Popcorn is a popular snack that we all know tastes best when freshly popped, but occasionally, you can’t help having leftovers.
Generally, people will have pre popped movie theater popcorn that they brought home after going to the movies.
Indeed, the stale ones don’t taste good at all! It will be a waste if you throw it away, but many people don’t know the right way to reheat popcorn.
Luckily, this article has got you all useful tips on how to reheat popcorn! Scroll down!
Why Does My Popcorn Lose Its Crispiness?
The reason for this situation can come from the making or the storing process. As for the preservation, it could be that your popcorn is moist, which results in the loss of crispness.
Besides, here are some factors in the making process which also causes stale pop kernels:
- Not adding enough salt: Many people don’t know the importance of this ingredient. Salt is a major factor to help the kernels pop perfectly and give you a fluffy outcome.
- Lack of heat and agitation: It is important to heat the kernels evenly and keep them moving while making popcorn. Or else, it will ruin the process and result in chewy popcorn.
- False steam control: During the popping phase, the steam must go out of the pot. Unless it escapes, the popcorn will absorb the steam and get tough.
- The popcorn: Your popcorn still loses its crispness even when you follow the recipe, right? Maybe you should have a look at the expiration date of your kernels. It can be the reason why you only get tough kernels.
Old kernels will lose their moisture, which is often referred to as old maids or spinsters. It is the factor that creates the pressure, allowing the corn to pop. That’s why losing the moisture causes the corn to not pop.
How To Reheat Popcorn?
1. By Oven
This is the best suggestion for “how to heat up popcorn”. If you follow the right recipe, your snack will be no different from freshly popped kernels.
The dry heat will save the crispness and give you a nice, good bowl of fluffy kernels.
Instruction:
- Preheat your oven until it reaches 250 °F.
- Cover the tray with a baking sheet, then spread the popcorn evenly.
- Put the popped kernels into the oven for about 5 minutes. If you want to add any seasonings to your snacks, prepare them now.
- Make sure the popcorn doesn’t get burned by checking on it every minute. You can remove the baking sheet if it starts to turn brown.
- Take the snack out and serve in a bowl or plate.
Pros: The dryness in the oven will reheat the popcorn completely.
Cons: The process takes much more time than using a microwave, and we have to preheat the equipment.
2. By Microwave
Using a microwave is the fastest and easiest way to revive stale popcorn.
Instructions:
- Place your popcorn in a microwave dish.
- Cover the dish with a moist paper towel to retain the moisture.
- Set the heat level to medium. Don’t let it get too hot, or the popcorn will be hard as a rock.
- Place the corn in and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Take the dish out and stir. Check if it is crispy to your liking. If it’s not, cook for an additional 10-15 seconds more.
- Serve and enjoy right away.
Pros: This method is time-saving and simple; you can have your freshened popcorn in less than a minute.
Cons: The crispness can’t last for a long time. If you use this method, finish your dish as soon as possible.
3. By Professional Popcorn Warmers
If you are a fan of this snack, please have a professional popcorn warmer in your kitchen. Reheating popcorn this way is better than the two above.
Instruction
- Plugin the machine.
- Turn on the heat lamp to warm the case.
- Carefully put your popcorn in the warming case.
- When you are ready to have your popcorn, serve it and enjoy.
Pros: This way restores the crispiness of your popcorn, and you can take your snack whenever you want.
Cons: It requires a professional that hardly appears in everyone’s kitchen.
4. By a Pan
The process of reviving popcorn stale is quite similar to making one. You will need a frying pan and a stove for this.
Instruction:
- Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat.
- Pour a little oil or butter into the pan.
- When the oil heats properly, put the popcorn in.
- Cover the pan with the lid to retain the moisture.
- Let it cook for 30 seconds, then remove the lid.
- Check the popcorn if it is crispy to your liking.
If not, cover the pan with the lid again and cook for a few more seconds. - Serve and enjoy the dish.
Pros: This seems to be a simple reheating method.
Cons: The popped kernels will not be heated evenly.
How To Keep Popcorn Crispy?
The key to keep your popcorn crispy is how you prevent it from getting moist. These simple tips are useful for any type of popcorn:
If you are popping the corn in a humid atmosphere, do as fast as possible as the starch will start to absorb moisture immediately.
After finishing the popping process, let your product cool and store it in an airtight container immediately. The point is to protect it from humidity, so keep it dry at all costs. Adding a food-friendly desiccant like silica gel will help.
You can store your snack at room temperature. For longer storing, leave it in the fridge or a freezer.
How To Make Popcorn?
Here is a quick recipe for making popcorn at home on your stove.
- For food preparation: oil, kernels, and salt.
- Put the pan on the stove, cover it with oil and turn on the heat to medium-high.
- Place 2 or 3 kernels in the center of the pan to check when it’s ready. Remove them when popped.
- Add about half a cup of kernels and spread them evenly on the pan surface.
- Cover the pan with a lid and turn the heat off. Leave it there for about 30 seconds.
- Turn the heat again, and the popcorn will begin to pop instantly.
- When the popping increases, shake the pan back and forth. Remove the pan from the stove if it begins to pop slower.
- Remove the lid and then pour popped kernels into serving bowls.
- Season to your tastes. You can also add melted butter if you prefer.
- Enjoy your snack.
