Nothing beats the aroma of fresh stovetop-flavored popcorn popping in your kitchen. Crispy, light, and easily and endlessly customizable, homemade popcorn is one of the simplest snacks to prepare in minutes.
Whether you are planning a movie night, a long trip, a picnic, or a healthy after-school snack, stovetop coconut oil popcorn offers endless flavor possibilities.
Why you'll love this recipe?
- Ready in under 10 minutes.
- Budget-friendly snack.
- Healthier than movie theatre or packaged popcorn.
- Highly customizable for sweet and savory cravings and flavor combinations.
- Perfect for parties, game nights, and movie nights.
Check out our favorite Thai-flavored popcorn recipe and garlic parmesan bread knots.
Ingredients
For simple and basic popcorn, you will need corn kernels, cooking oil of your choice, and salt to taste.
Other seasonings used today: chili powder or cayenne pepper, pepper powder, and Parmesan cheese.
Subscribe Below to Receive Free Meal Plans Every Week
Sign up for our newsletter to receive our weekly meal plans directly in your inbox!
Check out the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or pot over medium heat. Drop 3-5 corn kernels. Once they pop, the oil is ready.
- Pour all the corn kernels into the pot, cover the pot, and shake it gently every now and then until the popping slows down 2-3 seconds between pops.
- Turn off the flame and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.
- Drizzle butter or olive oil spray. Sprinkle cayenne, salt, and pepper powder while tossing the popcorn. (You can do this in one or 2 batches)
- Sprinkle the parmesan over hot popcorn and toss. Serve and enjoy.
Tips
- For butter garlic parmesan popcorn, when heating the oil, add 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté until light golden, or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, while tossing with other spices.
- For Indian spicy masala popcorn, add red chile powder, chaat masala, and a pinch of cumin powder.
- Use a large pot to avoid overflow.
- Shake occasionally to ensure even heat distribution and avoid burning at the bottom.
- Add seasoning immediately after cooking.
- To avoid soggy popcorn, avoid adding liquid seasonings. Go with spice mixes whenever possible.
- Oil or butter is used only to help the seasoning stick. You can adjust it accordingly.
Flavor ideas for homemade popcorn
If you have store-bought spice mixes or sauces, you can make any of the above-flavored popcorn.
- pizza seasoning popcorn
- cajun spiced popcorn
- honey butter popcorn
- sriracha lime popcorn
- lemon butter popcorn
- Tandoori masala popcorn
- peri peri popcorn
What oil is best for stovetop popcorn?
For a movie theatre or high-quality taste, coconut oil is preferred when making popcorn. You can use canola, vegetable, avocado, or peanut oil instead.
More quick snack ideas
Recipe card
Stovetop Flavored Popcorn | Parmesan Popcorn
Ingredients
For basic popcorn
- ½ cup Corn kernels
- 3 tablespoon Coconut oil canola oil, vegetable oil
Homemade popcorn seasoning
- 2 to 3 tablespoon Butter melted or olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne powder adjust to taste
- ¾ teaspoon Salt fine or Garlic salt, adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon Pepper powder adjust to taste
- ½ cup Parmesan grated
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or pot over medium heat. Drop 3-5 corn kernels. Once they pop, the oil is ready.½ cup Corn kernels, 3 tablespoon Coconut oil
- Pour all the corn kernels into the pot, cover the pot, and shake it gently every now and then until the popping slows down 2-3 seconds between pops.
- Turn off the flame and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.
- Drizzle butter or olive oil spray. Sprinkle cayenne, salt, and pepper powder while tossing the popcorn. (You can do this in one or 2 batches)2 to 3 tablespoon Butter, 1 teaspoon Cayenne powder, ¾ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Pepper powder
- Sprinkle the parmesan over hot popcorn and toss. Serve and enjoy.½ cup Parmesan
Notes
- For butter garlic parmesan popcorn, when heating the oil, add 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté until light golden, or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, while tossing with other spices.
- For Indian spicy masala popcorn, add red chile powder, chaat masala, and a pinch of cumin powder.
- Use a large pot to avoid overflow.
- Shake occasionally to ensure even heat distribution and avoid burning at the bottom.
- Add seasoning immediately after cooking.
- To avoid soggy popcorn, avoid adding liquid seasonings. Go with spice mixes whenever possible.
- Oil or butter is used only to help the seasoning stick. You can adjust it accordingly.
Nutrition
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Note: We originally posted this flavored popcorn in March 2016. It was modified in June 2026 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
srividhya says
parmesan in popcorn.. wow. will give it a try. yum
Kushi says
Thank you Sri 🙂
Manali@CookWithManali says
I love popcorn and also the flavors you have used in here! 🙂
Kushi says
Thank you Manali 🙂
Nalini Somayaji says
Nice and lovely inviting popcorns.....love it any time of the day...
Kushi says
Thank you Nalini 🙂
Chitra jagadish says
Perfect snack... Love the flavors in there...
Kushi says
Thank you Chitra 🙂