Yes, homemade microwave popcorn, and it really works! I was skeptical. I didn’t believe it could be that easy, but IT IS! Lisa, from Snack Girl, has shared her how-to for Homemade Microwave Popcorn.
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Put 1/4 cup popcorn in a brown paper bag. Fold top over a few times and tape it.
- Place in microwave folded side upfor 2 to 3 minutes or until there is 5 seconds between pops.
- Eat plain or add flavors (such as salt, butter, sugar, etc.)
With this system of microwave popping, you can:
- control the amount of salt and butter
- reuse the paper bag again and again
- save money from buying the corn kernels, which yields a lot more popcorn
- pop popcorn fast, without getting out the heavy machinery
I just can’t get enough of this popcorn, we make it all the time! It’s been a great after-school snack. Thanks, Lisa!
Written by Marie LeBaron
Marie LeBaron is the founder and managing editor of Make and Takes. Always having a love of crafts, she enjoys getting messy with glue and glitter. There’s always some sort of project going on, her kitchen counter is often cluttered with crafts. When she’s not crafting and creating with her kids, she loves to run, read, and blog! Read other posts by Marie
{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! Who knew it was so easy?? Thanks for the awesome tip!
This is BRILLIANT! I know it’s 6:58am, but I’m going to try this…now!
I can’t wait to try that. I’ve always wondered if there was a way…
Okay, that is seriously cool. Who would have thought?
I have a recipe for microwave caramel corn…my Mom used to make it for us as kids. Delicious and easy clean up! I’ll have to try making buttered popcorn this way…my kids go through it like crazy!
Hi. What’s your recipe for microwaved caramel corn? If you don’t mind sharing.
PLEASE SHARE
I love this trick! Plus, seeds are so much cheaper. You don’t even have to tape the bag.
We’ve been doing this for almost a year and like you said, it’s so nice. I send as a last minute snack with my husband to work all the time. Just keep a close eye on it so you don’t burn it. We have done that once or twice.
I don’t comment much, but always read. Thanks for the great blog!
I’ve always added oil to my kernels before popping, but this would save me the calories and make the bag reusable. I am so doing this for my son’s snack today. Thanks!
I’ve been doing this for over a year now and we love it. We don’t use tape though. Just make sure the crease on the folds are really tight and you should be good!
SO COOL! Do you use a grocery size paper bag or a lunch sack paper bag??
This is so cool and I can’t wait to try it!!
That is so cool!! I had no idea, I am going to try that!!!
I was just wondering, seriously the other day if you could do this. You must have read my thoughts…Great post and answer to my questions.
Yeah, i third the motion. You don’t need the tape as long as you fold it good and don’t put too many seeds in it.
That’s fabulous because we don’t own a popcorn maker. I love this!
Wow. Who knew that it was that easy! I will have to try this at home. Unless its full of fattening, buttery goodness, I rarely like the kind from the store.
Wow! What an awesome idea…sometimes I think we let modern conveniences make us forget about doing it the plain ol’ simple ways! I had a roommate once who didn’t even know you could make brownies without a brownie mix. ha ha. Anyhow, this looks fun…my family and I will have to give it a try. YAY!
I use both microwave bags and the old fashion on the stove top method (when I have more time), but this method is pure genius! Thank you for sharing!
Great Site…I’ll be a reg. reader:)
You can also staple the bag with top staples instead of using tape. Yes, I know you are freaking out metal in the microwave, but I have done it many times with no firework shows yet.
Who knew?! I am now a little embarrassed about how much microwave popcorn I have purchased in my lifetime!
This is great. I can’t wait to try this method.
Thank you!
Ashley, with CWDkids
http://www.kidbits.cwdkids.com
I am so going to try this!
My mom found something similar to this at a Farmer’s Market – only it was on the cob still – but same idea, cooking it in a paper bag in the microwave – and it was the best popcorn I’ve eaten! We’ll have to try it this way as well. :)
Love this idea gotta try it
Very cool, but I still prefer popcorn made on the stove!! http://urbanpioneerwoman.blogspot.com/2009/09/money-saving-monday-homemade-popcorn.html
Thank you for this. I love popcorn but hate that stuff that microwave popcorn leaves on the roof of your mouth and tongue, I mean, what is that stuff? So, I normally make it on the stove but if I can save myself a few more calories by not using oil, grrreat!
