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Coconut Oil Popcorn – just two ingredients!

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Healthy coconut oil popcorn makes the perfect snack! Full of buttery flavor without any of the butter. Made with just two ingredients and then topped with your favorite seasonings.

white bowl of popcorn on a teal napkin.

Stovetop Popcorn made with Coconut Oil

Popcorn is a staple snack around here. Not only because it’s quick and easy to make but because there are so many ways to make it!

Whether it’s sweet caramel corn, salty buttery popcorn, or this light and airy coconut oil popcorn, you can’t go wrong with this popular sweet and salty snack.

With that being said, not all popcorn is created equal, so if you’re looking for a healthy snack, ditch the microwave butter popcorn, reserve the caramel corn for special occasions, and make this stovetop popcorn with coconut oil instead.

If you use absolutely nothing else, no salt, no seasonings, you may get a hint of coconut oil flavor, but it’s nothing to write home about. By the time you add a pinch of salt or seasoning, what you’re left with is a buttery note without the butter. It’s so good!

It’s a low-calorie, gluten-free, and tasty way to indulge in a healthy version of theatre-style popcorn during Friday night movie nights!

Plus, if it’s the right season, you can use it for monster munch Halloween popcorn mix or dress it up into coconut Nutella popcorn!

bowl of popcorn next to a bowl of salt.

Why you’ll love Coconut Oil Popcorn

Healthy Snack – On its own, popcorn is low in calories, naturally gluten-free, and has plenty of fiber. Coconut oil is a saturated fat, however, when used in moderation can have benefits like anti-inflammatory properties and is said to raise levels of good cholesterol.

Easy to Make – Making fresh popcorn on the stove is super easy to do. I’m going to show you how!

Customizable – I love the combination of seasoning salt and lemon pepper, but you can be as creative with the seasonings as you like.

Budget-Friendly – It’s cheap! Ok, coconut oil is definitely not cheap, but a bag of popcorn kernels sure is. You’re not using too much oil, and even still it’s much less expensive than microwave popcorn, never mind the movie theaters.

Tools you’ll need

Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.

  • Coconut Oil – I usually keep a tub of organic, cold-pressed, and non-refined coconut oil (Thanks, Costco!). However, use whichever you’ve got.
  • Popcorn Kernels – Preferably organic and non-GMO. You will get crispy, light and airy popcorn either way, but if we’re going for healthy, may as well go all out.
  • Seasoning – A combination of Himalayan sea salt, seasoning salt, and lemon pepper is my favorite. Tajin is also great!
overhead shot of popcorn kernels, coconut oil, and salt.

How to make Popcorn with Coconut Oil

This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Step One: Add the coconut oil and kernels to a heavy bottom pan and place over medium heat. Cover with a lid.
overhead shot of popcorn kernels & coconut oil in a pot.
  1. Step Two: Once the first kernel pops, carefully shake the pot to make sure all the kernels are coated in oil.
  2. Step Three: Continue cooking over medium (never above) until the popcorn pops slow to a few seconds between each pop.
  1. Step Four: Pour the popped corn into a large bowl and sprinkle with seasoning immediately. Give it a toss to make sure the coconut oil popcorn is evenly seasoned.
freshly popped popcorn in a pot.

How to serve Coconut Oil Popcorn

On its own, air-popped popcorn is a healthy way to snack on something low-calorie without the added sodium or sugar. It’s only when you start adding in the extras that it can take it from healthy to not-so-healthy.

So, if you plan on seasoning it, or setting up a DIY movie theater popcorn station for everyone to season their own, have an assortment of popcorn toppings that are flavorful yet healthy! (ie. skip the popcorn shakers this time around).

Try it with some nutritional yeast, a sprinkle of Parmesan, garlic powder, sea salt, cinnamon, coconut sugar, and even just a bit of salt and pepper. Add some chili powder or cayenne pepper for a kick!

My kids like to sprinkle in some M&Ms or chocolate chips.

bowls of coconut oil popcorn next to a movie night letterboard.

