Homemade Healthy Popcorn — Movie Theater Style

How to make a healthy version of that movie theater popcorn we all love. This popcorn is made at home, free from hydrogenated oils and artificial colors and flavors.

Why is it that we love to eat what’s bad for us? Even when we KNOW what ingredients are used and how detrimental they can be?

Movie theater popcorn, for example. I love that stuff! It tastes so good. When I was a kid, I’d love to get all that buttery topping they’d squirt over the top. Now that I have more refined taste buds, I find that I don’t like the fake butter sauce so much anymore.

After all, I’m a student of bringing healthy meals to my family’s table. I’ve read articles, blogs, and followed traditional food methods. I’ve learned about the dangers lurking in food on the shelves that line the inside aisles of the grocery store. HINT: stay away from there; shop the outside walls mainly.

Is Your Popcorn Killing You?

Popcorn found at the theater or in convenient microwaveable bags contain hydrogenated oils.

Not to mention their “butter” flavorings that are produced by artificial colors and flavors.

Heart trouble, anyone? How about serious health concerns like Alzheimer’s from artificial flavors? SOURCE here and here

There IS a better way to snack!

So when I learned a better way to make the simplest of snacks the right way —the healthy way— I never looked back. And it’s ruined us for any popcorn that isn’t made right, by the way.

Microwave popcorn? No thanks. Again, read the ingredients. Besides, we don’t have a microwave anymore.

Air popper? Yes, please! Popcorn on the stove? Now we’re talk’n!

Video Homemade Healthy Popcorn

Try My Other Healthy Snack Options

You can find recipes for the snacks we regularly enjoy here at the farmhouse on my Simple Food: Whole Foods From Scratch, Snacks page. There’s recipes for yogurt, chia squeeze, and granola!

Popcorn Supplies

Popping corn — I order organic and in bulk from Azure

Red Palm Oil

Good quality sea or himalayan salt — again, I get mine from Azure, or Costco

Large, heavy-bottomed, stainless steel stock pot — if you don’t have one, here’s a good entry level one

Ingredients for Homemade Healthy Movie Theater Popcorn

1 generous cup of popcorn kernels

3 rounded tablespoons of red palm oil

Good quality sea salt, or himalayan salt, to taste

Steps To Make Homemade Healthy Popcorn

1. Set your stock pot on the burner and turn on to HI, or just below, depending on how hot your stove runs.
2. Place 3 rounded tablespoons of red palm oil in pot to melt.
3. Once oil is melted, add 1 rounded cup of popcorn kernels. Shake the pot to coat all the kernels with the oil.
4. Place the lid on the pot and wait for the sound of popping.
5. Once the corn starts to pop, move and shake the pot in a circular motion on the burner to help keep the kernels from burning.
6. When the popping slows to 2-3 seconds in between, remove the pot from the heat.
7. Quickly remove the lid, being careful not the drip the collected condensation into the pot.
8. Generously salt the popcorn and gently stir. Enjoy!

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How Much Popcorn Do You Eat?

Tell me in the comments if you like to make popcorn at home! How do you like to make it? Is it a regular, go-to snack for your family? Do you pack it in lunches? Eat it for dinner? (We might have done that once!)