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Stove-Popped Popcorn

Stove-Popped Popcorn

Some Native American tribes made popcorn, which was a fun and easy snack to make (even before the invention of the microwave!). We've been making our popcorn sans microwave for awhile now. The kids love to be able to actually see it pop and there's very little prep work for grownups to do. You can do this over a campfire or fire pit, but a stove will work just as well.

Ages:
3 - 9
Est. Time:
<30 mins

How we did it:

Materials List

  1. popcorn kernels (1/3 cup)
  2. oil for cooking (3 tablespoons)
  3. pot - large; preferably with a glass lid
  4. salt (optional)
  5. butter (optional)
  1. Stove-Popped Popcorn Pin It

    My daughter and her friend are learning about Native American history so we made this fun snack together. First we gathered our supplies. Our oil looks very green because it is grapeseed oil, but you can choose your own favorite cooking oil for this recipe.

  2. Stove-Popped Popcorn Pin It

    First, the girls put 3 tablespoons of oil into the pan.

  3. Stove-Popped Popcorn Pin It

    Then they added the corn.

  4. Stove-Popped Popcorn Pin It

    The girls put the glass lid on the pan and I placed it on our gas stove and turned the heat to medium-high.

    I had the girls stand on a chair so they could see the popcorn popping, but they were a safe distance away and we discussed safety points first: not touching the pot or the lid or the stove, and keeping hair and clothing away from the flame.

    They were thrilled to see the first few kernels begin to pop. Soon the pan was filled with popcorn.

  5. Stove-Popped Popcorn Pin It

    We let the popcorn cool, then I poured it into a big bowl. The girls sprinkled a little salt on it and stirred it up. You could also add butter but we think it tastes just fine without it. The grapeseed oil gives it a nice flavor.

    While we ate our snack, we talked about how many years ago, there were not modern conveniences like stoves or grocery stores to buy snacks. We imagined we were Native Americans from long ago, making a little fire in our teepee and cooking our popcorn snack.

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