How to Pop Popcorn Over A Campfire!

Can you imagine a better scenario than enjoying some delicious popcorn after a long day of hiking? Be prepared for other hikers to stop by and enjoy some of your campfire popcorn.

You can pop popcorn over a campfire with ease, in tin foil, in a pan, with a campfire popper. The easiest way to pop popcorn over a campfire is to bring some Jiffy Pop as it is already in a tin foil bag in a pan.

The following examples are a few ways to make popcorn with a campfire using only a few items. But, of course, you can make it in large batches, which is ideal for a family outing.

How Do I Make Popcorn Over A Campfire With Tin Foil? 

Aluminum tin foil works really well for campfire popcorn because it has high thermal conductivity. You can also feel comfortable using it to make popcorn because it doesn’t transfer tremendous amounts of heat. To start, you’ll need to get a pie pan to place your popcorn kernels in. 

Coat the pie pan with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Use tongs and spread your kernels on the bottom of the pie pan to ensure they all get evenly coated. Once you’ve prepared the kernels for cooking, use tin foil to tightly wrap the pan to get placed over the grill grate of your fire.

After about 2-3 minutes, you’ll have freshly made campfire popcorn. All you need to do is remove the pan from the heat, take the foil off, and enjoy!

Can I Make Campfire Popcorn With A Pan? 

You can absolutely make campfire popcorn with a pan, but follow these crucial tips to keep it from burning. There are a few things to take care of before you begin.

You’ll need a large cast-iron skillet (about 12 inches works fine) because it can handle the hot temperatures over direct flames. A quality cooking glove is also necessary to safely lift the pan’s handle because it will get very hot.

Similarly to using a pie pan, you need to get the base coated with vegetable oil. Next, crimp your edges tightly with foil again. As your cast iron pan gets hot, give it a good shake every 20-30 seconds.

Once the popcorn begins to pop, gently shake your pan to ensure none of it burns. Once four to five seconds pass between pops, it’s just about done.

Can You Make Popcorn Over A Campfire With A Popcorn Popper?

A tasty evening snack can be easier than ever if you have a popcorn popper. There are many brands available that you can use to place directly over your fire. Some of the most popular models have a box-like design where you can place kernels on a conveniently located side latch.

Then, you can put the popper right over the flames. It can be more convenient too because you don’t need to use any oil or butter. These models can easily be used in a firepit because they have safe handles that stay cool to the touch.

Other versions have circular designs. Depending on the model you select, you can typically make anywhere between 2-4 quarts.

Can I Make Campfire Popcorn With Limited Supplies? 

You can still make popcorn if you don’t have a popcorn popper or a cast-iron skillet nearby. All you’ll need is some heavy-duty aluminum foil and a skewer ( one that you use to roast marshmallows with works fine). Fold a large sheet of aluminum foil in half and add 2-3 tablespoons of popcorn kernels. Then add your vegetable oil in and make sure it’s evenly coated.

This method will create a little “pocket” to cook your popcorn in. Make sure one side is a little thicker because you’ll poke a hole through to allow steam to escape. You can use a metal skewer to do this. Once ready, hover the pocket above the flames to cook your popcorn. Once the popping slows, you can eat it directly out of the makeshift bowl you just made.

Tip: Using Jiffy Pop Popcorn is so simple and a lot of fun to cook over a campfire. We did this when I was a kid and we enjoyed watching the tin foil expand as the popcorn popped in the bag. Then we ripped open the bag and divided out the portions between us. Easy clean up too.

What Are Easy Ways To Season My Campfire Popcorn? 

Popcorn made over a campfire is already delicious because smoke from your campfire already flavors the popcorn. As long as you use enough oil, it tastes great with just a little salt and pepper. There are fun ways to take the deliciousness a step further.

• Kettle corn-  Mix in 2 tablespoons of white sugar with salt and oil while you’re making the popcorn.
• S’mores popcorn– This recipe really sets the tone for a campfire snack. Before you eat all the hot popcorn yourself, mix in chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers, and marshmallows. The heat from the popcorn will melt the chocolate and marshmallows for a satisfying treat.
• Spicy- There’s always someone in your crowd who loves the spice of life. A few tablespoons of paprika, one tablespoon each of chili powder, and garlic salt or seasoning take the heat level up a few notches. For even more heat, sprinkle on some cayenne pepper.

What’s The Easiest Way To Share Popcorn With Campers? 

Nobody wants to pass around one bowl to eat popcorn from, and you’ll likely end up with more on the ground (especially with kids!) Some of the best items to keep snacks in for camping are inexpensive and durable.

A collapsible container works well because you can give everyone the desired amount they want and close it up when finished. You may also want to consider reusable sandwich bags because they don’t need to be thrown away, and you’ll be doing your part to protect our environment. They are easy to clean as well.

Tip: For our family, we decorated lunch size paper bags and we used for the entire camping trip. Lots of fun before and during the trip. We decorate the bag for a family member and then pull out the bag and guess which person it was designed for and enjoy the interactions. We use stickers, markers and paint to decorate the bags(all non-toxic).

As you can see, making popcorn over a campfire is not difficult. It’s just another way to bring your family together and create long-lasting memories for years to come. Ensure you have the right equipment and follow these steps carefully so that this snack doesn’t get burned! 

Wondering what age kids can start eating popcorn on your camping trip, read here.