Skip to Content

How to Reheat Popcorn

Are you tired of soggy popcorn? Do you want to reheat your popcorn just right? Continue reading as you will be shown how to reheat popcorn and still retain its tastes and texture.

There are several ways to reheat popcorn: in the microwave, on the stove, and in a convection oven. All these methods have their good and bad side, and I’ll try to highlight them all. 

Carefully place in a brown paper bag and fold the top shut to reheat leftover popcorn. Then put it in the microwave for 25-30 seconds to 1 minute until the popcorn is hot.

However, If you want to retain the crunch in the popcorn and don’t mind a bit of a wait, the oven is probably your best option. It will take about an hour for you to get your popcorn just right. Microwaving for 30 seconds at a time is also good.

What Is Popcorn?

What Is PopcornThe popcorn expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Popcorn can pop like amaranth grain, millet, and quinoa. When heated, pressure builds inside the kernel, and a small explosion (or pop) results. The scientific names for popcorn are Zea mays everta.

You can eat regular popcorn, some have sugar, butter, or even garlic and salt added to them. Some types of popcorn are also known as hull-less or butterfly popcorn which is easy to eat plain because they have no hard hulls.

As with most whole grains, popcorn is a nutritious snack. While some major brands add large amounts of saturated fat and sodium during processing, plain popcorn is a naturally low-fat food.

Is Popcorn Healthy?

Popcorn is a whole grain containing more fiber than many other popular snack foods. However, it is also high in volume, so it takes up a lot of space in your stomach, even with low calories. 

Studies show that eating popcorn will help you feel full and eat less of other foods throughout the day. Additionally, popcorn is vegan and fat-free, making it one of the healthiest options for an afternoon snack.

Also, popcorn helps improve digestive health because it’s rich in fiber, which plays an important role in healthy digestion. However, how you eat your popcorn can change how healthy it is. Avoid adding saturated fat and sodium to your popcorn by using a hot air popper to pop the kernels.

According to the USDA, a three-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has 93 calories and 0.5 g fat.

In moderation, popcorn is a healthy snack. However, it’s important to pay attention when choosing brands and prepare your popcorn to avoid unwanted ingredients. More often than not, store-bought popcorn contains far too much fat and salt for it to be considered healthy.

Where Does Popcorn Come From?

Popcorn or popping corn expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn can pop because, like sorghum, quinoa, and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy filling that undergoes rapid expansion when heated.

Moreso, popcorn is made from corn kernels that are dried and then heated so that their hulls burst open, exposing the soft inner part of the kernel inside. As a result, it is mildly crunchy when popcorn is first popped. After it cools, however, it may become noticeably chewier. 

Popping popcorn requires that the hull withstand the heat of cooking to keep the kernels intact until they have all been heated to a point where they will explode at once.

Because of its popularity and cost-effectiveness, popcorn is also a very popular snack in movie theaters. Movie popcorn is often served with an artificial butter-like topping, making it addictive to eat.

No products found.

How Many Types of Popcorn Are There?

Is there more than one type of popcorn? Consider these facts: 

1. Popcorn can be found in various colors, shapes, sizes, and even cheese flavors. 

2. Popping corn has become a billion-dollar industry, supporting farmers and businesses worldwide. 

3. Iowa is the “Corn Capital” and the largest producer of popping corn in the United States. 

4. Americans love popcorn so much that 85% of households munched on it during the month of 2003. 

5. Popcorn is affordable, especially when enjoyed at home and not at the theater. 

6. Commercial sales from popcorn are growing significantly because it is often marketed as a healthier snack food alternative to chips, candy bars, or ice cream based on its fiber content (1 cup has 5 grams of fiber). 

7. Over 672 types of popcorn worldwide are economically grown in 80 countries, with America being the largest consumer, followed by Turkey, Italy, and Poland.

Here are the common types of popcorn: Butterfly and Mushroom.

