While everyone has a good ol’ fashioned way to make popcorn, using oil as the butter-like topping is not always necessary. Many people have mentioned switching up the type of starch used to poach or cook the kernels, making it possible to use baking soda instead!
There are some theories about how adding air into the popped corn during the process helps improve the flavor of the movie screen. Since whites of foods taste better than other colors, mixing your toppings can enhance this effect.
If you are looking to reduce oil intake for health reasons, creating healthier flavored popcorn may be the solution! Read on to learn more about all of these ways to make delicious, oil free popcorn.
Disclaimer: This article will discuss different types of oils in addition to white sugars that may be used in making the popcorn. If you are sensitive to any of these ingredients, do not eat the product.
Types of Oils
Saturated fat does not disappear when food is cooked so most recipes call for using olive oil, coconut oil, or another solid vegetable oil like sunflower or safflower. These are usually melted down and mixed with the other ingredients before being heated.
Some people argue that using coconut oil makes the popcorns texture seems denser and possibly even chewy.
Finding the right oil for popcorn
There are two main types of oils used in making crispy, delicious popcorn. They are either neutral or butter-style oils.
Neutral oils do not taste like fat, which is why they are called “non-oily”. Some people prefer them because you can mix them with other ingredients easily without creating excess grease.
Butter style oils have an additional component that makes it easier to achieve perfect crispness. This ingredient is cream of tartar, which acts as a catalyst to create smaller air bubbles when the poppapce is cooked.
This article will discuss some tips and tricks for how to make the best fluffy, golden brown popcorn using coconut oil! Read on to see more about this healthy cooking option.
Try using olive oil
Technically, you can make great popcorn without any kind of fat or oil, but it will not taste as good- unless you have butter to use as a flavorizer. The trick is to use very little water when popping the corn, and then add a flavored oil to taste while mixing.
Many people like to use melted butter as the flavoring agent for their popped popcorn, which is totally acceptable if you like that style of cooking! If you would prefer to use olive oil instead though, feel free to do so. Just be sure to toast the oil first to take out some of its healthy properties.
Olive oils are packed with vitamins A and E, along with many other nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthine, which contribute to eye health. They also contain large amounts of polyphenols, which may lower blood cholesterol.
Try using canola oil
A few years ago, people were wondering if you could make popcorn without butter or oils of any kind! While it may not be practical for making large batches, there are several recipes that do not require adding anything to the kernels while they’re popping.
These tips work by incorporating steam into the air in the popper, which makes the corn pop faster and more consistently. And since they do not have olive oil or coconut oil as an additive, we can consider them healthy alternatives to traditional popped foods.
There are many different types of cookers used for making popcorn, so what works for one style may not work for another. To ensure perfect popcorn every time, test out some styles before investing in a specific model.
Try using grapeseed oil
Although most people associate popcorn with butter, it is actually made of starch and corn kernels! The trick to making great tasting crispy popcorn is in the process itself as well as what kind of fat you use in the pan while popping the kernel.
Most recipes call for either melted butter or vegetable oil to be used in the popper. However, we can now make crispier popped popcorn without any oils at all!
A few years ago, no one knew about sprouting grains. Now that they are more popular than ever, there are many ways to enjoy them beyond just eating them as a plain whole grain food source.
Try using peanut oil
There are several recipes that do not require butter or oils as an ingredient. One of these is making popcorn without any fat or oil in it! While there are many ways to make crispy, delicious popcorn, one of the most popular routes is adding olive oil into the process.
Olive oil has a very distinct flavor which some people may not like. If you feel this way when experimenting with other recipes, then try replacing the olive oil with another neutral tasting oil such as coconut or vegetable. These two oils can be used together in most recipes so if you are ever running low on one, just buy more of the other!
Another option would be to use melted ghee (butter) instead of olive oil. Ghee does have an extra taste factor, but some people love it while others don’t.
Try using sunflower oil
There are two main types of oils used in making popcorn: olive oil and shortening. Both of these oils contain saturated fat, which can be harmful to your health if consumed too much.
Olive oil is often recommended as the better option than other oils because it has some antioxidants in it. However, studies show that eating one serving (one tablespoon) of plain old butter is more effective at lowering blood cholesterol levels than one ounce (about 30 grams or three tablespoons) of extra-virgin olive oil.
Shortening also contains partially hydrogenated fats, but they’re usually mixed with another ingredient such as baking powder or salt. These additives take effect and then melt down during cooking, replacing the melted fat content.
Try using sesame oil
There are several recipes that do not require butter or oils as an ingredient. One of these is making popcorn without any kind of fat or oil in the process. Using just dry air, sugar, and kernels of popcorn, you can make delicious snacks!
Sesame oil has a very strong flavor which makes it perfect for adding into many different dishes. It is also more expensive than other oils, but its cost difference will be made up in taste quality and use.
You can try experimenting with this recipe to see how well it works without olive oil or coconut oil.
Try using vegetable oil
Although there are many recipes that do not require butter or cooking oils, making popcorn without any kind of fat is tricky. When you remove the poppable starch from the kernels, they will not crisp up properly.
Most recipes call for either baking soda or dry milk as a leavening agent to produce fluffy popped corn. These work well, but both contain sodium which may be unhealthy for some people.
A few tips if you would like to try making popcorns with no oil include using a type of vegetable oil such as olive oil, using lower heat to prevent burning, and leaving the coconut bag in longer before popping it so all the moisture can escape.