Soggy popcorn is a major turnoff for moviegoers and popcorn fans in general. Oiling the popcorn kernels before popping them helps them pop more quickly and creates a coating that seals in the popcorn’s natural crunch and flavor. In addition, the ratio of one tablespoon of oil to 1/4 cup of kernels creates a thin oil binder that helps the flavoring stick without leaving the popcorn soggy.
Additionally, the trick to perfectly crispy butter popcorn is using ghee. This is melted (or clarified) butter, made by gently simmering butter until all of the water in it has evaporated. Ghee is excellent for seasoning your popcorn without making it soggy since it retains its wonderful nutty, buttery flavor while having a very low moisture level.
