Air-popped vs. oil-popped popcorn

aepdx
aepdx Posts: 218 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi All,

I am confused here. When I make popcorn, I put a bit of oil in a pan and pop it that way. That is considered oil-popped in the database right? A lot higher in calories than air-popped. :/. How do you air-pop it on the stove?? Not going to have a microwave for much longer.

Thanks!
«1

Replies

  • ScatteredThoughts
    ScatteredThoughts Posts: 3,562 Member
    I've never heard of air popping on a stove. We used to have one of the appliances specifically for air popping, and it worked great; they are not expensive.
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    You cannot 'air pop' on the stove.

    If you are getting rid of your microwave, you will need to purchase an air popper from the store. They are about $10-$20.

    otherwise, for air-popped in the microwave you can just put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a small brown paper bag, fold the top down and put in there on 'high' for 3-4 minutes.
  • TheWiseCat
    TheWiseCat Posts: 297
    I prefer mine baked... in the form of a tortilla chip.
  • TexasTwinTwo
    TexasTwinTwo Posts: 12 Member
    otherwise, for air-popped in the microwave you can just put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a small brown paper bag, fold the top down and put in there on 'high' for 3-4 minutes.

    What a great idea...I'm definitely trying this!
    S~
  • Lyerin
    Lyerin Posts: 818 Member
    I have an air popper that I use ALL the time (and I've had it for more than a decade). It is awesome, and I love it even though it only performs one function.

    I recently got some buttery popcorn at the local farmer's market (by that I mean the actual popcorn kernals are naturally buttery). It is really, really good.
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
    I log the amount of oil I use for stove-top popcorn and just track the popcorn and oil separately. I only use 1 tsp of oil for 3TB unpopped popcorn and it tastes so much better than air-popped I find the extra calories to be worth it (mmm coconut oil!)
  • moosesadams1
    moosesadams1 Posts: 3 Member
    I have popped pop corn in a non-stick pan before. I spray the pan with buttery Pam and sprinkle with salt or Parmesan cheese or chili powder. It pops okay.

    I prefer to put 1/4 cup plain popcorn in a brown bag that's been spritzed with buttery Pam and some sort of seasoning--even cinnamon. I fold it down one fold and put one staple which seems to do okay. This is good!

    Good luck!
  • NaurielR
    NaurielR Posts: 429 Member
    That would be considered oil popped popcorn, but if you do it that way, it's best to log the popcorn as "air popped" and log the oil separately. That's much more accurate than logging the popcorn as "oil popped" because you don't know how much oil is being used for that entry in the database.

    It is possible to make air popped popcorn on the stove. I've done it in a large non stick pan. It takes skill, finesse, and lots of experience to do it and since you have to keep the pan in constant motion it's pretty labor intensive. However, I find that you don't have nearly as many left over kernals as you do with an air popping machine. That being said, I've converted to using an air popper, just for the ease of use.
  • avababy05
    avababy05 Posts: 930 Member
    Just bought an air popper.

    I love it and it never misses a kernal
  • NaurielR
    NaurielR Posts: 429 Member
    Just bought an air popper.

    I love it and it never misses a kernal

    What kind did you get? I have an Orville Redenbacher. It works pretty well, but you have to tilt it back so the kernals don't get spit out when it's popping, and after popping 1/2 cup there seems to be at least 1.5 tablespoons of kernals leftover.
  • jamebb
    jamebb Posts: 86 Member
    You can air pop on the stove top. In my experience it just never works out quite as well but it comes out a bit chewy and scorched tasting even when it's not actually burned. Even just a tablespoon or so of oil makes it taste much better!
  • lkm111
    lkm111 Posts: 629 Member
    I log the amount of oil I use for stove-top popcorn and just track the popcorn and oil separately. I only use 1 tsp of oil for 3TB unpopped popcorn and it tastes so much better than air-popped I find the extra calories to be worth it (mmm coconut oil!)

    I have to agree! If you are able to control your oil and you have calories left it is a very satisfying snack.
  • emcwilli
    emcwilli Posts: 63 Member
    I have an air popper that I use ALL the time (and I've had it for more than a decade). It is awesome, and I love it even though it only performs one function.

    I recently got some buttery popcorn at the local farmer's market (by that I mean the actual popcorn kernals are naturally buttery). It is really, really good.

    ^ This sounds *amazing* do you know what it's called/if you can find it online?
  • calculustiger
    calculustiger Posts: 39
    I air pop it on the stove all the time. Usually only 1-2 get unpopped per 2 tbsp, and it doesn't burn (at least I don't think it does). You just need to be near it while you make it; it takes approximately 5-10 minutes.
  • sambor2
    sambor2 Posts: 11 Member
    You cannot air pop on the stove top. Put the popcorn in a paper bag and put in the microwave. Its wonderfull.
  • cacleghorn
    cacleghorn Posts: 61 Member
    otherwise, for air-popped in the microwave you can just put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a small brown paper bag, fold the top down and put in there on 'high' for 3-4 minutes.

    I've burned bags this way, hahaha. But it works, once you know your microwave!

    You could also try using Bragg's Liquid Aminos or vinegar (which are both ~0 cal), instead of oil. I'm not sure if that would work, but you use oil because it has a higher boiling point than water, and because it imparts flavor. Theorectically, you could substitute it with something else, right? :)
  • calculustiger
    calculustiger Posts: 39
    Here: super easy directions to making popcorn, without oil, on the stove.

    http://theveganronin.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/oil-free-perfectly-popped-popcorn/
  • luan999
    luan999 Posts: 87 Member
    i bought a popcorn maker last month on special offer from amazon last month-absolutely brilliant air-popped popcorn in seconds!!!:wink:
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I log the amount of oil I use for stove-top popcorn and just track the popcorn and oil separately. I only use 1 tsp of oil for 3TB unpopped popcorn and it tastes so much better than air-popped I find the extra calories to be worth it (mmm coconut oil!)

