The best oil for your popcorn machine, according to chefs (2024)

FAQs

The best oil for your popcorn machine, according to chefs? ›

If you're looking to step up your popcorn game, we recommend coconut oil, canola oil, and avocado oil as the best three oils for your popcorn machine.

The type of oil that you use will affect the taste of the popcorn. The most common type that is used is coconut oil. It's normally regarded as the best tasting, and has long been a staple at movie theaters. However, the health-conscious often prefer canola oil, due to its lower fat and cholesterol content.

Use walnut, avocado or extra virgin olive oils

Walnut, avocado or extra virgin olive oils are best when making popcorn on the stovetop. Canola oil is the next best option. Flaxseed and wheat germ oil shouldn't be heated, so they don't really work for popping popcorn.

In most cases, movie theaters use coconut or canola oil for their popcorn. Both options provide a cleaner taste. Plus, coconut and canola oil are healthier alternatives to many types of oil.

A: We have this popper and love it! I like to use canola oil and my husband likes the taste of olive oil when he makes it. We have tried the taste of flavored popcorn oils and don't like them. I am sure you will enjoy experimenting and discovering which you like best.

While there are so many yummy popcorn flavors to choose from around the resort, they all use a blend of canola and coconut oil.

Add a small amount of salt and any other desired seasonings or flavorings to the oil. Add the popcorn kernels to the kettle, making sure they are evenly distributed. Close the lid of the popcorn machine and turn it on. Allow the machine to run until the popping slows down, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

It's a personal preference—and there are certainly people who eat both and wouldn't even notice the difference.” AMC, Regal, and Marcus theaters use coconut oil, while Cinemark opts for canola, and other regional chains use a blend.

The Canola Oil, which we pop our corn in, is gluten free, but some individuals with Celiac Disease experience a laxative effect. The popcorn salt that we use to pop the corn with could contain dairy.

The flavor all comes down to one ingredient: Flavacol. You've likely never heard of Flavacol because, really, only movie theaters use it. Essentially, it's butter-flavored salt. It's a really fine, bright orange powder that adds that buttery flavor you crave and the signature yellow color.

Is canola oil good for popcorn machine? ›

Canola Oil: Canola oil is the most popular alternative to coconut oil as it is flavorful while still being low in saturated fat. When using this oil for popcorn, you will enjoy a buttery taste that comes close to the classic taste of coconut oil popcorn.

When popping on the stove, don't fret about using oil. If you choose wisely, such as coconut, avocado, olive or grapeseed, this oil can provide healthy fats helpful for energy, brain and hormone health. Oil also contributes flavor and prevents the kernels from burning as they pop.

8 ounce popcorn machine: use 1/3 cup oil and 1 cup popcorn. 12 ounce popcorn machine use: 1/2 cup oil & 1-1/2 cups popcorn. 14 ounce popcorn machine: use 1/2 cup oil and 1-3/4 cups popcorn. 16 ounce popcorn machine: use 2/3 cup oil and 2 cups popcorn.

By making popcorn at home, you are avoiding the highly refined oils and preservatives that you find in many store bought brands. We suggest using olive oil, as it's the healthiest oil option and it helps to create the ultimate crunch.

As far as taste goes, some people say that butter has a richer flavor while others find that olive oil tastes fresher. Of course, olive oil will have a hard time competing with butter on movie theater popcorn, but it tastes amazing drizzled over anything from salmon filets to salads to ice cream.

Measure your popcorn kernels and add your oil (nothing fancy needed). Because the total output of popcorn is pretty small, you can afford to experiment with the amounts of oil and any salt you want to use. I use popcorn salt and for myself; about a half teaspoon.