Butterfly popcorn

Butterfly popcorn is the name given to popcorn with a pattern of thin butterfly-shaped florets or wings. It has traditionally been found in white and yellow corn but can be found in other varieties. The butterfly pattern is created by a remarkable variety of seed kernels that produce dozens of small ears that are easy to separate. It produces a one-of-a-kind popcorn look that is very popular with people who make popcorn treats at home.

It has the most beautiful and colorful appearance; the gold and purple colors are considered butterfly. The butterfly color is evenly distributed over the entire surface, not due to carbonization. It is very shiny and resilient in comparison with other types of colored popcorn; it can also be made into potato chips.

The butterfly is the most common pop popcorn style in the United States. Smaller kernels pop into larger flakes (hence the “butterfly-like” shape) with a narrow wingspan and soft, fluffy centers – a classic shape for flavored popcorn.

Mushroom popcorn

Mushroom popcorn is a type of popcorn with a mushroom shape, similar to pearl couscous. It is larger and contains fewer hulls than the standard butterfly or snowflake-shaped corns, making it easier to eat and chew.

They are ideal for butter and caramel lovers because they maintain their fluffy texture even when coated. In addition, they have sufficient surface area to catch and hold melted butter or dripping caramel.

Generally, the types of popcorn that one can buy in the store are Kernel corn-on-the-cob Microwave popcorn flavored with Artificial butter flavors like bacon. While there are many new or specialty varieties, these are traditionally the primary types sold. 

The most common colors and flavors of popcorn available for purchase include white, yellow, red, and blue. Some people prefer to grow their corn so that it does not need to be purchased from a retailer or grown in a garden.

How to Reheat Popcorn

How to Reheat PopcornThere are a few ways to reheat popcorn, and they all depend on what kind of popcorn you prefer. You can microwave popcorn, put it in the oven, or pop it in an air popper. As long as you know what your preferred method is, you’ll be able to enjoy your freshly heated popcorn in no time.

How to Reheat Popcorn in Pan

Fill a large and clean saucepan with 1 inch of water; bring to boil over medium-high heat. Place a steamer basket in the pan, ensuring the water doesn’t touch it. Add corn, cover, and steam until 3 to 5 minutes of heating through.

Another way to do this is by taking a large pan and pouring your popcorn into the pan (no butter or oil). Put the lid over the pan, then put it on medium heat. To reheat your popcorn, shake them every few seconds so they can be heated evenly. Reheat for 3-5 mins. Remove the popcorn from the pan and enjoy.

How to Reheat Popcorn in Air Fryer

Reheating popcorn in an air fryer is a great way to keep your popcorn fresh and crispy while avoiding a microwave. It’s a simple process that only requires a few minutes. Add your popcorn to the basket of your air fryer and heat at 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit until it reaches the desired temperature.

To quickly reheat popcorn in an air fryer, place the leftover popcorn in the basket and close the lid. Heat on high for 1 minute, giving the basket a shake halfway through. 

Also, you can mix the leftovers of popcorn with a tablespoon of oil. It will loosen the oil and make them more crispy. Air fry at 300-350°F for 3-5 minutes until the popcorn is reheated and crispy.

Check to make sure it’s heated through, then serve immediately. Kindly be sure not to overheat popcorn; otherwise, it will become soggy.

How to Reheat Popcorn in Oven

The best way to reheat popcorn is in an oven. Preheat it to 200°F, place your popcorn on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes. It works perfectly well if you want to reheat it as popcorn to become crunchy again.

To reheat freshly popped corn in the oven. 

1. First, preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) 

2. Spread popcorn out on a baking sheet 

3. Place the baking sheet with popcorn in the preheated oven 

4. Cook, uncovered until warmed through, about 10 minutes 

5. Check popcorn every few minutes so that it doesn’t burn

If the popcorn were previously popped with a small amount of oil and salt, it would be crispy when reheated in the oven or properly. It keeps the leftover popcorn crispier than reheating it in the microwave. Use an oven-safe dish or aluminum foil to put the popcorn into the oven.

