Can You Reheat Unpopped Popcorn Kernels?

Are you ever frustrated to find unpopped kernels in the bottom of your big bowl of popcorn? If so, you might wonder if you can reheat the unpopped popcorn kernels.

You’ve probably tried to eat an unpopped kernel or two but then stopped because those hard unpopped kernels are just too much for your teeth! So, rest assured, you can reheat unpopped popcorn kernels!

Thankfully, it’s a pretty easy process. So, if you want to understand why kernels don’t always pop and how to reheat them so you can keep munching, keep reading.

We’ll also explain the best way to make popcorn so you can get the best results with fewer unpopped kernels in your bowl.

Why Are There Unpopped Kernels in my Popcorn?

For a popcorn kernel to pop, it takes two ingredients – heat and moisture. They have to come together in just the right way for a kernel to pop.

When kernels become dried out, whether they’re left in the bag for too long or just due to the environment, it’s difficult to get them to pop properly, even when you have them in the microwave or on the stovetop.

You might read about kernels needing moisture and heat and become tempted to boil your popcorn kernels, but that would be a mistake. Boiling will make them soggy, not light and airy. You need more heat!

Can You Eat Unpopped Kernels?

Sometimes, people refer to unpopped corn kernels as old maids or spinsters. This isn’t a very politically correct term, so if you’re in the company of someone easily offended, you might just want to call them unpopped kernels!

Whatever term you use, don’t think of unpopped kernels in a bad way. In most cases, they’re still salvageable!

You can eat unpopped kernels as they are. But, they’re pretty hard when they haven’t popped, and your dentist might not be a fan of you chomping down on them.

Related: Are Corn Pops Vegan?

It’s pretty easy to overdo it and damage something in your mouth. If you do decide to eat unpopped kernels because you like the “crunch”, do so with caution. You might be better off trying a different variety of popcorn, instead.

If so, you’re in luck.

There is a type of popcorn that takes the extreme crunchiness of the kernels and the fluffy texture of popped popcorn and combines them into a hybrid. This snack is called ‘half-popped popcorn.’ It’s pretty hard to make at home, but if you can find some, you might enjoy it.

How Do You Cook Popcorn Properly?

You should cook raw corn kernels in a pan on your stove’s top for best results. Follow these easy steps to get the most out of your kernels.

Add a small amount of oil or butter to the bottom of the pan, about one teaspoon per ¼ cup of kernels.
Heat the pan over a moderate flame until the oil is warm or the butter has melted a bit.
Swirl the fat to cover the bottom of the pan.
Add your popcorn in a single layer and cover the pan.
Heat until the kernels have all popped.

You can tell when your popcorn is almost ready when the flurry of popping starts to slow down. Be mindful that if you leave it on the heat too long trying to pop every last kernel, it will begin to burn. It’s better to leave a few unpopped than to ruin the whole batch.

You can also make popcorn in the microwave quite easily following the same process. All you need is a covered microwave-safe dish or bowl instead of your pan. You can even buy one specifically designed for popping corn.

Why Don’t All The Kernels Pop?

When the moisture inside of a kernel is heated, the water vapor expands, cracking the hard exterior hull of the kernel. That’s what makes the popping sound that gives this popular snack its name. It’s a delicious and fascinating physics lesson each time a kernel pops into something fluffy and crisp!

Sometimes, the kernels in the pan or the microwave don’t have enough water vapor inside of them to make them pop and expand into the fluffy but crunchy shape we love to munch on. Other times, the hull has already split, so there’s no popping sound, but the kernel still bursts.

Scientists suggest that since each popcorn kernel has a distinct physical profile, they also react distinctly when heated – like little corny snowflakes. That’s probably part of the reason why they don’t all pop at once or even at all the first time around.

How Do You Reheat Leftover Unpopped Kernels?

If you make a big batch of popcorn and end up with a handful of unpopped kernels, you can drop them into a bowl and soak them for a bit to help them regain their moisture content. Likely, they didn’t pop because they’re too dry.

After about an hour in the water, drain the kernels and cook them again. Be careful, as any excess water could cause the hot oil in your pan to splash.