Never overspend on Microwave Popcorn from the store again! Learn how to make popcorn in the microwave from scratch with these two easy methods. No popcorn popper needed!
Use this delicious popcorn recipe to make Chocolate Covered Caramel Corn. Or try a batch of Payday Caramel Corn for the holidays!
Why Make Microwave Popcorn
A bowl of freshly popped popcorn is a must have for movie night at my house. The store bought microwave popcorn bags never do it for me with all of that fake tasting “butter” topping.
Homemade popcorn is not only better for you, with lots of whole grains and no preservatives, it’s way less expensive too! For the price of one store bought bag of microwave popcorn, we can have 5 bowls of the homemade stuff.
I have made–and loved–stove top popcorn before, but when I’m trying to make a quick snack, I far prefer this microwave popcorn method.
This popcorn recipe is oil free and has only one ingredient: popcorn kernels!
Once your kernels are popped, you can dress them up however you like with melted butter, sea salt, cheese and any other of your favorite popcorn toppings.
Use this guide for how to make popcorn in the microwave to make perfect popcorn every time. The popcorn is fluffy and slightly crispy, with no burnt pieces and without requiring anymore effort than the store bought bags.
I use this base recipe before making Homemade Caramel Corn! It comes out perfect. Also great for Cracker Jacks– I make my own version.
Two Methods for Microwave Popcorn
You can make popcorn in the microwave two ways:
- With a paper bag
- In a glass bowl
Which is better? I have used both methods several times and like them both just the same.
- The glass bowl method is nice when I’ve run out of bags, and it also takes out one step between popping and serving. Some people are also nervous about cooking paper bagsin the microwave.
- The paper bag method is amazing when I want to make popcorn we can take on the go. Or (real talk) if I’ve forgotten to wash the dishes and we have no more clean bowls. I’m only human.
How to make popcorn in a bag
Grab an ordinary paper lunch sack and measure in 1/3 of a cup of popcorn kernels.
WARNING: Do not use paper bags that are made from recycled materials in the microwave!
Fold down the top of the bag twice to keep the kernels in while they pop.
Microwave for 90 seconds on high power. Listen to the popcorn as it pops and take it out if you start to notice more than one or two seconds between pops.
Remove the bag from the microwave and add any toppings you like. You can season the popcorn right in the bag or pour it into a serving bowl first.
Be careful when opening the bag as the steam escaping will be hot!
How to make microwave popcorn using a bowl
Add 1/2 cup of kernels to a glass microwave safe bowl.
Fit a microwave safe dinner plate over the top of the bowl, making sure it covers any gaps as well as possible.
Microwave for 5 minutes at full power or until you hear 1 – 2 seconds between pops.
Carefully remove the bowl and the plate (it will be hot!). Add desired toppings and serve!
Tips and Tricks
- Keep a close ear on the popcorn as it pops. It’s better to have a few unpopped kernels than a whole bowl of burnt popcorn!
- Monitor the paper bag closely. It can catch on fire if you leave it in too long.
- Adjusting serving size: This recipe yields 3 cups of popped corn. You can double this recipe using the bowl method, as long as your bowl is large enough–you may need to leave it in for a few more seconds.
- Some stores also sell popcorn in the bulk bins which means you’ll save even more on your snacking!
- Use this recipe to make our soft and chewy popcorn balls!
Recipe FAQs
Use plain popping corn for this recipe. Look for either white popping corn or yellow kernel popping corn. You’ll find it at the grocery store next to the microwave popcorn bags.
This microwave popcorn recipe is made with only one ingredient. Popcorn Kernels!
Do not use paper bags in the microwave that have been made from recycled materials. These can be flammable. If unsure, use the glass bowl method described above.
Microwave Popcorn Toppings
Your popcorn is your canvas! Here are a few delicious popcorn topping ideas for how to dress up your popcorn.
- Melted butter and sea salt
- Olive oil or melted coconut oil with salt
- Parmesan cheese
- Taco Seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Toss with chocolate chips and sea salt for a sweet and salty treat
More Easy Snack Recipes
Microwave Popcorn
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
Instructions
- Place ⅓ cup popcorn kernels in a paper lunch sack. Fold the top down making 2 folds.
- Set the bag upright in the microwave. If the bag tips over while the popcorn is popping, it’s ok. It will not affect the popcorn.
- Microwave for 1 and-a-half minutes or until there is 1-2 seconds between popping kernels. It is better to have a few unpopped kernels than a whole bag of burned popcorn.
- Always monitor the popping process. Leaving the bag unattended and microwaving for too long may result in fire.
- After the popcorn is done popping, remove the bag and add desired toppings.
Notes
- You can also make this using a glass microwave safe bowl. Place ½ cup popcorn kernels in bowl. Cover bowl with microwave safe plate. Microwave for 2-5 minutes, or until there is 1-2 seconds between popping kernels. (*mine took exactly 5 minutes). Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. It will be hot. Serve with desired toppings.
Nutrition
Skip the store bought preservative laden microwave popcorn and make your own healthier version for just pennies! Movie night just got a lot tastier.
Wow. Love it. Will definitely going to try it.
Check first to make sure the bags do not have any recycled content. This type of paper bag may have chemicals from recycled papers.
Yep I included that in my blog post 🙂 WHich is why I also gave instructions for the glass bowl 🙂
The crab puffs was great. Will be making again for the next holiday gathering.