Popcorn is a relatively healthy snack that can be enjoyed at any time and with several different fixings added in, such as caramel glaze, melted butter and even chocolate shavings. The most popular time to enjoy this crunchy snack is undoubtedly when you’re watching a movie.

You don’t even have to visit the movie theater or have a stash of microwavable bags of popcorn at home to enjoy this treat. Believe it or not, you can actually learn how to make popcorn right from corn on the cob. It’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes when using the microwave.

What's the Difference Between Popcorn and Corn?

  1. Corn: It is also known as maize. They are the hard kernels that grow in ears or cobs that are covered in a leafy husk. You can visit farms to pick them yourself or grab a package

    usually found without the husk

    at the grocery store.

    2. Popcorn: This crunchy snack contains the hard shell of a kernel but also a soft, puffed-up outer shell on top. 

    3. The biggest difference between popcorn and corn: In the end, it all comes down to the fact that one is essentially "popped" and the other is not. Popcorn becomes popped corn when the kernels are heated with enough pressure that they blow up.

How to Make Popcorn From Corn on the Cob

This method of learning how to make corn on the cob popcorn is super quick to do since it uses the microwave. It also requires only two ingredients: butter and corn on the cob. Start by removing any of the silks on your corn on the cob and then lathering it with butter, just as you would if it were a regular boiled or grilled piece of corn on the cob.

Next, place the corn in a brown paper bag and close it tightly. Add a second bag so that both ends of the corn are in both bags and facing separate directions. Place everything into the microwave and cook for four minutes at 50 to 75 percent power.

Which Brand of Popcorn Pops Fastest?

When you’re enjoying a movie night with friends, the last thing you want to do is miss out on the first few minutes because your popcorn was taking too long to pop. This is why knowing which brand of popcorn pops the fastest is helpful.

There are several popcorn brands out there, including:

  • Orville Redenbacher
  • Act II
  • Jiffy Pop
  • Trader Joe's popcorn

When it comes down to it, though, Orville Redenbacher was found to pop the fastest, with most kernels popping at around one and a half minutes.

Tips on How to Make Corn Kernels for Popcorn

If you prefer to make popcorn pretty much from scratch, the trick to doing so is to dry out the kernels for an appropriate amount of time to ensure they pop correctly.

Start by picking only ears of corn that have hard kernels and dry, papery husks. Next, pull the husks off the ears and toss. Heat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the ears on a roasting pan. Turn the oven down to its lowest setting – 200 degrees F or below – and place the roasting pan into the oven overnight to dry the ears while leaving the oven door slightly ajar.

Once dried, you can use them right away by placing an entire ear of dried corn into a paper bag and folding over the top of the bag to close it, taping the bag down. Then, microwave on high power for two to three minutes or until the sound of popping begins to slow with two seconds between pops.

About the Author

Sarah Kester

Sarah is a writer, editor and cat mom. Lover of wine, rom-coms, and all things self-care, she’s inspired by mindfulness and helping others feel balanced in their lives through meditation, self-love and self-care. After all, what's balance without Saturday morning yoga and green juice and a glass of rosé later that evening? She has written for The Greatest, Elite Daily, YourTango, Vital Proteins, among others. To learn more, you can find her at her website sarahkester.com.