Homemade Popcorn (Stovetop)
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Learn how to make perfect Homemade Popcorn on your stovetop! This easy popcorn recipe is perfectly buttered and salted just like at the movie theatre. Make a bowl and cuddle up on the couch and watch your favorite movie!

If you’re like me, you need something to munch on when you’re watching a movie…especially if it’s mystery or suspense! But I also got super tired of spending so.much.money. on a regular sized popcorn at the movie theater. It’s just up-charged like crazy because they know we’ll pay for the buttery goodness, right?
So, I learned to make this amazing movie theater popcorn at home! Believe it or not, you can make homemade popcorn that tastes just like the stuff you’d get a theater. I love to whip up a batch of this popcorn for family movie night, and if I have time I’ll even make homemade peanut butter cups. Then, it’s just like buying popcorn and Reese’s before a movie…but you can stay in your PJ’s and sit on a comfy couch!
Why You’ll Love Homemade Popcorn
- Making stovetop popcorn at home tastes so much better than a bag of microwavable popcorn!
- This movie theater butter recipe is healthier than many of the store-bought popcorns you could purchase.
- Your whole house will smell amazing after making this, creating the perfect atmosphere for a movie night!
Ingredients for this Homemade Popcorn Recipe
- Yellow Popcorn Kernels – I prefer to use yellow popcorn kernels, but you could also use white popcorn. Yellow popcorn is most commonly used at movie theaters!
- Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is a healthier choice to pop your popcorn in, but you could also use vegetable oil or olive oil.
- Butter – I like to use unsalted butter so that I can control the amount of salt I add, but you could also use salted butter.
- Salt – You can’t have good popcorn without a little salt!
Helpful Tools
How to Make Homemade Popcorn
In a large skillet, melt your coconut oil and add one popcorn kernel. Once that kernel pops, add all of your popcorn kernels to the pan and place a lid on top.
Give the pan a good shake and make sure that every kernel has oil on it. Once all the kernels have popped, pour the popcorn into a large mixing bowl.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt you stick of butter. Allow the melted butter to cool and then drizzle half of it over the popcorn. Place a lid on the bowl and shake it.
Open the bowl and add the rest of the butter and all of the salt. Close the bowl again and shake well.
Add anything else you’d like, and then snack away!
How to Store Leftover Homemade Popcorn
Once your popcorn is fully cooled, place it in an airtight container or a bag and store for 4-5 days.
How do I keep my popcorn from getting soggy when I pour butter on it?
Make sure your butter is thoroughly cooled before you pour it over your popcorn. And be sure that you are drizzling the butter over all the popcorn and not just one section. That way, there’s not a soggy puddle in the middle of a big bowl of homemade popcorn.
Pro-Tips for the Best Homemade Popcorn
- Season your delicious stovetop popcorn with seasoned popcorn salts! You can find them at your grocery store near the popcorn flavors. They have flavors like cheddar, butter, ranch, and caramel corn.
- Pour some M&M’s into your bowl of freshly made popcorn and you’ve got the perfect sweet and salty snack.
- Be sure to use a large pan so there is plenty of space for the kernels to pop.
Ready to step up family movie night? Then make this homemade popcorn and make some memories!
More Popcorn Recipes You’ll Love
- Love a sweet and salty snack? Try this Homemade Popcorn with Butterscotch.
- I love making this Valentine Snack Mix around Valentine’s Day!
- This Oven Baked Caramel Corn is so yummy!
- Have an Instant Pot? Try this Instant Pot Popcorn for a quick snack!
- Make this Caramel Puff Corn, the best sweet and salty treat for the holidays or any time you need a quick and easy snack!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Homemade Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¾ cup yellow popcorn
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted, (1 stick)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- On medium-high to high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Place one kernel of popcorn in the pan.
- Once the one kernel pops, add ¾ of a cup of yellow popcorn kernels into the pan and cover with a lid immediately. Shake the pan to coat all the kernels with oil. Once all the kernels have popped, remove the pan from the heat.
- Place the popcorn into a large bowl that has a lid. Melt 1 stick of unsalted butter in the microwave for approximately 1 minute. Once melted, drizzle ½ of the butter over the popcorn, place the lid on the bowl and shake. Open the bowl, add the remaining butter and ½ teaspoon of salt, and give it a good shake to ensure all the popcorn is coated with butter and salt.
- Pour into your favorite large serving bowl and enjoy!
Tips
- Once your popcorn is fully cooled, place it in an airtight container or a bag and store for 4-5 days.
- Season your delicious stovetop popcorn with seasoned popcorn salts! You can find them at your grocery store near the popcorn flavors. They have flavors like cheddar, butter, ranch, and caramel corn.
- Pour some M&M’s into your bowl of freshly made popcorn and you’ve got the perfect sweet and salty snack.
- Be sure to use a large pan so there is plenty of space for the kernels to pop.
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