Nothing beats the smell of freshly cooked popcorn when you're about to watch a movie. With an at-home popcorn machine, you can easily make classic salted popcorn or other variations of this recipe in just a few minutes. What's more, these interactive cooking opportunities can entertain kids as well as adults, so start the fun today!
Ingredients
- Popcorn kernels (sometimes called "raw popcorn")
- Oil (usually coconut oil)
- Butter (optional)
Step
Part 1 of 4: Popcorn Serving Chart
| Details | Oil | Butter | Portion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3 cup | 1-1&1/2 tbsp. | 1-1&1/2 tbsp. | 8-10 cups |
| 1/2 cup | 1&1/2-2 tbsp. | 1&1/2-2 tbsp. | 14-16 cups |
| 2/3 cup | 2-2&1/2 tbsp. | 2-2&1/2 tbsp. | 20-22 cups |
| 3/4 cup | 2&1/2-3 tbsp. | 2&1/2-3 tbsp. | 22-24 cups |
Part 2 of 4: Using the Popcorn Stir Machine
Step 1. Put the lid on
Most popcorn machines have a ceramic or metal "E" and a large domed lid that doubles as a serving bowl. To start, turn the bowl over and attach it to the base of the machine. Most popcorn machines have some sort of locking mechanism to keep the bowl from sliding - for example you have to screw the bowl down or use fasteners to hold it down.
Make sure the bowl is firmly attached to the base of the machine before starting. Cooking popcorn without tightening the base of the machine will inevitably cause the corn to spill
Step 2. Add the corn kernels and oil
Next, add the main ingredients - the popcorn kernels and oil to cook it. See the chart above for suggested serving sizes. Most popcorn stir fryers have a removable center on the lid for adding ingredients - just open it up and put in your ingredients to get started.
Most neutral cooking oils will work well on a stir-fried popcorn machine. For example: vegetable oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil are good choices. Don't use margarine or oil with a low smoke point - the oil can burn and give the popcorn an unpleasant smoky taste
Step 3. Alternatively, add butter
Most standard popcorn machines have a small hole in the top for adding butter. As the popcorn cooks, the butter in these holes will melt and give the popcorn an even layer. Add butter in thin slices - the thinner the slices, the faster the butter will melt. See the chart above for serving suggestions.
Softening the butter for a few seconds in the microwave before adding it can help melt the popcorn completely
Step 4. Plug in the popcorn machine and turn it on
When you have added all the ingredients, close and plug in the machine. Some popcorn machines will start to heat up, while other types of machines have a switch that you have to press. The kneading hand will start to rotate and stir the popcorn as it cooks.
Step 5. Listen to the popcorn as it pops
Depending on how much you're making popcorn, the type of grain used and the freshness, the cooking time of the popcorn will vary. A few minutes after you start the popcorn machine, you will hear the grains of corn start to pop. The rate of the explosion will quickly increase, then subside. If you start to hear only one pop every few seconds, turn off the engine.
Sometimes, the corn kernels can get caught under the hand of the stirrer during cooking. If this happens, you may hear a slight scraping sound. It's not dangerous
Step 6. Season and serve
Finished! Carefully turn the popcorn over, and remove the lid to use as a bowl. Most people like to salt their popcorn a little, but there are many variations. Here are a few spice ideas for you, but there's actually a lot more - any flavor you like can make a great condiment.
- Black pepper
- Cajun Seasoning
- Garlic salt
- spicy sauce
- Chocolate candies (M&Ms, etc.)
Step 7. Clean the machine after use
Most popcorn machines (including the home "stir" type) require minimal maintenance. After cooking the popcorn, simply use a paper towel or cloth to wipe the excess oil from the base and bowl of the machine. This is to prevent the build-up of fat over time, which can make the popcorn taste or texture unpleasant.
If you want, you can also use a non-toxic cleaning solution to remove grease. Do not allow the cleaner to dry in the popcorn machine. Subsequent cooked popcorn can spoil - wipe with a damp cloth after you finish cleaning
Part 3 of 4: Using the Cinema's Popcorn Machine
Step 1. Add the popcorn and oil to the cooking chamber
The way a cinema popcorn machine works is very similar to "stir" popcorn. In fact, if you open the cooker, there will be a pair of hands stirring just like a homemade popcorn machine! To start, add the main ingredients - corn kernels and oil - as usual.
- In most cinema popcorn machines, the cooking booth is a metal "bucket" with a handle attached, suspended in the center of a clear glass case. Usually, you simply lift one of the metal caps on top of the machine to add the ingredients.
- In the cinema popcorn machine, the corn kernels can be packaged with oil in one package or separately. for the latter, see the table above for serving suggestions.
