I don’t watch a lot of TV in the past few years. Its not that I don’t like it, actually it is a nice escape sometimes from the real world, its just that I have very little spare time and TV is at the bottom of my priority list.
From time to time the hubby and I will get caught on a series and watch it together late nights after the girls went to bed and we finished with our night work phone meetings. Currently we are hooked up on “Orange is the new black”. I know, we are always late to the party.
When we do get around to watching TV, I like to have a snack around. I know it is a bad habit to snack in front of the TV but I don’t do it that often that its fine for me. I do prefer that the snack will be as healthy as possible. For this cause I’ll try to stick to apples, but hey, sometimes you just want something salty and warm for a snack. I am however against that store bought popcorn bags that contain added oils, preservatives, salt in unreasonable amounts and god knows what else. I like to control what goes in my popcorn.
That’s why I did some experiments and found that you can easily make stove-top popcorn without any oil. No oil you ask? that’s right, no need for it, so why waist the calories? I’ll share with you below the method that works for me. I personally eat it plain, with just a bit of added salt. However, if you are in the mood for salted caramel popcorn, check out my vegan salted caramel popcorn recipe here.
If you came here looking for oil free popcorn, I bet you’ll like other content on my blog. I use only wholefoods, no processed sugars, many gluten free recipes, and try to keep things on the healthy side generally, so go check my Recipes page!
And If you want to be updated with new recipes, Like VeganHightechMom on Facebook or register to get updates via email (This is mostly recommended as it is the only way to ensure you’ll receive the recipes. And check your spam or “Promotions” tabs, as these email might end up there sometimes).
Totally nerdy, right? But there’s another lesson in all of that science… Butter or oil isn’t necessary to make popcorn kernels pop! From what I can tell, adding butter or oil to your pot on the stove is mainly there for flavor—and maybe to keep the outsides of the kernels from burning. But definitely not to help them pop!
Since I’m running out of time to make healthier homemade versions of all those indulgences, I started with one of my family’s favorites: this Healthy Stovetop Air Popped Popcorn! We love snacking on popcorn in between batters and the seventh inning stretch, and this recipe is much healthier than the butter-laden ones at the ballpark. It’s really easy to make and has just 83 calories in each big 3 ¾ cup serving!
I always get goosebumps walking into a baseball stadium, the kind of sensation that happens when everything feels right with the world, when the stars align and you’re where you’re meant to be and your soul is just so happy. The bright green grass, the freshly raked infield dirt, the meticulously painted white chalk of the batter’s box and foul lines…
Instead, all you need to make your fresh kernels pop is a nonstick pot with a tight-fitting lid. I used one like this! The popcorn won’t stick to the nonstick pot after it pops (kind of a “duh, I knew that Amy!” statement!), and the tight-fitting lid helps contain the heat and increase the pressure inside of your popcorn kernels… Thus resulting in beautiful white popcorn pieces.
The last trick? Remember to keep shaking your pot every second or two once you’ve added the kernels! If you forgot to shake your pot, you’d end up with burnt kernels. Not good! As long as you (a) use fresh kernels, (b) keep the heat towards low, and (c) shake your pot, you’ll end up with perfect air popped popcorn!
That’s why I did some experiments and found that you can easily make stove-top popcorn without any oil. No oil you ask? that’s right, no need for it, so why waist the calories? I’ll share with you below the method that works for me. I personally eat it plain, with just a bit of added salt. However, if you are in the mood for salted caramel popcorn, check out my vegan salted caramel popcorn recipe here.
When we do get around to watching TV, I like to have a snack around. I know it is a bad habit to snack in front of the TV but I don’t do it that often that its fine for me. I do prefer that the snack will be as healthy as possible. For this cause I’ll try to stick to apples, but hey, sometimes you just want something salty and warm for a snack. I am however against that store bought popcorn bags that contain added oils, preservatives, salt in unreasonable amounts and god knows what else. I like to control what goes in my popcorn.
And If you want to be updated with new recipes, Like VeganHightechMom on Facebook or register to get updates via email (This is mostly recommended as it is the only way to ensure you’ll receive the recipes. And check your spam or “Promotions” tabs, as these email might end up there sometimes).
If you came here looking for oil free popcorn, I bet you’ll like other content on my blog. I use only wholefoods, no processed sugars, many gluten free recipes, and try to keep things on the healthy side generally, so go check my Recipes page!
I don’t watch a lot of TV in the past few years. Its not that I don’t like it, actually it is a nice escape sometimes from the real world, its just that I have very little spare time and TV is at the bottom of my priority list.
How to make Popcorn WITHOUT oil or butter! It’s very EASY!
FAQ
Can popcorn be made without oil?
Can I make popcorn with water instead of oil?
How do you get the flavor to stick to popcorn without oil?
Which oil is best for popping popcorn?
Coconut oil is the very best oil to use for popping popcorn. You’re looking for virgin (AKA: unrefined) coconut oil. It’s what makes popcorn taste like the stuff from the movies. Refined coconut oil will work from a method perspective, but it won’t give quite the same movie theater taste.
What is a substitution for cornstarch?
Flour is used as a thickener in many of the same recipes that cornstarch is used. Another option would be rice flour that is made from milled rice. It has a consistency similar to wheat flour which makes it a great alternative as a thickener where wheat flour also works well. Among other options, such as: tapioca, potato starch, mandica flour, linseed flour. The choice will depend a lot on the type of preparation.
Can you make popcorn with butter instead of oil?
You see, the best way to make popcorn with butter instead of oil is by melting the butter on the pan, adding the kernels, and heating until they pop. However, the problem is that regular butter has a low smoke point, which means that odds are your butter will start to smoke or burn before all the kernels have popped. The solution? Clarified butter.
Can you pop popcorn on the stove with water instead of oil?
In my quest to put the Internet’s most intriguing, promising and potentially mind-blowing tips to the test, I stumbled onto a tip I had never heard before: you can pop popcorn on the stove with a tablespoon of water instead of oil. A fat-free popcorn option for those of us without an air popper or a microwave?