Easy Popping Corn on the Cob You’ll Love
Popping corn on the cob is a fun, family-friendly way to make fresh, fluffy popcorn straight from a dried corn cob. It’s full of toasty flavor, customizable with your favorite seasonings, and easy to prepare using the microwave, grill, oven, or air fryer.
Equipment
- Brown paper lunch bag (for microwave method)
- Pastry brush (for applying oil)
- Heatproof bowl
- Tongs
- Air fryer, grill, oven, or microwave (choose your method)
Ingredients
- 1 dried popcorn corn cob
- 1 tablespoon high-heat neutral oil like avocado or grapeseed oil
- Fine sea salt to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 teaspoon melted butter for classic movie flavor
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika for a smoky twist
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for savory crunch
- Pinch of cinnamon and powdered sugar for a sweet treat
Instructions
- Brush the dried corn cob lightly with oil, covering all sides.
- For microwave: Place cob in a brown bag, fold top twice, microwave 2–4 minutes until popping slows.
- For air fryer: Preheat to 400°F, wrap cob loosely in perforated foil, air fry 6–8 minutes.
- For grill: Wrap oiled cob in foil, grill over medium-high heat 8–10 minutes, rotating once.
- For oven: Place cob on parchment-lined baking sheet, bake at 425°F for 12–15 minutes.
- Carefully remove popped corn, season while warm, and enjoy!
Notes
Use only dried popcorn corn cobs - not sweet corn - to get the best popping results. Always handle hot bags, foil, and cobs with care after popping.