Air-popped popcorn

Someone tell me about air-popped popcorn. I am a hopeless addict to 100-calorie bags of popcorn, but I've heard wonderful things about homemade popcorn.

What do I need? How do I do it? Is it less/more expensive than store bought popcorn? Healthier?

Thank you!

Much better for you. Not processed, no salt added, natural, no preservatives. You just need an air popper and popcorn.

actually you don't even need an air popper, if you have a microwave. take a paper lunch bag, add 3 tablespoons of popping corn, fold over the top, put it in the microwave, and pop till done.

it's MUCH cheaper than the prepackage bags. you can make it as healthy as you want. i don't do much popcorn, but my oldest boy does. i found a flavored salt, white cheddar, that he loves. since i don't cook with much salt and we do very little processed foods so i'm comfortable with this bit of salt intake. and we add no oil, so that's definitely healthier.

wow, great advice satyrswoman! Thanks!

I like it from an air popper better than the brown bag way. I just burn it in the micro too easily! And I definitely prefer to get a better quality popping corn (I had a store-brand once, and it literally didn't pop one kernel in the bag!)

Air popped corn is not processed, has no trans fat, and a nice whole-grain snack! At first it will seem expensive (If you buy an air popper, it'll be like $25-ish, and the popcorn I get is $4 for a canister with a screw-top lid). So you'll be thinking "That's $30! That's not cheap!" But the air popper will last a while, if you pick a good one, and that canister of corn makes 32 6-cup servings (popped). If you're used to 100-calorie pack serving sizes, and want to stick with that? You'll get way more than 32 servings out of it. Less expensive than that amount of overpriced 100-calorie packs, isn't it?

Now, you do need to watch out - the biggest problem I see is people going "See? Since its air-popped, its healthy!" And proceeding to dump 3 tablespoons of melted butter and a truckload of salt on top. Its like a salad - watch out for toppings, and you'll be fine!

rkelizondo,

you're welcome. it amazed the heck out of me when i found out how easy it is.

novileigh,

yes, burning is possibly an issue with the micro method, but i despise having one use tools (not to mention i don't have enough counter/cabinet space as it is) and i got really lucky with my micro. it has a popcorn setting that works perfect for one bag!

i guess i've been lucky so far with the "off" brands. there are always a few kennels that don't pop but i figure i'd rather have a few that don't pop than start any of them burning.

mmmm... but the butter is SO good!

I put mine in a big microwaveable glass bowl & put a plate on top. Watch out as the bowl does get hot.

Ah heck! I want popcorn now!

I'm a popcorn addict!  I actually just got a microwave popcorn bowl popper from my future mother in-law and it works great!  I will not eat plain popcorn though, I don't know how people do it!  So, I use smart balance buttery spray, 0 calories and 0 fat!  Also in the popcorn aisle at walmart you can find these powders (ranch, white cheddar and I think there is one more flavor) that also have 0 calories and amazingly not a whole lot of sodium.  They are great for changing up your popcorn! I also want to mention that the bags of popcorn that are just over a dollar are just as good if not better then Orville Redenbachers $5 container!