Step 2. Turn on the stove
Next, turn on the switch to start the cooking process. Depending on the model of the popcorn machine you're using, this switch can be on the front, on the back, or even in the cooking room. If you look into the cooking chamber while the popcorn is cooking, you will see the hand of the kneader spreading the melted oil over the grains of corn.
Like a homemade "stir" popcorn machine, you can turn off the machine when only one corn pops every few seconds. As the popcorn cooks, you'll see the grains of corn popping up out of the cooking chamber and spilling over to the side, and gathering at the bottom of the glass case below
Step 3. Serve by scooping the corn into the bag
When the popcorn is ripe, there will be a lot of popcorn gathering under the box. Use a large spoon or scoop (most popcorn machines will have a scoop) to serve the popcorn. Usually, cinema popcorn is served in a paper bag, but if you don't have one, you can use a regular bowl. Most popcorn machines have a number of holes in the bottom of the box that allow unexploded grains and very small "crumbs" to fall into the crumb drawer under the bottom of the machine. Before serving the popcorn, it's a good idea to be careful when scooping back and forth so that the corn doesn't pop into the drawer.
Step 4. Add butter and seasonings after serving if desired
Popcorn is ready to eat! Add salt, butter and/or other seasonings to your liking and enjoy! See above for a quick list of spice suggestions.
- As you know, if you've ever bought buttered popcorn at the movies, the "butter" is usually added to cinema popcorn after serving (usually using a pump). If you don't have butter for your popcorn at home, melt about a tablespoon. butter in the microwave, and sprinkle over the popcorn with a spoon for an authentic cinema flavour.
- Cinema "butter" is almost always not real milk butter, but is usually a blend of coconut and/or soybean or canola oil (mostly partially hydrogenated) with an artificial butter flavor, TBHO, with citric acid added for added stability, beta carotene for color, and methyl -silicon as antifoam.
Part 4 of 4: Alternatives to Popcorn
Step 1. Add Sugar for the kettle-corn
For any popcorn machine, adding another flavored option to classic popcorn is a breeze!
-
For example, if you want to make delicious kettle-corn, add about 1/4-1/3 cup of sugar to the popcorn machine after you've added the corn kernels and oil. When the popcorn is cooked, the sugar will melt and give it a deliciously sweet taste!
Use a Popcorn Maker Step 12 - Once the popcorn is cooked and starting to cool, the melted sugar will stick to itself, forming lumps. This is normal - just stir to break it up.
Step 2. Add truffle salt or oil to make truffle popcorn
For a sumptuous treat, sprinkle some gourmet truffle seasoning on the popcorn. Adding a pinch of truffle salt or a pinch of truffle oil can give truffles the amazing aroma and taste of truffles at a great price. This delicious snack recipe has to be tasted for you to believe, so head to a specialty grocery store for some truffle condiments today!
Note that truffle-based ingredients are sometimes very expensive. Most of the cheapest truffles are usually around IDR 150,000-200,000 for a small bottle, but the truffles themselves often sell for millions
Step 3. Add chocolate and caramel for the popcorn dessert
Try this recipe for a sweet treat! Purchase caramel from the store (or make your own with sugar and cream) and stir in your popcorn. While you wait for it to cool, melt the bitter chocolate in a double pan.
Step 4. Sprinkle chocolate over caramelized popcorn and stir to coat evenly
Place the popcorn on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, and let it cool (you can place it in the refrigerator to speed up this process). When it's cooled completely, break it with a spoon and enjoy.
Step 5. Add nuts, seeds, and candies for the trail mix
For a high-energy outdoor snack, add your favorite trail mix to popcorn. Whichever ingredients you choose, just stir them into the popcorn! Here are some ideas that you can add to your trail mix in addition to popcorn:
- Nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc.)
- Grains (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
- Pretzels or other salty snacks
- Granola
- Marshmallows
- Dried fruit (raisins, dried berries, dried apricots, etc.)
- Chocolate chips or candy (M&Ms, etc.)
Step 6. Add Indian spices to the curry popcorn
Believe it or not, popcorn is a very versatile food - it can even be turned into a dynamic and exotic dish with the right spices.
For example, for sweet, spicy curry popcorn, mix 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder in a bowl while you wait for the popcorn to finish cooking
Step 7. Heat two tbsp
butter in the microwave. Mix one tbsp. honey to make a sweet sauce.
Pour the liquid sauce over the popcorn and stir to coat evenly, then gradually add the spices while shaking to combine. The end result will be sweet, savory and spicy - a whole new flavor to regular popcorn
Warning
- No matter what type of popcorn machine you use, be careful when cooking. The popcorn machine can get very hot while it is cooking.
- Refer to your manufacturer's instructions for information on how to clean the machine. Do not use water unless you are sure it is safe - if your engine is not waterproof, water can damage or destroy the engine.
