Perfect Popcorn

peanut oil

popcorn kernels, approximately 1/2 cup

popcorn salt

unsalted butter

Place the oil, popcorn and salt in a large, 6-quart, metal mixing bowl. Cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil and poke 10 slits in the top with a knife.

Place the bowl over medium heat and shake constantly using a pair of tongs to hold the bowl. Continue shaking until the popcorn finishes popping, approximately 3 minutes.

Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully remove the foil. Stir in any salt that is on the side of the bowl.

Melt the butter in the microwave. Slowly drizzle over the popcorn, while spinning the bowl. Serve immediately.

Less healthy than using an air popper but this is the tastiest popcorn I’ve ever made at home!

So very easy to make! And the best tasting popcorn with no unpopped kernels. Alton strikes gold again! 

This is a mixed review. I love the ingredients but forget using the bowl. Use a nice, heavy pan. Like a couple of other people said, I almost ruined my bowl . I’m still trying to get the bits out of it and the discoloration on the outside. It’s a very good rather expensive mixing bowl. Too bad. What I really loved was learning how to make popcorn salt. Never again will I pay for that expensive salt in the grocery store. I have salt... I have a mortar, therefore I have popcorn salt!<br />The methods are great but again don’t use the bowl use a pan!!

Used coconut oil to cook and it was yummy! There is just no substitute for old fashioned homemade. Easy, pops great and lots of flavor options! 

PERFECT!!!  I have been on the hunt for a better way to make popcorn.  I bought one of those electric popcorn air poppers.  The unit was loud and dangerously hot and the popcorn was extremely dry.  I went back to the pot, but found the popcorn was hard and chewy.  I even tried heating the oil first with only 3 kernels.  Once they popped, I added the rest of the kernels.  The popcorn was still chewy even after cracking the lid to release the steam.  <div><br /></div><div>I used olive oil to make this version of popcorn in my 5qt stainless steel Tramontina bowl from Costco.  The popcorn is perfect.  I used a Cole and Mason hand salt grinder to achieve the fine popcorn powder.  Instead of butter, I spray popcorn with olive oil in a sprayer.  Healthy and delicious!!  Thank you Alton Brown!!!  </div>

Best popcorn I’ve ever made.  I used 6 qt non-stick pot instead of the aluminum bowl...so it took a little longer to cook.  But, it was crispy and perfectly seasoned- absolutely amazing!

Absolutely delicious! My family loved it! Tastes just like movie theater popcorn, and it doesn’t even need butter. Will definitely make it again.

This is the PERFECT way to make homemade popcorn!  I tried several other recipes and none of them worked well. Popcorn was not salty enough and soggy. Pulverizing the kosher salt is really key here as it helps it adhere to the popcorn and adding it into the pot with the oil is also very important. Covering with foil with slits is also genius as it allows the steam to escape and you have perfectly crisp popcorn.  I used Canola oil as I did not have peanut oil and used a regular pot instead of a bowl. It worked just fine! This will be my go to recipe!  Thank you Alton! 

I prefer using an aluminum pot that is only used to make popcorn. I've had one for over 40 years now so it has turned all black and is well seasoned for popcorn. The key is to not wash the inside of the pot with any soap, only hot water and wipe it clean. <div>I like peanut oil, but prefer pure coconut oil instead. Gives it a nice flavor. Also I add flavacol in the oil when I heat it up instead of just salt. I think it works better, but be careful not to add too much unless you like it really salty.</div><div>What also works in popping popcorn is using a wok if you have one. Be sure to line the lid with aluminum foil before popping. Great even distribution of heat to pop all the kernels as long as you add enough oil.</div><div>Happy popping !!! </div>

https://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/perfect-popcorn-0101809

Alton Brown leaves no kernel unpopped in his search for the perfect popper.

perfect popcorn

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Total: 8 minutes

Servings: 2

Author : Alton Brown

Ingredients

Instructions

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