If you’re looking for a guilt-free snack that will satisfy even your most intense craving for salty goodness and buttery deliciousness, consider switching over to stovetop pop corn. You won’t regret it!

How to Make Great Stovetop Popcorn

You can pop popcorn on a stovetop, or in an air popper, and get great results, but I’ve found that if you use both methods together, you get even better results. This is my step-by-step guide to making stovetop popcorn with a built-in air popper: 

1. Pour 1 Tbsp of oil into a pot and heat it up on high

 2. Once the oil gets hot (or before), pop your corn according to these instructions

 3. You want to keep popping until your pot is full – or almost full – of popcorn 

4. Now take out some kernels with either a measuring cup or another bowl 

5. Place them in your stovetop popper 6. Let that go for about one minute 7.

Why does stovetop popcorn taste better?

In most recipes, stovetop pop popcorn is made by cooking oil in a pot and then adding popcorn kernels to it. This differs from microwave pop corn, which starts with cooked kernels that are then heated with microwaves. It’s not clear why these two cooking methods produce popcorn that tastes different—there are no butter flavoring chemicals added to stovetop corn—but there are a few possible explanations. 

First of all, your pot may play a role in flavor development. If you’re using an anodized aluminum pot or stainless steel, they’ll cause less sticking than copper or cast iron and contribute less flavor.

Is stovetop popcorn healthier?

Popcorn is a natural, whole-grain snack that’s both low in calories and free of artificial ingredients. When you make it at home with your stovetop, you can control how much (or little) oil is used. Popping your own means that you also get to use real butter—which has its own health benefits—instead of fake stuff. As a bonus, those cute red kernels don’t have any genetically modified organisms either. The fact that homemade popcorn tastes so much better than movie theater popcorn helps too!

Is popcorn better on the stove or in the microwave?

No matter how you make it, popcorn is a comfort food. The smell of it cooking on the stove or in a bag in a microwave reminds many people of watching movies at home or hanging out with friends. And, as we all know, popcorn makes for an excellent snack. However, not all popcorn is created equal. Whether you prefer your popcorn on a movie night at home or are more likely to chow down on it during a trip to your local theater, there’s much more to taste than what meets the eye. 

We’re going to take a look at how each type of popcorn is made and evaluate which method gives us that signature taste that we love so much. That way you can decide which way will give you that perfect batch next time hunger strikes!

Why is Stovetop Popcorn Chewy?

Adding melted butter to your corn kernels before you pop them will result in a stickier consistency. The longer the kernels are exposed to warm air, the more moisture they’ll release, causing them to become even stickier. 

With all that moisture inside, it’s no wonder stovetop popcorn is so much chewier than microwave popcorn—and it also means that you can eat more without worrying about feeling like you just ate two bags of chips! Need a lighter alternative? See if using olive oil instead of butter gives you similar results.

Great Northern Popcorn Original Stainless Steel Stove Top 6-1/2-Quart Popcorn Popper

Conclusion

We find that stovetop popcorn can sometimes taste even better than air-popped popcorn. The truth is that it really depends on how it’s made. If you follow a few simple steps, you can make stovetop popcorn just as good as any of those movie theatre containers.