Just tried this- worked like a charm! Thanks for the idea!
sounds so simple! Brilliant!
Brilliant! I love popcorn!
STAPLES OKAY TOO …. you can also use 2 staples to hold it shut. I saw this idea on GOOD EATS (on food network), and that is what he used. I’ve used it for years with no trouble. Thanks for posting such a great explanation!
Plus, he used a tsp of olive oil & 1/2 tsp of popcorn salt
Well isn’t THAT cool! Talk about a GREAT way to save money. You could add popcorn flavor sprinkles to it too!!!
This method works fine. But I found when the paper bag was reused more than once or twice, it tended to catch fire, so I stuck to one use only. (After melting the inside of the microwave door.)
doesn’t the tape melt?? I will give it a try soon.
Was that a grocery sized bag or brown lunch bag?
Thanks for posting this; apparently I was one of the few people in America who didn’t know you could make popcorn in a brown bag in the microwave without any oil. So much more healthy, and no bulky air popper to store. I’ve made brown bag popcorn almost once a week since I saw this post last month.
I was stumbling and you came up!! Of course I had to give it a thumbs up!!!!
Tiff and Jessica … lunch bag. (similar to size of the store bought microwave popcorn bags)
Okay, now I KNOW I’m old! I remember when Daddy bought our first microwave oven, and that was the ONLY way you could make popcorn in the microwave! Thanks for the reminder!
This is amazing! I am so grateful for this recipe; we have used it a dozen times at least in the last few months. Thank you!
We love popcorn! Can’t wait to try it and so simple! This would be fun for the kids and they can try different toppings- sugar and cinnamon, etc.
Jen
Creative and Curious Kids!
what is the corn thats used? is it dried, or could you use sweetcorn from a tin?? i so want to try this though!!
are you serious?! What kind?! Sweet corn? This is worse than that girl who didn’t know you could make brownies w/o a mix. dried popcorn kernels.
Not to mention that the stuff in the butter flavoring in microwave popcorn is a known carcinogen. Yet they still put that stuff in there. Stop buying microwave popcorn and feeding it to your kids. It’s chock full o’ poison.
Thanks for this, I’ve been popping it on the stove since I learned what’s in the microwave stuff. I’m gonna try this tonite!
We used to do this all the time when I was a kid when microwave popcorn first came about, don’t know why we stopped. I know microwaves have the instructions to only use “microwave popcorn” only, but probably for the popcorn button, and is a just disclaimer.
I will have to start it again. I don’t like what they put on the microwave popcorn, smells good but way to salty.
Amy – We’ve just used regular popping corn from a store bought bag or jar. I’ve not tried any other corn, but if you do and it works, let me know.
To the people who didn’t know to use a lunch sack or grocery sack–just how big ARE your microwaves? :P Also, I find that the bottom of my bags always get holes from the trapped steam and pressure, so I can’t reuse them. Could just be that the ones I have are super cheap, though.
oh that’s fabulous!
This does work, we did it all the time as kids.
Why a bag? I always use a bowl and cover it up with a plate. Works fine and it’s not that hard to wash…
This is an AMAZING idea, especially considering the growing evidence of how DANGEROUS and CANCER CAUSING store-bought microwave popcorn can be (due to the plastic in the inside lining). Thank you!
I’ve tried it the Food Network way with the oil and salt added to the kernels in the bag and the oil just soaks into the bag leaving no flavor on the popcorn. Pop it dry and add it afterward.
FYI- DON’T use a grocery sized bag. I just tried it and it caught fire in my microwave and melted the roof! Thankfully I was right there and put it out quick!
Going to try it with a bowl next time…
I’m known as a popcorn connoisseur among my circle of friends & family, and the best way to cook popcorn is on the stove. Get a pan, pour some oil in the bottom so the kernels don’t stick, then pop! I’ve had a lot of microwave popcorn, but stove-top popcorn (and not that Jiffy crap either) is by far the best popcorn I’ve ever had!
crunch crunch
this is the best trick for kids! we’ll have a popcorn bar where we add toppings.
This is simply smashing. Can’t wait to have the children make their own bag. We’ll have a topping bar. Any more such snacks?
