Sure it's easy enough to pop popcorn on the stove, but my favorite part of this homemade microwave popcorn "recipe" is that it's so easy even my five-year-old can do it (with a little supervision)!
Let's face it, as tasty as microwave popcorn can be, it's downright expensive and laden with sodium. That fragrant steam that escapes when you open a freshly popped bag? It contains nearly four dozen chemicals, some of which have been proven toxic. Do it yourself using these simple steps for a healthy snack that's high in fiber and low in calories -- then season it any way you want.
I chose to purchase Black Jewell popcorn kernels because they pop with very few hulls and are packed with antioxidants. However, you can use any type of popcorn kernel that you prefer. You'll also need a lunch-size brown paper bag, a small piece of tape, and of course, a microwave.
Simply place about 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels in a lunch-size brown paper bag. Fold it over once and secure with a small piece of tape, and microwave until the popping slows to about once per second, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully open the bag and season to taste!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 lunch-size brown paper bag
- 1 small piece scotch tape
Instructions:
- Pour 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels into a lunch-size brown paper bag. Fold the bag over once and secure with a small piece of scotch tape.
- Place the bag in the microwave with taped side up and microwave for approximately 2-3 minutes until the popping slows to about once per second.
- Remove bag and open carefully. Season to taste.
Incidentally, should you happen to burn a bag while figuring out the timing for your particular unit, here's a simple trick for removing that burned smell from your microwave.
What's your favorite healthy popcorn seasoning?
Tara Kuczykowski is a married mom of three boys and two girls, ages 4 to 10 years, living in Columbus, OH.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
How easy! Popcorn is a favorite snack around here, I will have to try this.
I do this all the time! Oddly though, I have never taped the bag and I will start doing that now (I would just fold it over tightly)
I love using olive oil instead of butter and sprinkling with parmigiano reggiano! Yum!
4 DOZEN chemicals in commercial microwave popcorn???? EWWWW, that turns my stomach. Why do they have to do that when it’s so simple to make at home?
I’ll never purchase that junk again. Homemade is easy, peasy and oh so tasty!
That’s it? How wonderfully simple! Not at all what I imagined.
The hubby and I try to squeeze in movie night when the little ones are in bed but more often than not the sound of our air popper wakes our youngest, and I detest microwave popcorn. We will have to try this quick trip, Im sure it’s amazing and quieter….
I have heard of this method before and forgot all about it. You don’t need a special type of paper bag? I always worried it would catch on fire. Maybe I will give it a try.
Thanks!
No, I just bought the cheapest paper bags that the store had. Since you’re not using any oil, you can actually reuse the bag multiple times too.
Thanks! As much as I love my Whirely Pop, this sounds like a much easier clean up. Guess what’s for a snack tonight? LOL
love this n thanks
Where do you buy that black popcorn from?
I picked it up at my local Meijer.
Tried this and not a fan. Maybe I need to add more seasonings. Really small kernels, too. :( Shoot….I was so excited!
Does your microwave have different settings? If so, it sounds like you may want to try a higher setting. The type of kernel you use will make a difference as well. The Black Jewell kernels that I used produce a much smaller than normal piece of popcorn.
This is very easy and you can control how much salt or butter you use or not.
I think I like my popcorn-on-the-stove too much to try this. But it is a great idea instead of the purchased microwave which I don’t like the taste of. It’s hard to get used to the chemical taste whe you are used to corn, oil and salt alone. Good for you for finding an acceptable alternative.
You are an amazing woman. I love the simplicity of your ideas, and your way of putting your family before your career. I did the same thing and my kids are now wonderful adults – but balancing the budget was quite the challenge to my creativity. You have come up with some fantastic solutions. I will try this popcorn recipe, too!
This is great! I love making my own popcorn on the stove, but hate how long it takes. I had no idea I could microwave it!! We will definitely be doing this from now on!
I will be trying this, thanks a bunch.
I plan on trying this tonight, with a modified version: twixit clips (available at bed bath and beyond) to secure the bag safely, and a little of oil and seasonings—mixing everything beforehand. Tape and staples (from other recipes) scare me. I’ll report back. Fingers crossed there are no fires!!
Brenda –
How did it work with the oil?
I sometimes add a little coconut oil to mine. It should be fine to add a little!
The oil and bag worked perfectly. I tried it both with And without the clip too (just folding it over twice and aiming it down)—-perfect. I will experiment with different spices/amounts/times. I’d like to make as many of the kernels pop as much as possible.
Hi Brenda –
So happy it worked out for you! How much oil & popcorn did you use?
I’ve made this several times, expermenting…I tried it with the oil added to the bag, didn’t like it…..so now I just add 2 TBSP. popcorn kernels to the bag, fold over once and pop approx. 2 mins. depends on your microwave….don’t use the popcorn button, just use highest setting…..and if I want butter on it, I just melt some first in the microwave and set aside , after it pops, I pour in bowl and add the melted butter….and salt and whatever else you want to use….and most of the kernels will pop…..I tried Walmart kernels, not that good, a friend told me about Kroger, so that’s what I use and it pops much better….haven’t tried the black jewel yet, no Meijer stores near me…..so this does work….but I haven’t reused the bag tho yet !!!!! May try that sometimes…..this will make about 2-3 cups of popped corn…..and it is pretty good and way better for you that the stuff you buy in the store and way cheaper too ……..
How do you heat coconut oil? I was told never to put it in the microwave?
Annette, I can’t find any valid information stating that coconut oil shouldn’t be microwaved — other than accounts stating not to microwave just the coconut oil in a container because of the danger of super-heating it, causing dangerous splattering when removing it.
Putting a tablespoon or two of solid or liquid coconut oil in the paper bag with the popcorn kernels should be perfectly safe.
Putting this in Easter Basket!
My kids are everyday popcorn eaters, gotta try this! Maybe I will melt some of my “fresh made butter” over it!
Mmm, sounds delicious!
Seriously thrilled I stumbled across this
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This defintiely deserves an FB like !! just what I was looking for to eat with my movie this evening – thanks :)
Popcorn came out great thank you very much !! great recipe!