Ways to Pop
Getting Started
We encourage you to dump those microwave popcorn bags and up your game. An EPA study cites concern over chemicals within the microwave bags and butter flavoring. Allergens within the butter flavoring are also a concern for many. For our family, allergens and inferior taste were drivers to remove microwave bags from our kitchen pantry and look for healthier natural options.
Select your favorite oils—we use light olive oil for a healthier approach, but any high-heat oil can work – vegetable, coconut, corn, canola, sunflower, flavored oils, or whatever you prefer. After cooking, you can even spritz a little of your favorite oil on top before you salt (look for oil misters in the kitchen section of your favorite department or grocery store). If you want to indulge and have a movie-theater experience, prepare Ella & Ollie in coconut oil and butter away!
Stovetop
This is the go-to way to make popcorn in our family, and the way Matt grew up eating popcorn with Grandpa Ollie and now with Lily Ella! The taste, smell, sound and overall experience of stovetop popcorn just can’t be beat.
Preheat your preferred oil (3 tbsp) on medium to medium-high along with 2 or 3 kernels. Once the first kernels pop, pour the remaining kernels (1/2 cup) into the pot. Lightly shake to ensure oil covers all of the popcorn, and keep the lid slightly cracked to allow the steam to escape. Once you hear a few seconds between kernels popping, you can remove the popcorn from the stove. It’s done!
Whirley Pop & Stir Crazy
Both Whirley Pop and electric Stir-Crazy poppers do a great job of coating popcorn with oil as the mixer moves around in circles, by hand or electric crank, resulting in very few old maids. A word to the wise: all Whirley Pop’s are not created equal. The stainless steel version is superior to aluminum.
Ollie’s Original
“Grandpa Ollie used this popcorn popper with his daughters—Jane and Mary—as they grew up. He cooked popcorn in animal lard and placed it on a coal-fired stove. We use this method today over our fire pit in the fall. This is also a great way to prepare popcorn during family camping trips.”
The Microwave
For those in a hurry, you can prepare high quality healthy popcorn in your microwave using a variety of methods.
Ella & Ollie Silicone (BPA Free) Popcorn Popper: We love this option because it offers all of the convenience of microwave bags without sacrificing flavor or your health. Simply add a small amount of oil to the bottom of the silicone bowl (optional), add popcorn to the fill line, place the lid on, pop for 2 to 2 ½ minutes, season and eat straight out of the bowl. Quick, easy and healthy!
Air Popper
We are glad there are so many options for popping because, while this is not our favorite, it is for our dogs. If you like it too, that’s great! But we can’t figure out how to get it all into the bowl rather than all over the kitchen floor. That’s where our pups comes to the rescue!
The Grill
Combine ½ cup of popcorn kernels, 1 tablespoon oil, and seasonings into a disposable aluminum pie pan. Cut off two 12 x 18 inch pieces of foil and crimp each piece to one side of the pie pan and fold the top together, creating a dome shape for the hot air and popcorn to expand. Place on a medium-hot grill. Using tongs, grasp the pie tin and lightly shake every so often as the popcorn starts to pop. The whole process will take about eight minutes. Once the kernels cease to pop, carefully open the foil and enjoy!
“Ella & Ollie has become my go-to. The fresh taste and quality are incomparable. I can’t get enough!”