Popcorn is an ancient snack, first enjoyed by American natives that grew maize. They didn’t have microwaves – so you don’t need one either! Technically, all you need to pop kernels of popcorn is heat. That means you’re in luck, and yes, you can make popcorn in your toaster oven.
It’s possible to make popcorn in a toaster oven because the oven will apply a sufficient amount of heat to the kernels. To keep the popcorn from popping all over the place inside the toaster oven, use a cage or a tent of tin foil.
The best part about using a toaster oven for your popcorn is that it’s likely one of the healthiest ways to make it.
In the case of a toaster oven vs. a microwave, with a toaster oven, you can season the popcorn yourself, so you can make a conscious decision to add less salt and butter.
If it’s toaster vs. stovetop, in most cases, everyone uses oil for flavoring and to keep the kernels from burning. When using a cage in a toaster oven, you’ll have to take a hard pass on using oil if you want to avoid a fire hazard or a smoky mess.
So, there you have it – using your toaster oven for popcorn is a win-win. If you’re ready to experiment, here are the first few steps you’ll need to take.
Making Popcorn in a Toaster Oven
There’s nothing conventional about using your toaster oven for making popcorn, but once you taste it, you’ll see that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this method.
If you’re looking for a healthier, oil-free way to enjoy popcorn, this is one of your best bets. Or, if you don’t have a microwave, stovetop, or quick access to an oven, a toaster oven may be an easy pick.
Here’s the super quick-and-easy way to make popcorn in your toaster oven.
What You’ll Need
The prep required for making popcorn is always close to nil, and it’s no different when using a toaster oven. You’ll just need popcorn kernels (check out unusual varieties here) and tin foil OR a toaster oven cage – you’ll likely find a rotisserie cage.
Using tin foil will make for easy cleanup, but using a cage will be better for watching the popcorn pop and get rid of the temptation to use oil. This is how you’ll use a toaster oven cage for the popcorn:
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While it’s warming up, place a layer of kernels in the cage, close it, and set it inside your toaster oven once it’s preheated.
- Then it’s just time to wait. The popcorn will pop quickly, so once the cage is full, you can turn off the oven and remove the cage. Let it sit before opening.
- Note: If you want to make your popcorn with oil, you’ll quickly see why going the cage route is a bad idea. Keep reading for the tin foil method you’ll want to use.
In a pinch, most people don’t have cages for toaster ovens, but it’s still possible to make popcorn without making a mess. Just rip off a sheet of tin foil, and you’ll find that this process is a bit different but quite simple.
- If using tin foil, it may be easier to start by forming a boat-like shape with the foil first, with the two ends pointing up.
- Once your “boat” is ready, pour the popcorn along the bottom of the boat, according to how much you want, and drizzle it with a tablespoon of oil. Then close it tightly at the top so that kernels won’t escape once the popping starts.
- You won’t be able to see the kernels popping like you would be able to with a cage, so one conventional microwave and movie concessions trick is to listen closely to the popcorn. Once the popping slows to about 3-5 seconds between pops, you’re safe to take out your popcorn boat.
- Note: When prepping, don’t add too many kernels, and don’t make the foil boat too small, or the extra popcorn may fall out once you open it.
After that, it’s up to you to season your popcorn with whatever you have on hand. And if you have guests, popcorn is always a crowd-pleaser, so you can’t go wrong by setting out a few tasty seasonings and letting your friends dress up their bowls.
Now, if the oven is taken and your roommate is thawing five pounds of food in the microwave, you know how to whip up a quick snack in your toaster oven.
And there’s no need to stop there – if you want to change up your salty snack routine one day, read on for more ideas that will take the edge off of your hunger.
More Toaster Oven Snacks
Toaster ovens cook faster than the larger models, so it stands to reason that if you want to have a warm snack before running out of the house, or settling in to relax, study, or work, a toaster oven is a perfect appliance to have especially if you want food that’s a little more high maintenance compared to microwaved bites.
If you find yourself in this situation pretty often, don’t get stuck eating the same thing over and over – here’s a chance to try something new.
- Chips and Crisps – Do you have a vegetable slicer or a steady hand with a knife? Now’s the time to put it to work with potatoes, apples, carrots, zucchini, or whatever you’d like. You don’t need a fancy dehydrator, just a pan, oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a few minutes. Adjust the seasonings as you please, then pop your sliced foods into the toaster oven at 450 degrees.
- Tortilla Wraps – This can make for a satisfying light lunch, and it’s versatile enough that you can use many different fillings. Place a tortilla on a baking sheet and layer it with deli meat, cheese, spinach, olives, peppers… the list can go on. Whatever you’d like baked onto a crispy shell, lay it on thick.
- Hot Trail Mix – Think about your favorite trail mix. Do you prefer peanuts, cashews, almonds, or all of the above? Sweet or savory flavors? Now make it better. Sprinkle the nuts with a seasoning you’ll love. Toss in bits of spicy jerky or dried fruit. And don’t hesitate to drizzle it all with chocolate. There’s no room for guilt with a toaster oven recipe.
- Fancy Eats – If you really want to get creative, and have extra time on your hands, scan the delicious appetizers listed on 25 Toaster Oven Appetizers For Your Next Party. And luckily, a few of the options, like apple nachos and baked pita chips, will actually be a pretty quick fix.
These unique recipes can satisfy a demanding appetite in case you get tired of scarfing down popcorn, and it’s a good way to help you think outside the box.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’re feeling armed with the ability to pop, toast, and roast some popcorn and great foods galore.
It all just goes to show that you can find many ways to use and appreciate your toaster oven. Of course, you’re going to use it for the occasional pizza bagels, but these ideas are meant to help you up your snacking game.
So, go ahead and get started with your first test: making the popcorn! When you’re finished, load it up with whatever you want to treat yourself – chocolate candies, nuts, anything.
Once you have your new popcorn recipe down, and you’ve wowed your friends, a world of new food creations is at your disposal. And the only issues with those creations? The fact that you won’t want to share.