How to Reheat Popcorn in Microwave

You can reheat leftover microwave popcorn in the microwave with a little aluminum foil and some water. Popcorn is one of those amazing snacks that you can eat at any time of the day or night, but it really is best when it’s fresh out of the microwave.

To reheat popcorn in the microwave:

  1. Put your popcorn into a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover your bowl with a lid, then carefully place it in the microwave.
  3. Heat your popcorn for 15-second intervals until it’s warm, so you don’t burn it. If you want crunchy popcorn, you can pop some more kernels to place on top of the batch you’re reheating when it’s done.

Meanwhile, reheating popcorn in the microwave is easy but soggy or burnt. However, you can reheat popcorn for a short time of around 1 minute by throwing all the popcorn into a microwave-proof bowl, covering it with a plate, and heating it.

How to Reheat Popcorn Kernels

How to Reheat Popcorn KernelsYou can popcorn kernels as long as they are semi-moist and aren’t burnt, like black and charred. Popcorn can be successfully reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop and is a fantastic way to jazz up popcorn into flavored, buttery kettle corn.

To reheat popcorn kernels, first set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a preheat. Once the oven is heated, put a layer of the popcorn kernels in the bottom of an oven-safe pan or shallow dish so that the kernels lie flat in a single layer. Cover with tinfoil and carefully place in the oven. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 5 minutes or until heated through.

Popcorn kernels, or seeds, are dry and hard. Some varieties may have a soft white hull covering the kernel when it is fresh, but all kernels lose that outer covering as they dry out. This type of ‘seed’ is not like the seeds you would find in a bean or pea pod. Popcorn can last for several years with proper storage while retaining its popping potential. 

Despite this fact, popcorn may become too dry to be enjoyed as popped kernels over time – depending on the conditions under which it is stored.

How to Reheat Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn chicken is a fried chicken snack originating from KFC and is similar to the shape of popcorn. They are small pieces of chicken covered in breading and cooked until crispy. If you have leftovers, you may wonder how to reheat popcorn chicken.

Here is a step by step guide to reheating Popcorn chicken:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. Take the popcorn chicken out of the refrigerator and place it back in the serving plate you cooked it in. 

3. Sprinkle some sea salt over the popcorn chicken. 

4. Place a slice of bread on top of the popcorn chicken to keep it from getting too dry in the oven. 

5. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until the popcorn chicken is heated through.

However, Popcorn Chicken can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you want to reheat your popcorn chicken, it’s best to do so in an oven. 

How Long Does It Take to Reheat Popcorn Chicken in an Air Fryer?

There are many different things you can heat up in an air fryer. One of them is popcorn chicken. Unfortunately, popcorn chicken can easily become cold and unappetizing, especially when it becomes stale. That’s why it’s important to know how long to reheat popcorn chicken in an air fryer so that you can enjoy delicious snacks without worrying about getting sick.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 ˚F. Dig through your bag of popcorn chicken, then evenly space the chicken in the basket, close the lid and cook for three minutes. Depending on the quantity you are heating, it may be fast or slow.

Popcorn chicken in an air fryer is easy and quick, as it normally takes 2 to 3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

 How to Reheat Garrett Popcorn

Heating your Garrett Popcorn at Home is simple: 

Garret popcorn can be reheated in the microwave by putting it in a microwave-approved container for no more than 1 minute, stirring, and repeating for another 30 seconds. Use 1-minute intervals because you don’t want to burn the popcorn or make it taste funny.

When using an oven:

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C).
  2. Arrange the popcorn in a single layer over a baking sheet.
  3. Heat 8-12 minutes, or until entirely warm.
  4. Stir occasionally to distribute the heat.

Stirring will prevent scorching.

However, Garrett popcorn is at its peak for about 24-36 hours after you first receive it. It can be reheated in a microwave afterward. However, the crispness of the popcorn will be lost.

How to Store Popcorn

How to Store PopcornOne tricky thing about making popcorn is its short shelf life. If you don’t finish your bowl of popcorn or make too much, you may be wondering how to store popcorn after cooking properly. Luckily, there are a few tricks to extend the life of your crunchy snack.

