Sorghum is an excellent alternative to popcorn. As a gluten free, plant-based source of protein, it carries many of the same nutritional benefits as popcorn. It's packed with fiber and antioxidants and is an eco-friendly snack. When heated, sorghum will act like corn kernels and pop to produce a white fluffy, crunchy snack. A bit smaller than popcorn, sorghum can be seasoned and snacked on in many of the same ways. What's more? Because sorghum doesn't have a hull as corn kernels do, it won't get stuck in your teeth.
A famous ancient grain, buckwheat serves as an excellent popcorn alternative. When puffed, buckwheat has a crunchy and tender texture that tastes great in all your favorite dishes. Add buckwheat to your favorite overnight oats recipes, sprinkle it on your next fruit platter, or use it to add a crunch to a fresh salad.
Ready to begin popping? Follow the steps below to pop grains like sorghum and buckwheat like a pro.
When popping grains like barley and quinoa, it's important to note that they won't pop as high as corn does. While a cover is not needed for most grains, when cooking with sorghum, you'll want to cook with a lid, just like traditional popcorn. Sorghum does pop, and removing the cover from your saucepan throughout the process could result in a messy kitchen.
Tuna salad is a timeless dish that everyone at the table will enjoy. Whether you're testing out a new tuna salad recipe or want to take your current recipe up a notch, we recommend adding a popped grain-like quinoa to it. Quinoa's subtle nutty flavor and tender crunch will boost the texture and taste of the salad without straying too far from the original flavors. So, test popped quinoa out and add it to this Tarragon Tuna Salad. A healthy and filling meal, this salad uses our Whole Grain Medley and French Green Lentils to offer a variety of textures and flavors that pair perfectly together. And, with the crisp crunch of popped quinoa, it's sure to be a hit.
While you may have come to this article searching for the viral mung bean popcorn floating around the internet, it's one recipe that has quickly been debunked. That said, there are several other grains and legumes that can be popped and puffed and used to create delicious meals. Choose from one of the recipes above, or get creative in the kitchen and begin adding puffed grains to your favorite recipes. We're confident that whatever you cook up will taste amazing. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, have a healthy and happy day!
