Popcorn

PennyGSD

In an attempt to cut down our expenditure on crisps and evening snacks (note cut down, not eradicate), I've been making popcorn on the hob.

It's great. Nothing beats freshly popped, still warm popcorn.

But how do you get the toppings to stick?

If I use liquidy ones, it deflates the popcorn and makes it soggy (obviously).

If I use a dry sprinkling (we like salt & sweet, so I've been using a pinch of finely ground salt and icing sugar, and sometimes cinnamon), then not enough sticks to the corn but ends up a dusty powder at the bottom of the bowl.

Help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

princess_loki

How about spraying with something like frylight or similar first?


My mum used to make a kind of toffee sauce as a coating that went hard and crunchy when cooled down

PennyGSD

Thanks for the suggestion.

I've tried Frylight in the past and that resulted in slightly soggy popcorn

And I've tried a crunchy coating that just ended up in a solid lump of popcorn glued together.

I'm starting to get the feeling it's my skills rather than the method that may be lacking!

VfM4meplse

I think its easier and healthier to stick to plain! You do get used to it.

moneyistooshorttomention

That reminds me - I've got some in the larder.

I've only really done it two ways so far. Mainly just put butter and decent salt on it. But also pouring milk over it and using it as cereal.

nillionaire

I think its best to put your still warm popcorn into a bag like a sandwich bag or paper bag, sprinkle your topping in and shake the bag like mad think of it like those old salt and shake crisps! Im not sure if its the steamy environment it makes in the bag or what it is but I always find it sticks much better that just sprinkling it on

SouthCoastSkies

Instead of frylight, how about a light spray of 100% oil ? I know it's adding calories, but it may stop the popcorn going soggy

nearlytherenow

I've topped up an oil sprayer with water before and used that to get popcorn toppings to stick. It worked well for me and is super cheap and healthy too!

Petula

I always use nillionaire's method, still warm popcorn into a bag (I use paper) add your seasoning then shake like you see Trump coming, lol.

I also like melted butter with a bit of salt, add the butter to about ⅓ of your popcorn, mix it up well and then mix into the rest of the popcorn. You do get a few soggy kernals, but with ⅔ not having the butter on directly you get the flavour without the sogginess if you had poured it over the whole lot.

jackyann

An American mum (or "mom") showed me to use a shaker with icing sugar in it (and you can add cinnamon or seived cocoa)
Shake it on whilst still very hot and it will stick enough

thriftwizard

DD2's just introduced me to popcorn with Cajun seasoning - oh YUM!

We've been making it on the stove-top for many years now - so much cheaper, and so much nicer!