Tips & Suggestions 🍿

  • Don’t skip the heavy bottom pot. This helps to distribute the heat evenly so the kernels of popcorn pop evenly with little risk of burnt kernels.
  • If you want to try a different oil, make sure it has a high smoke point. Avocado oil or olive oil would be two healthy alternatives.
  • Serve your freshly popped coconut oil popcorn right away. Enjoy it while it’s still hot!

How to store Coconut Oil Popcorn

How to store leftovers

Keep leftovers stored in a brown paper bag or airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.

No need to refrigerate it, or reheat it. From here on out, enjoy it at room temperature.

large bowl of popcorn with kernels popping.

FAQs

How much popcorn does this coconut oil popcorn recipe yield?

We’re starting with 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels which becomes 4 cups of popcorn. Just enough for you and a loved one to share!

Can I double the recipe?

You can. However, don’t forget that popcorn expands, so you’ll need to make sure you have a pot big enough to hold everything.

Is coconut oil better than melted butter on popcorn?

It’s all about personal preference. Coconut oil does produce crisp popcorn with a buttery note. However, if you’re a lover of buttery popcorn, then you may have a different opinion. It can’t replace butter in taste, but it is a very suitable, much healthier alternative!

Need more coconut oil recipes? Try these:

Coconut Oil Brownies

No Bake Ritz Cracker Cookies

Butter Cookies Dipped in Chocolate

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut Oil

bowls of stovetop popcorn.
white bowl of popcorn on a teal napkin.

Coconut Oil Popcorn

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates
Healthy coconut oil popcorn makes the perfect snack! Full of buttery flavor without any of the butter. Made with just two ingredients and then topped with your favorite seasonings.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups
Calories 97 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
  • ¼ cup popcorn kernels organic, non-GMO, preferably
  • sea salt, seasoned salt, lemon pepper, cinnamon & sugar optional toppings, to taste

Instructions
 

  • To 5 quart, heavy bottomed pot, add the coconut oil and kernels and cover.
    2 Tablespoons coconut oil
  • When first kernel pops, shake the pot to coat the kernels with the oil.
    ¼ cup popcorn kernels
  • Let the cooking continue until the popping slows down to a few seconds between each pop.
  • Be mindful that even after you remove the pan from the heat, sometimes a rogue kernel still pops. Watch your eyes.
    sea salt, seasoned salt, lemon pepper, cinnamon & sugar
  • Pour in a large bowl and immediately season.

Notes

Store leftovers in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days.
I recommend using an organic, cold pressed coconut oil. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @melissa_pplates or tag #persnicketyplates!

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Originally published July 22, 2013

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Coconut Oil Popcorn | Persnickety Plates
Coconut Oil Popcorn | Persnickety Plates


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  1. Ashley says

    “A food blogger with an empty fridge and no computer access is pretty useless.” – So sorry to hear that all your food had to be thrown out! I REALLY hope your power comes back on soon! Praying for you!

  2. TheTastyFork says

    Girl, I’d be going craaaazy with out electricity. Can you believe I’ve never made my own popcorn. As we kid we had a popcorn popper but I’ve never done on the stove thing. I gotta try this! I love the coconut oil!!

  3. saltedplates says

    I made coconut oil popcorn for the first time on Friday and loved it! I don’t think I will ever switch back

  4. Andi Gleeson says

    Great idea to use coconut oil! I have a popcorn popper AND coconut oil on hand, so I’m going to try this.

  5. Jo Middleton says

    Hi Melissa,

    I have come visiting from Sweet 2 Eat Baking as part of the blog hop! I’ve been reading through your posts with interest and actually salivating! Your photography is so fantastic it’s like there is a bowl of popcorn right in front of me! (I wish…)

    I blog over at Slummy single mummy if you want to say hi any time.

    Jo

  6. Krista Rollins says

    Ok, yeah, that basically looks delicious! I love using coconut oil to cook with! Definitely gonna have to try this one. πŸ™‚

    Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats

  7. Kelly says

    5 stars
    My favorite!!!!

  8. Kelly Kardos says

    5 stars
    This is the ONLY way I make popcorn!! So goodπŸ₯°

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