Storing popcorn at room Temperature

The method for storing popcorn depends on the type of popcorn being stored. Air-popped popcorn can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container. Kernel and oil-popped popcorn is best kept in the pantry for up to three months or in the freezer for up to nine to ten months.

All needed to store popcorn at room temperature is a large container with an airtight lid and a dry location with a constant cool temperature, such as a pantry or closet. The room temperature should be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Don’t store popcorn by direct sunlight, near an oven or refrigerator. Refrigeration and freezing are not recommended because it changes the moisture level of popcorn and can quickly make it stale once it’s removed from low temperatures.

However, because oil is used in the cooking process, moisture can cause it to develop mold relatively quickly. In addition, if gaps are left between the container and the popcorn, it will dry out and become stale.

Storing popcorn in the Fridge

Storing popcorn at fridge temperature can keep them fresh for a longer time. Whether you pop your popcorn in an air popper or by using oil, you’ll end up with fluffy and delicious popcorn.

To store popcorn in the Fridge, transfer the kernels (without oil or seasonings) to a plastic bag and keep it in the vegetable drawer. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing it shut to ensure maximum freshness. You can store popcorn in the Fridge for up to one week this way.

Popcorn kernels can generally keep in a cool, dark spot for up to a year, while the popped version won’t stay crispy for long. We recommend keeping popcorn in an airtight container with a lid or zipper closure to store popcorn at home.

 Storing popcorn in the freezer

Freezing popcorn is an excellent way to prolong its freshness. Store popped or unpopped popcorn in an airtight container such as a food-grade plastic freezer bag or a glass jar. To keep out moisture, you can store popcorn in the freezer (up to 1 year). Then, when you want to cook, take your popcorn out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. 

Meanwhile, Buying unpopped corn in bulk and storing it in the freezer is a great way to get a better price and be able to pop popcorn at a moment’s notice. 

Frequently Asked Question

 Can you warm up already made popcorn?

Yes, you can warm up already made popcorn in the microwave. Popcorn will get very hot, so be sure to let it sit for several minutes after heating.

Can you heat up popcorn in the microwave?

Yes, microwaves are great for popping popcorn in, especially when you don’t want to make a mess on the stovetop. In just a few minutes, you can have perfectly popped popcorn without all of the added butter that comes with bags recreated in oil.

Conclusion

Now that I have explained the process of heating popcorn, you should know how to reheat popcorn without any issues. You do know now how to heat the kernels without ruining them.

You must know how many different ways you can reheat popcorn before starting. Some methods perform better than others, and you will have to find out what works for you if you want your food to taste the best when it is warm.

What Is Popcorn

Homemade Popcorn

The popcorn expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Homemade Popcorn
Servings: 4
Calories: 139kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pot

Ingredients

  • ½ cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Oil and 2 kernels of popcorn are combined in a sizable, heavy-bottomed saucepan and heated over medium heat. It can take a few minutes for the kernels to pop, so wait it out while the pot is covered. Place a sizable serving bowl next to the burner so it will be available when you need it.
  • Put the remaining popcorn kernels in the saucepan after the kernels have popped, turn off the burner, and remove the pot from the heat. To distribute the kernels evenly, cover the saucepan once more and shake it slightly. In order to prevent the oil from being too hot before the kernels are ready to pop, let the pot rest for 60 seconds.
  • In order to ensure that the popcorn is cooked throughout, carefully jiggle the pot every few minutes on the burner after increasing the heat to medium. When the kernels begin popping, slightly lean the cover to let the steam out (see photo).
  • Cook on until the popping noise slows to one pop per few seconds or so. (If the popcorn starts to spill out of the pot, simply tip the top layer into your bowl and put it back on the heat.)
  • Put the popcorn into your serving bowl after removing the lid. Add a few pinches of salt to taste along with any other toppings to the popcorn. For the finest flavour and texture, toss the popcorn and serve right away. However, the popcorn will continue to taste fine for a while.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0.2g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Follow me