Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn in a Brown Paper Bag
Why make it yourself?
If you love popcorn and you are looking to reduce you salt or fat intake, if you are a vegan or have other dietary concerns about the healthfulness of packaged microwave popcorn, or if you just want to stop throwing money away on what should be one of the most economical snacks out there, then this recipe is for you. Commercially sold Microwave Popcorn includes partially hydrogenated oils, preservatives (Propyl Gallate, anyone?) and a ton of salt. When you take this process into your own hands you can control your intake of fat and sodium, as well as drastically reducing your price per serving.
Step by Step Instructions to Pop Popcorn in your Microwave
Ready, Set, Pop!
The only two things you need to make microwave popcorn at home are the popcorn kernels and a brown paper lunch bag. Your grocer should have a selection of kernels to choose from, and if you are lucky that selection will include Organic kernels if you choose to go that route. The average price I have found in my area is $1.99 for a 2 lb bag which will net you 26 4-cup (popped) servings. Brown paper lunch bags can be bought for around $2 for a pack of 100. Compare this to Orville Redenbacher's Microwave Popcorn Movie Theater Butter ...15 servings for $3.59 including something on the ingredients list called "TBHQ". Still following?
A measuring cup is also helpful if you want to determine the optimal amount of kernels for your bag, and a tiny bit of oil or butter tossed into the bag can help give it a nice coating for your salt or other seasonings to adhere to once the kernels are popped. Totally up to you. If you want to go to the utmost level of thrift, it is possible to re-use your paper bag as many times as you like...but if you are going to do that, then skip the added oil or butter. The bag WILL get greasy.
Ok, so this is what you do. Add about 1/3 cup of kernels to your bag, oil or butter if you like, and fold the top of the bag over twice. It is not necessary to staple the bag or tape it. The popcorn will not come flying out. Promise.
In the example pictured we used 1 cap-full of olive oil and that was the perfect amount for the batch...IMO.
Turn your microwave on at High power either on the popcorn setting, or set it for about 3 minutes and be prepared to turn off the power once you hear 5 second of silence between pops. Any longer and you will end up with a bag of scorched popcorn.
Open the bag and add salt or whatever other seasoning you choose, shake it up and enjoy!
No Bag? Buy A Microwave Popcorn Popper and Be Even More Earth Friendly
The Nordicware Popcorn Popper is one that actually works in the microwave. The 3-Qt. Popper makes light and fluffy popcorn in about 4 minutes. Just place 1/2-cup of popcorn kernels in the bottom bowl and cover with the lid. No oil needed, makes up to 12 cups of popped corn.
Buy Your Popping Corn Online - Get Organic and Non-GMO Popcorn for less online
No microwave? - Other Ways to Make Fresh, