To make air-popped popcorn crispy, hydrate the kernels before popping.
Air-popped popcorn often turns out chewy rather than crispy. This is a common characteristic of using an air popper. However, you can improve the crispiness by adjusting the moisture content of the kernels before popping. Here's how:
- Hydrate the Kernels: Add 1 teaspoon of water per 1 cup of popcorn kernels to an airtight container. Seal the container and shake well to evenly distribute the water. Allow the kernels to sit for a few days, shaking occasionally, to allow the moisture to absorb into the kernels. This pre-hydration helps the kernels pop more fully and crisply in the air popper.
While this technique can enhance crispiness, remember that air-popped popcorn will generally have a different texture compared to oil-popped popcorn.