    I do this as well. Logging the oil and the popcorn separately is more accurate anyway...and yes, the taste is oh so worth the extra calories.
  • aepdx
    aepdx Posts: 218 Member
    thank you!! I am totally getting a popcorn maker.

    I keep burning the popcorn because I am using too little oil (to avoid the cals), then it turns into an epic fail. But, yes, it is amazingly delicious.

    Thank you for all of your wonderful popcorn tips!
  • aepdx
    aepdx Posts: 218 Member
    Here: super easy directions to making popcorn, without oil, on the stove.

    http://theveganronin.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/oil-free-perfectly-popped-popcorn/

    ...but in the meantime. thank you!
  • jem33199
    jem33199 Posts: 80 Member

    otherwise, for air-popped in the microwave you can just put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a small brown paper bag, fold the top down and put in there on 'high' for 3-4 minutes.

    I do something similar and it's delicious. I take a small brown paper bag, fold the top down twice (because at some point it tips over and I want to be sure the kernels stay in). For my microwave, I use a 1/4 c. of corn and it only takes about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes to finish. I then hit it with some cooking spray, touch of salt and some nutritional yeast. YUM!!!! I reuse the paper bag so it's better for the environment, the kernels are better for my budget than commercially bagged microwave popcorn, it's nice to control the ingredients myself so it's WAY lower calorie and the minimal packaging is better for my shelf space. It's all-around great!

    I log all of the ingredients individually in MFP. You could also just create a "recipe" so that you wouldn't have to do that each time. I prefer this over an air popper in part because I have limited counter space. Also, the air popper seems like an unnecessary expense even if it's cheap. You can get a small microwave on Craisglist for a similar price and it can perform multiple functions.
  • badjuju775
    badjuju775 Posts: 47
    I'm on my second air popper. I wore the first one out after 15 years of being used at least 3-4 times a week. I top it with spray butter like Parkay, I Can't Believe it's Not Butter or Kernel Season's Butter Popcorn Spritzer all are ZERO calories. Delish treat!!!
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I'm on my second air popper. I wore the first one out after 15 years of being used at least 3-4 times a week. I top it with spray butter like Parkay, I Can't Believe it's Not Butter or Kernel Season's Butter Popcorn Spritzer all are ZERO calories. Delish treat!!!

    I don't mean to take this off topic, but I just went to Jillian Michael's speaking tour on Wednesday. She was saying that she used to be obsessed with the I Can't Believe it's not Butter spray until she spoke with the company and found out that it's 1200 calories per bottle! It says zero calories per 1.25 spray (she made a joke about this of course) but it's actually .9 calories and they are allowed to round down on the Nutrition Info.
  • chasetwins
    chasetwins Posts: 702 Member
    I'm on my second air popper. I wore the first one out after 15 years of being used at least 3-4 times a week. I top it with spray butter like Parkay, I Can't Believe it's Not Butter or Kernel Season's Butter Popcorn Spritzer all are ZERO calories. Delish treat!!!

    I don't mean to take this off topic, but I just went to Jillian Michael's speaking tour on Wednesday. She was saying that she used to be obsessed with the I Can't Believe it's not Butter spray until she spoke with the company and found out that it's 1200 calories per bottle! It says zero calories per 1.25 spray (she made a joke about this of course) but it's actually .9 calories and they are allowed to round down on the Nutrition Info.

    eeeek I swear by that crap and most likely use a bottle a week (maybe an exaggeration..maybe not lol) ouch! I am so checking into this and tracking the crap from now on :(
  • wildfirediva
    wildfirediva Posts: 212
    OIL POPPED all the way. I pop in a few different good for you oils depending on my mood like garlic infused avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, grapeseed oil.

    I build it as a "recipe" in MFP and stay relatively consistent each time with my recipe. But I have tracked the popcorn and oil separately too.

    I will sometimes add a light sprinkle of Nutritional Yeast or a seasoned spice blend from Penzey's or Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning for a twist on occasion.
  • caterpillardreams
    caterpillardreams Posts: 476 Member
    I pop mine on the stove also with some oil in a large pot, so easy and great.
    I would just divide the amount or servings of popcorn you made and do the same for the oil. since it should distribute evenly while it cooks.
    Yum, will make some tonight
  • EpicPickle
    EpicPickle Posts: 35
    otherwise, for air-popped in the microwave you can just put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a small brown paper bag, fold the top down and put in there on 'high' for 3-4 minutes.

    This is how I make my popcorn all the time now, and it works very well. I usually top it with a little melted butter and some salt to taste. One brown lunch bag makes a pretty large portion.

    I would recommend using a little scotch tape to seal the top though, as sometimes the kernels will pop the bag open during popping and get all over your microwave.
  • Treadmillmom1st
    Treadmillmom1st Posts: 579 Member
    for air-popped in the microwave you can just put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a small brown paper bag, fold the top down and put in there on 'high' for 3-4 minutes.

    Any alternative to the brown paper bag? Can you use lidded tupperware for example or a microwave safe bowl covered with cling film?
  • juhoo
    juhoo Posts: 1 Member
    A co-worker and my sister love this microwave popper
    http://www.popcornlovers.com/store/Poppers/Microwave-Poppers/Microwave-Popcorn-Bowl/session_5d32f05f1606/

Categories