air popped popcorn?

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-21-2009, 03:48 PM

My kids love microwave popcorn but they only want the buttery ,salty stuff.

A. it can get expensive
B. it's not healthy
c. it doesn't smell that good
d. One bag isn't enough( for the whole family ) and two is too much

So I bought an air popper.
Found it at thrift for 2.00

I just made some and the end result is so much better then the microwaved stuff. It tastes better , I can control how much gets cooked, and almost every kernel popped.
I loved it but the kids want more flavor.
They use to have powdered flavor's in little shaker jars but I am unable to find any.

Does anyone have any good recipes to share? I'm looking for healthy options. Or maybe you know where I can still find the shaker bottle flavors. My favorit is white chedder

I can't understand why air popped fell out of favor. It's cheaper, tastes better and doesn't take any more time then the microwave.

**imagine** · 07-21-2009, 04:34 PM

Congratualtions on your air popper!

I don't have any recipes for flavor. I couldn't get shake stuff to stick.

I weaned by children to naked air popped popcorn. You just mix in the bagged stuff with the air popped, each time add less and less.

**AmyBoz** · 07-21-2009, 04:47 PM

I like it plain, but the kids like when we melt a little butter and pour it on. We aren't big "flavor" people on our corn. They just like a little butter flavor, but like you said, with the air popper, I can control how much.

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-21-2009, 05:02 PM

your right , I need to just ween them off it. Like crack

**Debbie-cat** · 07-21-2009, 05:40 PM

If you want to stay healthier for the kids an easy, cheap and healthy way is to spray the popcorn with Pam or butter flavored cooking spray then sprinkle with salt. It definitely helps. I haven't seen those flavored shakers for a while.

**semo_mom** · 07-21-2009, 06:05 PM

I don't use an air popper, I just use the stove top. I sometimes put a small bit of bacon grease in with the oil before popping to give it a flavor. I also from time to time sprinkle it with grated parm cheese while it's still hot. I have even sprinkled a bit of garlic powder on it before.

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-21-2009, 09:36 PM

We don't like air popped because it is loud, and it comes out dry like styrofoam. I grew up on stovetop popped corn which comes out more nutty. DH hated the oily feel of it.

We got a Presto Power Pop microwave popcorn cooker. Best of both worlds. I think it tastes better than air pop and it uses no oil. You just put ordinary plain popcorn kernels into it.

I enjoy real butter on mine, but if you're looking for butter flavored stuff lot of folks still make it: http://www.shopwiki.com/Popcorn+Butter+Seasoning

**Luckybustert** · 07-21-2009, 11:11 PM

Have seen a lot of recipes for homemade popcorn seasoning online but most include instructions to add it to buttered popcorn.

I have this one: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/v...rt-Corn-Popper

Love it, love it, love it!

Never could get used to air-popped popcorn....like styrofoam is what I thought too.

**semo_mom** · 07-21-2009, 11:59 PM

Well I've had popcorn on the brain ever since I posted earlier but also wanted something sweet. I looked in the fridge and noticed I had about 1/4 bag of chocolate chips left and decided to melt it and drizzle it over some popcorn. Yum!

I ate too much though, now my belly hurts.

**mauimagic** · 07-22-2009, 12:28 AM

Love the picture of your pouring chocolate on your popcorn!!

We mix nori mixtures (furikake) on ours and love it!!

**frugalfranny** · 07-22-2009, 02:31 AM

Have you checked your stores that sells the 'bulk food' items for the white cheddar?

A store here sells not only regular bulk food but spices.......they always have the white cheddar. It is sort of a specialtiy store but decent prices for spices especially. I agree, it is good.

**frugalwarrior** · 07-22-2009, 04:44 AM

We just use unflavored popcorn but buy diff kinds of corn. We shop at Amishmart.com for red,yellow and black corn. They have distinct flavors. Amishmart has specials but can be pricy. Don't even get started on their saltwater taffy.Yum.
The only reason we don't like our air popper is its LOUD. So loud our dogs want out.LOL.

**strezzed** · 07-22-2009, 08:19 AM

I love air popped popcorn. I'm a big snacker so I like the fact that it has very few calories for all those kernels. I just use a little Pam and flavouring that I buy at the grocery store.

**ladykemma2** · 07-22-2009, 08:28 AM

i just use a little (well, a lot...) of butter and salt. toss

**Rangia** · 07-22-2009, 08:38 AM

I love air popped popcorn. Its a great snack. I do like it with and without butter.

As far as flavored popcorn they tend to be easy enough to make. I had a friend that used to make them because she couldn't afford the ones in the tins from the specialty stores back when. Haven't seen any of those stores is quite a awhile.

For example for Pizza Flavored add a bit of garlic powder, italian seasoning, parmesan and a dash of paprika to hot popcorn.

For chicken flavored use a small amount of chicken stock powder.

For cheese, use either parmesan or finely shredded cheddar when using cheddar place in the oven for a for minutes to finish melting.

Other things I have heard of is Tang, Cajan spices, sort of a chex mix thing.