2tablespoonsoil (e.g., coconut or vegetable oil)Choose your preferred oil
Salt (to taste)
Optional toppings (butter, cheese powder, caramel, or spices)Customize according to taste
Instructions
Preparation
Pour oil into your large pot and place it over medium heat.
Add a few kernels to check if the oil is hot enough; they should pop after a minute.
Cooking
Once the test kernels have popped, carefully remove them and add the remaining popcorn kernels to the pot.
Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small gap to allow steam to escape.
Listen closely! The popping sound will start slowly and then become rapid.
Shake the pot gently every 30 seconds to prevent burning.
Finishing Touches
Once the popping slows down to about 2 seconds between pops, remove the pot from heat.
Carefully lift the lid (watch out for steam!) and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.
Sprinkle with salt or your choice of toppings while the popcorn is still warm.
Notes
For flavored popcorn, experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or ground cinnamon. Use air-popped popcorn without oil for a healthy version, or drizzle melted chocolate or caramel for a sweet treat.