Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn

I really couldn’t wait to share this one. If you’ve made your own microwave popcorn before, you know why; it’s almost too simple and too good to be true.
My family used to make our own popcorn in an air-popper machine that cost $20 at some department store. While it was nice, it was always a burden to take it out from the cupboards and put it back in. This method eliminates all that fuss. I wish I could remember and credit where I first saw the idea a few months ago; it might have came from the Healthy Eats blog. Anyway, I vaguely remembered what you needed and went from there.

Essentially all you’ll need to buy are popcorn kernels and brown paper bags. I got organic kernels from the bulk bin section of my grocery store for $1.59/lb and the bags from CVS also for pretty cheap. That means for less than $5, maybe enough for 2 boxes of store-brand microwave popcorn bags, I got enough for ~20 servings to make myself. And it’s really not any much more trouble to do.

Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn

You’ll need…

  • Popcorn kernels
  • Brown paper bags
  • A stapler
  • A microwave
  • Oil, salt, butter, or whatever else you want on your popcorn

Measure out the amount of popcorn you’ll need. I’d say about 1/4 cup is a good single snack serving. I wouldn’t put more than 1/3 cup in a bag or there won’t really be enough room.

Pour the kernels in the bag along with a tablespoon of butter or oil(optional) and salt(also optional) to flavor the popcorn. If you’re going to add toppings to your popcorn like parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast or herbs a little oil will help it stick to the popcorn instead of singing to the bottom of the bag.

Staple the bag shut and microwave it for 2-3 minutes until most of the kernels have popped and it only makes sound every second or so—just like you would a store-bought bag of popcorn!

Open the bag up and add any toppings you might want on the popcorn. Close it and shake the bag to move things around before pouring it into a serving bowl.

It’s really that simple! And even better your microwave will smell like popcorn for the next day or so.

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25 Responses to Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn
  1. Anna @ On Anna's Plate
    October 3, 2011 | 9:17 am

    I NEVER knew how easy this was…we had a bag of unpopped popcorn kernels that we left in Pennsylvania, because we never ever used them. Damn!

  2. Kaitlin
    October 3, 2011 | 9:48 am

    Love the dramatic stapler shot. You should submit that to tastespotting.

    • Wannabe Chef
      October 3, 2011 | 9:54 am

      Lol. As if I don’t get enough rejections.

  3. Elizabeth
    October 3, 2011 | 10:14 am

    My mom sent me home with a huge bag of popcorn kernels last time I visited. Unfortunately, the bag has been sitting in my apartment untouched for months now because I thought I’d have to use my stove to make the popcorn. I really had no idea about the microwave method. Definitely going to try it out next movie night!

  4. Kelsey
    October 3, 2011 | 11:11 am

    Isn’t it bad to put metal in the microwave? Or are staples so small it doesn’t matter??

    • Wannabe Chef
      October 3, 2011 | 1:12 pm

      I was worried about that at first, too, but I’ve made it a bunch of times and it’s been fine every time.

      • Vanessa N
        October 3, 2011 | 2:11 pm

        It’s possible that the staple wouldn’t cause a problem, but whenever I do this, I just fold the bag up tightly and it doesn’t spill out. So if you’re nervous, you could always just fold it.

        • Katie
          October 3, 2011 | 5:09 pm

          Staples spark in mine! I just fold and scrunch up the top a bit , works great! My kids love popcorn this way and so does my wallet!

  5. Jared / The Laughing Vegan
    October 3, 2011 | 11:54 am

    Just forwarded this post to my mom, who eats popcorn like it’s going out of style. I had no idea this method existed, it’s so easy. Thanks Evan!

  6. Hannah
    October 3, 2011 | 6:23 pm

    OMG no way!! Does this really work? And it works without oil?! I’ve never, ever made popcorn at home, and have sorely missed the kettle corn single serving packets that I’d buy when at UVA in your country…

  7. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    October 3, 2011 | 6:42 pm

    Ive been making popcorn like this for 3 years. Twice a day.

    I dont even staple the bag. I just fold it over. And i re-use my brown paper bags about 20 times, or until they fall apart.

    And staples (anything metal!!)…BE CAREFUL you can kill your microwave…anything metal and micro is a HUGE NO-NO!!!!!

  8. BroccoliHut
    October 3, 2011 | 8:26 pm

    Haha, oddly enough I just used this trick this afternoon. Today’s batch had rosemary and Parm for toppings 🙂

  9. Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
    October 3, 2011 | 11:31 pm

    Dude… why doesn’t everyone do this?! I wish I could have popcorn. If the day ever comes, I’m totally using this tactic.

  10. Shannon @ Healthiful Balance
    October 4, 2011 | 3:08 am

    This is such a great idea! 🙂

  11. Dalai Lina
    October 4, 2011 | 9:10 am

    That is so cool. I am amazed!

  12. Dagny
    October 4, 2011 | 4:23 pm

    I love homemade popcorn! I can’t stand that fake nasty stuff at movie theaters…I am that lame person who sneaks my own popcorn into the movies: ) This is awesome!

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  15. Lynda
    October 8, 2011 | 11:20 am

    LOL! I stopped doing this YEARS ago because of all the warnings about microwave fires started with the paper bags… Perhaps it was the old technology?

    WHATEVER!!! I’m doing it. Fast, simple, no cleanup, yeah! Thanks!

  16. Gourmandelle
    October 9, 2011 | 8:36 am

    Such a great idea! Thanks!

    Gourmandelle from Gourmandelle Lifestyle Blog

  17. Emily @ Relishments
    October 9, 2011 | 8:59 am

    I cook my popcorn this way about 50% of the time (the other half I use the stove top). Who knew it was so revolutionary? I clearly need to figure out what else I’m already doing and post about it so I can impress all my readers.

    Thanks for the reminder–now I want to eat some popcorn!

  18. jen
    January 24, 2012 | 9:01 pm

    hey evan! 2 questions!

    1) if i want to add nutritional yeast do i add that to the pre-popped kernels or after it comes out of the microwave?

    2) any suggestions for a popcorn recipe with cinnamon?

    thanks!

    • Wannabe Chef
      January 24, 2012 | 9:02 pm

      Anything besides salt and oil should probably be left to be added after it’s done popping but before it’s cooled down much. I think a cinnamon brown sugar combination would be delicious.

      • jen
        January 25, 2012 | 10:07 am

        thank you!

  19. Kristin
    July 12, 2012 | 2:51 am

    You actually don’t even need the bag. I pop mine in a microwave-safe bowl (round with a flat bottom) with a single layer of popcorn, a little oil and popcorn salt. I cover the bowl with a splatter screen (so it gets air but doesn’t pop everywhere)and cook for a little over 2 minutes. Comes out perfect every time, super-cheap and I don’t have to waste any paperbags.
    We like to top ours with lemon-pepper & parmesan, cajun seasoning or paprika, cumin, black pepper & dried cilantro. All are yummy!