What Is the Healthiest Way to Cook Popcorn?

Written By
Daisy Cuinn
Daisy Cuinn
Published: May 6, 2010
Updated: Dec 13, 2021
1 minute read
What Is the Healthiest Way to Cook Popcorn?

Popcorn is a whole grain food that, by itself, has very few calories, very low sodium, and no saturated fat or cholesterol. However, commercial popcorn products such as microwave popcorn and movie theater popcorn have a lot of things added that can make it much less healthy. The healthiest way to cook popcorn is without added fat or salt. Electric hot air popcorn poppers will make plain, healthy popcorn, but you don't need any special equipment to make air-popped popcorn at home.

Add popcorn kernels to the paper bag. For a lunch-sized bag, add about three tablespoons of kernels.

Fold the top over and secure with tape.

Place in the microwave and cook on high with the time set for two minutes. Listen for the corn to pop. When there is about five seconds between pops, stop the microwave and wait about 30 seconds. Remove the bag and open carefully.

Eat plain for the healthiest popcorn.

Daisy Cuinn

Delaware-based Daisy Cuinn has been writing professionally since 1997, when she became the features editor for her local biweekly music newspaper. She has been a staff writer and contributor to online and offline magazines, including "What…

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