How to Reheat Popcorn

Andy Waters
Latest posts by Andy Waters (see all)

Let’s face it, popcorn is one of the most delicious snacks you can have. Whether you prefer it salted, sweet, buttered, drenched in toffee, or covered in another flavor, you cannot go wrong with a delicious bowl of popcorn. 

However, it can sometimes be hard to finish a complete bowl of popcorn. This may be especially true if you are eating popcorn alone. Whenever you make popcorn, there seems to be a huge quantity that is hard to get through on your own. 

It seems like a massive waste to throw away the popcorn. In this situation, your best bet is to reheat the popcorn. How do you do this without burning it? Find out below. 

Oven

Perhaps the easiest method of reheating your popcorn, you can simply stick it in the oven. To do so, cover a baking tray with ovenproof foil or non-stick baking parchment. This will stop the popcorn from sticking to the tray and will save on the washing up.

Next, spread the cold popcorn evenly on the baking tray. You may want to coat the popcorn with a cooking spray. This will add some moisture to it. Plus, it will further prevent sticking. 

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Once the oven is heated, place the popcorn in there for approximately 5 minutes. During this heating time, be sure to watch over the popcorn. If you fail to do so, the popcorn could burn. Before taking the popcorn out of the oven, make sure that it is completely warm. If not, feel free to put it in for a little longer. 

Once fully cooked, you can add various seasonings and toppings to the popcorn. For example, you may want to drizzle it with some magnificently melted butter. Doing so will revive the popcorn, ensuring that it tastes freshly cooked. 

Microwave

If you do not want to use the oven solution above, do not panic! You can also use a microwave to achieve the same effect. Pour the unheated popcorn into a bowl. Check that this bowl is microwave safe. Then, place plastic wrap over the top of the dish to prevent the popcorn from popping out of it. 

Put the bowl in the microwave and turn it on for approximately 20 seconds. If the popcorn is not fully heated, put it back on for another few more seconds. Like with the oven technique above, keep an eye on the popcorn. This will prevent the food from burning and becoming inedible. 

Pot or Pan

You can also reheat the popcorn in a pot or pan. Though this may not be as effective as the previous two methods, it is nonetheless an available option. Pour a little bit of oil, butter, or cooking spray into a pan. Be sure to spread the oil throughout the pan, thus preventing the popcorn from sticking. 

Warm the pan on top of the stove for a few minutes, allowing the oil to heat up completely. Add the popcorn to the pan, making sure that they are spread evenly. Put the lid on top of the pan, stopping the popcorn from jumping out of it. Leave the popcorn for a few minutes until it has warmed up. Take the stove off the heat and serve this delicious treat. 

How to Store Popcorn?

Unpopped popcorn should be stored at room temperature in a sealed bag or container. This popcorn can last for a long time and tends to have a lengthy use-by-date. 

Meanwhile, leftover popcorn should be left to cool before you can store it. Once the popcorn is no longer hot, you should put it into an airtight container. You can also use a sealable bag if you do not have access to a container. 

This container or bag should be kept at room temperature unless the toppings or flavorings require it to be refrigerated. The reason why leftover popcorn is not refrigerated is that this can increase its moisture. This can make the popcorn develop an unpleasant texture and can make it go stale faster. 

You can leave sealed popcorn at room temperature for around a week. If it begins to smell unpleasant or becomes discolored, you may want to consider getting rid of the popcorn. These may be signs that it has gone off. Consequently, it will not only be unhygienic for you to consume this popcorn, but it may have developed a disagreeable taste and texture. 

How to Make Popcorn?

If you have not made popcorn before, the best advice we can give you is to follow the instructions on the packet. After all, instructions will vary slightly between different popcorn brands. However, we can provide some general guidelines for heating popcorn. 

Most microwavable popcorn packets come in bags that can be microwaved. Place this bag in the microwave. Heat the popcorn for the specified time, which is normally around 3 minutes. While the popcorn is cooking, be sure to watch it.

Stop heating the popcorn once it reaches the time limit or the kernels have begun to pop quickly. Use an oven glove or tea towel to remove the bag, being sure to keep your skin safe. Open the bag and serve the popcorn in a bowl. 

Types of Popcorn?

Popcorn is a versatile snack that is widely available in a range of different flavors and coatings. You can get sweet or savory versions of this snack, making it quite unique. Here are some of our favorite popcorn flavors:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Popcorn Healthy?

The answer to this question will be entirely dependent on the cooking method and seasoning of the popcorn. Popcorn with minimal seasoning can be quite healthy. This is because it is high in fiber and relatively low in fat.

However, popcorn becomes unhealthy when it is heavily seasoned. For instance, toffee popcorn is very high in sugar. Eating too much sugar can lead to multiple health problems, such as tooth decay and diabetes. 

As a result, you should only eat highly seasoned popcorn in moderation. It is fine as an occasional snack, provided that you portion the popcorn well. 

When Were Popcorn Makers Invented?

Popcorn makers resulted in the snack being much easier to make at home. This device dates back to the 1880s. Charles Cretors invented it in 1885. 

Final Thoughts

The next time that you have leftover popcorn after watching a movie or spending time with friends, do not throw it away. Instead, use this helpful guide to store and reheat the popcorn so that you can enjoy it for a second time. 

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