How To Cook Popcorns While Camping? 5 Easiest Ways

17.3 billion popcorns!
This is the number of popcorn Americans consume annually. (view source)

This is such an easy snack to have while on a camp. Imagine having popcorns and sitting around the campfire and telling stories or singing your favorite songs or you can even play some games. Talking of snacks we check out our article on how to bake cookies while camping.

The most valid reason to have popcorns on the campsite would be it is so easy to make and you canâ€™t deny the fact that they are delicious. It is famous as a favorite movie time snack.

If you still need some more reasons to have popcorns while camping, here some more reasons to have:

It is healthy! It is a low calory snack to have, and you can have as many as you want. It only has 31 calories in it.
It is 100% whole grain and also contains fibers and antioxidants.
Itâ€™s easy to cook and does not give you greasy fingers while eating them.

We have the solution to how to cook popcorns while camping, of course on the campfire, and the right step-by-step way to do it.

Letâ€™s get started, shall we?

5 Ways To Cook Popcorns While Camping

Well, itâ€™s just popcorns, it shouldnâ€™t be that difficult. Yes, it is effortless, but you need a proper technique to ensure that every kernel pops and you do not waste the kernels. The kernels left unpopped are called old maids. Too many old maids are not good.

1. Foil Pouches

This is just like preparing food packets for camping, but instead of food, you will be preparing popcorns. Here is the way how to do it correctly.

You will require heavy-duty aluminum foil. Other than this type, all other foil will burn in the fire.
You will require vegetable oil or butter will also do.
Do not cut out oil in nake of health, because it will take a lot of time for it to pop.
Other requirements- popcorn kernels, salt, a campfire stick (the one that is forked shapes are preferred), a campfire.
Cut out a square of the foil and put two tablespoons of kernels into the middle of one of the half of the foil.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of oil.
Add salt to taste.
Fold the foil over the popcorn and oil.
Crimp the ends to secure the packet. Fold it a couple of times.
Donâ€™t pack it too tight, because the kernels need space to pop, otherwise, they will tear the foil and they might become the part of ashes in the campfire.
Make sure there are several layers of foil around the top so that when you poke the campfire stick, the packet does fall off.
You want the edge to be sturdy and thick.
You can, of course, make them beforehand, to save time on the campsite.
Poke the campfire fork through that thick band of foil you created in the previous steps.
Hold this packet over the campfire. Donâ€™t put it in the flames. Just like you roast your marshmallows.
Shake it from time to time, but not too much that it falls off the stick and falls in the campfire.
When you hear enough pops, and think they are all done. Open the packet carefully. It will be steamy hot inside.
Enjoy your popcorns.

2. Using Pie Tins

This is also very easy to do and it hardly takes you 10 mins, or even less if you are brisk at working with a campfire.

You will require:

Popcorns kernels
Vegetable oil
Garlic powder (optional). Or any kind of seasoning you like.
Kosher salt

How to pop popcorns over a pie tin? Here is how:

Put the popcorns kernels and oil in the tin.
Do not overload the tin, overcrowding will lead you to many old maids.
Cover it with foil, but doming the top to leave enough room for the kernel to pop.
Keep it over the campfire
Shake the tin from time to time with tongs.
Season with salt and garlic powder.
And toss a little to mix the seasoning uniformly.
And voila! You are ready.

3. Old Fashioned Pan Style

This is like cooking popcorns just like you do at home. You will need the basic requirements of popcorns and a deep pan with a long handle. A dutch oven works but it difficult to shake it as it is heavy.

Here is how to cook popcorns in a pan.

Add oil and spread it around the base and sides.
Add the kernels. Only add enough to layer the base.
Add salt to taste.
Put the lid on and put it over the fire.
If your pan does not come with a lid you can cover it with an inverted pie tin or heavy-duty foil.
Let the pot heat up until you hear the first pop.
Put up the pot and shake it to ensure all the kernels pop.
Donâ€™t let the pan sit on the fire for more than a couple of hours.
When you hear the popping is slowed down a bit.
You can remove the lid now, but keep your face away, as some kernels might be popping.
You are ready to have your popcorns.

4. DIY Mini Popcorn Vending Machine

As fun it sounds, it pretty fun to build it, and using it also very easy. You will be more surprised when you hear the requirements.

