Amaranth seeds can be popped like popcorn without the need for oil. They are gluten-free and high in protein, making them a good dietary choice for those with celiac disease. Popped amaranth can be used in various recipes or eaten as a snack.
There are many different ways to prepare amaranth seeds, but you usually need to pop them first. The best way to do this is to place a small amount of seeds in a hot pan, move them around to avoid burns, and then remove them after they’ve popped up. Putting more than one tablespoon (about 7.5 mL) of amaranth in a pan at a time can cause burns. If you need to pop lots of amaranth, either to eat as a snack or to use in a recipe, you can repeat this process several times until you’ve prepared enough. Unlike popcorn, you don’t have to add oil to the pan when you pop amaranth.
Amaranth is a type of seed that is generally treated like a grain for culinary purposes. The seeds contain a higher protein content than common grains such as rice, rye and sorghum and are also gluten free. This makes amaranth seeds a potential dietary choice for anyone who needs to avoid gluten, such as people who have celiac disease. Before amaranth can be eaten, it must be prepared. The most common method of preparing these seeds for human consumption is very similar to popping corn.
To pop amaranth, you’ll need a pan with a lid, a heat source, and a measuring device. You can also use a wok or other similar skillet if you don’t have a good skillet. The wok or pan should be heated to high heat until the surface is hot enough to vaporize a drop of water. At that point you can measure out a tablespoon (about 7.5 milliliters) of amaranth seeds, put them in the pan and immediately cover it. Depending on how hot the pan is and how vigorously you stir the seeds to avoid burns, it typically takes about 15 to 20 seconds for the amaranth to pop.
When you pop amaranth, the internal water is heated and causes the cell structure of the seeds to expand. About 10 tablespoons (75 mL) of raw amaranth seeds will yield a final volume of about 2 cups (470 mL) when you pop the amaranth. You can then eat popped amaranth the same way you would popcorn, with or without seasonings like butter and salt. Popped amaranth can also be mixed with molasses and honey to make a dessert or used as a cereal grain in making bars, cakes, porridge, and other recipes.
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