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Whether it’s movie night or you just need a quick salty/sweet/spicy snack, popcorn’s got you covered. Plain old popcorn is a whole grain—one that you can add tons of flavor to without just slathering it in butter. Below, students share their favorite ways to make this go-to snack.
1. Spicy curried popcorn
- 3 tablespoons oil of your choice
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot.
- Once the kernels begin to pop, shake the pot over the heat.
- Remove from the heat once the kernels slow down their popping.
- Once the popcorn has been popped, melt coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add turmeric, garlic, curry powder, and cumin; heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 1 additional minute.
- Add hot sauce and combine the sauce mixture with the popcorn in a large paper bag. Shake the bag until the flavors are mixed.
- Empty popcorn into a bowl and enjoy!
2. Classic salty popcorn
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
- 1 cup popcorn kernels
Seasoning options
- Table or kosher salt
- Seasoning salt
- Salt and pepper
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot.
- Once the kernels begin to pop, open the lid a little to let some of the steam out.
- Once most of the popping stops, remove the pot from the stove.
- Divide the popcorn into bowls and add your salty toppings.
- Devour!
3. Sensationally sweet popcorn
- ½ cup plain popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
Topping options
- 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Place the popcorn kernels in a paper bag with the oil and shake the bag to evenly coat the kernels.
- Fold over the top of the bag several times to close it.
- Microwave for about 2 ½ to 4 minutes, stopping when you hear approximately 3 to 5 seconds between pops.
- Toss the popcorn with the syrup and/or cinnamon and enjoy.