2 empty soft drink tin cans. (coke cans will do)
A candle.
Popcorn essentials
Matchstick
Swish knife, or all in one pocket tool kit.

Popcorn vending machine out of cans? Yes, here is how:

Clean the cans and get your safety gloves ready.
Cut one from the top leaving the 3/4th from the end, using the swish knife.
This will act as a burner, and hold the candle. So it is important to secure the cut ends of the can by folding them inside. Folding will provide a grip for the other can as well.
Cut a square from both sides of the burner, so that candle gets its oxygen to burn.
Hammer the end of the burner can so that it becom3es flat to hold the candle.
Now preparing the other can. You just require to cut out a little window that opens from downwards.
This can will pop the kernels and the popcorns will come out from the window.
Keep this can over the burner. After you put in the burning candle.
Insert the kernel mixed with oil inside the top can from the top opening of the can. The opening used to drink the beverages from.
Keep a container in front of the downwards window and collect popcorns.
Season as per your wish.

Here is a youtube video for the same method. Use this as a visual guide for yourself.

5. Campfire Popcorn Popper

We saved the best for last. It is cookware especially designed to cook popcorns. It is mostly made of mesh, or sometimes it is opaque.

It is shaped like a shell with a long handle to hold it over the fire.

It is effortless to use. Just put the kernels, with oil of course. If your popcorn popper is made out of mesh then skip the oil. The campfire does the flavoring part.

Hold this popper over the campfire and shake it continuously. Wait for all the kernels to pop. here is a youtube video to help you with how exactly it works.

Empty this in a large bowl, season it and enjoy!

Some Seasoning Ideas For Popcorns

These all seasoning ideas are not too fancy but appropriate for camping. Popcorns are more fun with seasonings.

1. Spicy Paprika

1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
2 tablespoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of garlic
Salt
Mix all of these. And done!

2. Piri-Piri Popcorns

I am not sure you can create Piri- Piri seasoning at home from scratch.
Get the ready-made seasoning and toss the popcorns with this seasoning and you are good to go.

3. Sâ€™more

Toss in a handful of mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed up graham cracker bits to create a sâ€™more-style popcorn trail mix.
The marshmallows and chocolate melt into the popcorn for a sticky and satisfying treat.

4. Kettle Corn

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar along with the salt and oil while you pop the popcorn.
It tastes like the kettle corn youâ€™ll find at a carnival and itâ€™s just as addicting.

FAQs

Can you make popcorn on a grill?

Yes. Simply throw your kernels in an aluminum foil pan, cover with foil and cook on the grill at 350Â°F for about 10 minutes. Top with your favorite seasoning or opt for barbecue flavored seasoning for true BBQ Popcorn. Place on grill until the kernels begin to pop. Using tongs, shake once popping begins.

How do you make popcorn on a stove with foil?

Cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil and poke 10 slits in the top with a knife. Place the bowl over medium heat and shake constantly using a pair of tongs to hold the bowl. Continue shaking until the popcorn finishes popping, approximately 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully remove the foil.

Can you pop popcorns on a cob?

Put whole corn cob, or extracted kernels, into a medium-size paper bag. Fold the end of the bag over twice, and microwave on high heat until popping slows to between 2â€“3 seconds. Be careful of steam when you open the bag. Enjoy your popcorn on the cob!

What is some healthy seasoning for popcorns?

Spice up your popcorn in a healthy way by adding hot sauce or melt a couple of ounces of cheese on your popcorn. You also can try a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar or eat your popcorn with pickles or jalapeÃ±o peppers. Make sure to add spices and seasonings and not powders, flavorings, or a lot of salt.

Can you pop popcorns without oil?

Take the heaviest, lidded pot you have (cast-iron is ideal) and cover the bottom with a single layer of kernels. Pour water over the top of the kernels until they’re covered, but not floating. Put the covered pot on the burner, and turn the heat on medium-high. Periodically shake the pan.

Conclusion

I hope this article helped you with how to properly cook popcorns over a campfire. If you have a portable projector and electricity source, then you might also have a movie night with different flavors of popcorns for each of the members. That would be whole another experience.

If you have any new ideas on how to cook popcorns, do share them with us through the comment section. We would love to hear those.

Check out our guides on camping on our website.

Until then happy camping!