Little-known fact: I am a stovetop popcorn connoisseur. I’ve been making popcorn on the stove since my parents taught me in elementary school. Stovetop popcorn is infinitely better than microwave popcorn or air-popped popcorn. If you haven’t made it yet, you’ve been missing out!

I’m on a mission to make sure everyone knows how to make popcorn from scratch. Today, I’m sharing all of my popcorn-making tips so you can make perfect stovetop popcorn at home, too. All you need are popcorn kernels, a good pot with a lid, oil and salt. You can do it!

Of all the salty, crunchy, savory snacks out there, stovetop popcorn is one of the tastiest and cheapest snacks. I love that I can make it in under 10 minutes if I’m craving a snack, and easily adjust the amounts to yield a single serving or popcorn for a party.

The 10-minute buffer period is actually great, since it means I can’t reach into the pantry and mindlessly snack on popcorn. That’s why I don’t keep tortilla chips on hand—I eat them too fast.

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Confession: I’m afraid I’m allergic to real Christmas trees, and I’m definitely allergic to busy shopping malls. Does that make me a Scrooge? The holidays are always full of cheer but hectic. I’m tempted to take a nap before I deck the halls this weekend.

If you’re wondering what to bring to your holiday party, this caramel popcorn recipe is just the ticket. You’ll start by making a batch of stovetop popcorn. The healthier “caramel” sauce is sweetened with maple syrup and thickened with tahini. It is so delicious.

If you’re familiar with Middle Eastern halva, this popcorn reminds me of it. Crackly sesame seeds and ground cinnamon make it even more irresistible. You have been warned.

As I was typing up the recipe, I realized that it is gluten free, vegan and nut free as well. This popcorn is a special diet-friendly party option and a fun holiday treat. For an even more festive popcorn recipe, check out my peppermint bark popcorn. So good!

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It’s been two days since I published my gift guide and I’ve made no progress on my holiday shopping list. I have, however, consumed lots and lots of this simple, maple-sweetened caramel corn. I can’t help myself!

This is the one time of year that I wish I worked at an office, just for the homemade, powdered sugar-dusted cookies and chocolate peanut butter buckeyes.

I’ve managed to appease my holiday cravings with my own homemade treats. Case in point? This popcorn. It’s dangerously easy to make and I’m powerless in the presence of its salty-sweet, cinnamon-flavored crunchiness.

Most caramel popcorn is made with corn syrup, which is an ingredient I’d rather avoid, plus a lot of butter. This healthier, dairy-free, homemade version is made simply with reduced maple syrup, nut butter, spices and the best stovetop popcorn. And it is delicious.

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This peppermint bark popcorn is my ideal Christmastime treat. It features my favorite salty snack—stovetop popcorn—drizzled with melted dark chocolate, followed by white chocolate and crushed candy canes. It’s crisp, sweet, salty, pepperminty perfection, and I love it.

This popcorn has been one of my favorite holiday recipes since I shared it in 2012, and I’m updating it with new photos in 2024. For more classic peppermint bark flavor, I’ve stirred peppermint extract into the dark chocolate and added a generous drizzle of white chocolate as well.

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