I’ve always done the same as Evil1 – I use a pyrex dish and then i can see it whilst it’s in the microwave, making it easier to judge when it’s done.
this is cool
This was so easy and delish!! We know exactly what is in it, and when you melt the butter in a small bowl and pour it over the popcorn it taste soo good. Thanks so much.
This is great idea and saves you money too!!!I tried another recipe with vegie oil but it’s way to much for the amount of popcorn. 1 tablespoon is more than a enogh for 2 pounds of popcorn or even 4 pounds but in all great idea! Im going to try it with no oil one of these times.I also like the fact that I control what goes in it not the company’s!!!!!
You know, a popcorn maker is about 20 dollars. It requires no cleaning and it’s certainly NOT “heavy machinery”. I’d much rather avoid microwaving foods that I definitely do not have to. Augh.
I just love popcorn. Well this is much like the ready popcorn bags you can buy around, but I like the DIY approach here. Good idea!
I linked to your popcorn, also your pumpkin cookies and to your site in general over at http://www.theDIYsite.com
Cheri
Since I’m trying to cut the fat in my diet, I will be trying this.
This is great! I want to try this now!
I make popcorn “from scratch” in the microwave almost every night. But I skip the paper bag and just use a small glass casserole dish with a lid. Works brilliantly. My hubby’s fave is when I drizzle the fresh pop with melted butter combined with brown sugar and a dusting of freshly ground salt. Hungry now!
Can’t you just use your.. oh wait, my parents are the only people in the universe who have a popcorn machine.
Anyway: my favorite topping is the white cheddar stuff (made for popcorn, comes in a little shaker, they even have it at the movie theater..) with juuuust a little garlic powder. With lots of butter of course.
Along with the benefits you suggested- is the SUPER benefit of not getting all the chemicals you get with regular microwave popcorn- it is pretty scary stuff!!
I love this healthy, easy and economical way of popping popcorn!
I remember when my family got our very first microwave back in the early 80s. It was a major family event, and my brothers and I were so excited to start “nuking” things. We felt like we were living on the edge when we made popcorn using the paper bag method. We always braced ourselves, thinking that we might be running the risk of blowing up the whole contraption. Now, as a parent, I’m really excited to share this technique with my kids (and not having to worry that we’re going to blow a hole in the kitchen).
Best,
Jenn
I’ve been doing it like this for years. . .you don’t even have to tape it. . .:)
You cannot imagine how super it is to learn about this. I have recently been put on a very restricted diet and can’t have any types of acid in my food. The store-bought microwave popcorn has acid in it — probably because of the butters. Now, I can have a snack and not worry about what I’m eating. Thanks so much!
I SERIOUSLY LOVE THIS. popcorn is like mine and my friends’ addiction
My roommate and I just tried this in our dorm! Regular store bought popcorn is so expensive for a college student’s budget and I was craving the homemade stove top popcorn my family makes at home. We usually used seasoned salt or old bay with it…so delicious!
We were bracing ourselves to set the dorm on fire, or at least set off the fire alarm (which sets off the fire alarms for the 4 buildings around us and is a $50 fine) but it worked beautifully! I can’t wait to experiment with adding butter afterwards or my roommate’s homemade onion and garlic salt!
I have been buying popcorn like this from various supermarkets in England for years. Costs 99p for 3 bags from Lidl, nothing new.
Nice trick–I’m glad you shared! And for less than $3, you can buy a pound of popcorn kernels and 50 lunch sacks–snacks for at least a month, cheap and DIY!
o my god! I am home sick from an allergic reaction last night… long story… anyway i just made myself some popcorn, i just put it in the microwave without taping it and i added some salt and butter! It is sooo good!!! I also had some pink lemonade with it… MY LIFE IS COMPLETE!
Thank you for sharing this…I just tried it and it worked great! Plus, the popcorn is much better tasting and healthier without all the unnecessary fat and sodium that the pre-packaged stuff has.
I just tried this recipe, and nearly caught my house on fire…..the bag literally caught on fire! I’m not sure what went wrong…..
Ahhh! So sorry. I’m not sure what went wrong. I’m wondering if it was something about the type of paper bag you used or how long it was in there. Did the popcorn pop at all? Did the fire start right away?
Again, so sorry for the fire. Crazy. Hope you were okay!!
Add a 1/8-1/4 cup brown sugar depending on your taste and get Carmel Corn