This stovetop parmesan cheese popcorn recipe is a must-have snack perfect your for next movie night or date night! This yummy snack features crunchy buttery popcorn covered with savory parmesan cheese. This cheesy buttery popcorn recipe is simply the best ever!
Homemade popcorn is one of the best and easiest snacks to make. This parmesan popcorn recipe literally only takes 10 minutes to make and everyone loves it! Cozy up with a big bowl of this cheesy popcorn goodness when you are chilling at home or as a delicious after school snack!
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Organic popcorn
Organic popcorn is a must for this recipe. I normally only use organic or non-gmo ingredients for most of my cooking anyways because it has made a huge difference in my health and my family’s health.
Sometimes you can’t taste the difference between an organic/non-gmo food and an ingredient that’s not, but popcorn kernels are definitely the time where it’s very obvious!
Non-organic popcorn kernels taste weird and the shells of the popcorn kernels are perpetually getting stuck in my teeth – making for a bad popcorn experience. On the other hand, organic popcorn tastes much better and the popped popcorn pieces taste tender and I hardly get any popcorn shells stuck in my teeth.
Any organic brand will do and you’ll taste the difference in this recipe!
Parmesan cheese popcorn ingredients
All you need are 5 simple ingredients to make this delicious stovetop popcorn!
Parmesan cheese – You can use regular parmesan cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano which is real parmesan cheese. Use a block of cheese and then grate it yourself with a microplane for the best flavor.
Olive oil – used to cook the popcorn. You can also use refined coconut oil or avocado oil because these have a high smoking point which means they won’t burn as easily.
Organic popcorn kernels – have the best flavor and don’t get stuck in your teeth.
Unsalted butter – Cooked with the popcorn after it has popped.
Salt – season to taste.
How to Make Popcorn on the Stove
All ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step one. In a large pot add vegetable oil and popcorn kernels. Cover the pot with aluminum foil. Poke a few holes in the foil to allow for ventilation. Alternatively, you could use a lid slightly angled to one side so the steam can escape.
Step two. On medium heat cook the popcorn kernels until the rapid popping starts to slow down. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes then remove the pot from the heat. Important: Don’t wait until the popcorn has completely stopped popping before removing it from the heat because it will be burnt!
Step three. Transfer half of the popcorn to a large bowl. To the remaining popcorn in the pot add 2 tablespoons of butter then cook on medium heat until the butter has melted. Stir to combine then season with salt to taste. Pour buttered popcorn into another large bowl then repeat with the remaining popcorn.
Step four. Sprinkle the hot popcorn with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Give it a good toss to coat then serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Chopped fresh rosemary
- Garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, or freshly ground black pepper.
- Homemade garlic butter – melt unsalted butter with minced garlic then drizzle over popcorn. Salt to taste.
- Italian seasoning or all-purpose seasoning
Recommended Tools
2 large bowls, for serving
Aluminum foil, or a lid angled to one side
Microplane, to grate the parmesan cheese
Pro Tips
Shake the pot while the popcorn is cooking to make sure everything cooks evenly.
If you want to scale this recipe without adding too many popcorn kernels to your pot, pour in just enough to cover the bottom of the pot in a single layer. Then add enough oil to coat.
Cover your pot with aluminum foil then poke a few holes it in. I like this method the best because the popcorn is well-ventilated during the popping process and it doesn’t turn out tough or soggy.
If you are using a lid instead of aluminium foil make sure to angle it just enough so that the steam can escape without too much of the popcorn jumping out. If too much steam builds up it could lead to tough and soggy popcorn kernels.
Frequently Asked Questions —
Adding parmesan cheese or your favorite seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh herbs!
After! This is so that whatever seasonings you add don’t burn and ruin the taste of your popcorn.
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How To Make: Popcorn on the Stove
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ghee/ vegetable oil
- 5 tablespoons organic popcorn kernels
- 2 – 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, add the ghee/ vegetable oil and the popcorn kernels. Cover the pot with aluminum foil and poke holes in the aluminum foil with a knife for ventilation.
- Cook the popcorn until the popping starts to slow down, about 4 – 5 minutes. Don’t wait until the popping stops completely because the popcorn will be burnt.
- Transfer half of the popped popcorn into a large bowl. With the popcorn remaining in the pot, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook the popcorn with the butter, while stirring, until the butter has melted. Then sprinkle with salt. Add buttered popcorn into a large bowl. Repeat with remaining popcorn.
- Toss hot popcorn with freshly grated parmesan cheese then serve the popcorn immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is automatically generated and should be only used as a rough estimate. This recipe card may contain affiliate links.
I never thought to get organic popcorn kernels thanks for the suggestion I’ll have to try this recipe soon!
Yes, organic makes all the difference!
I could not agree more about microwaves! I don’t want to trade taste and health for convenience! And microwaved food always smells funny! 😬 This is how our mama always made popcorn and it feels very nostalgic! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Thank you! It is fun and nostalgic to make! Thanks for reading!
We are totally going to do this! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
This is a great healthy option for popcorn! Will definitely give it a try!
I’m glad! Thanks!
This is one of our favorite ways to make popcorn! Tastes so much better…. and better for you!
It totally is!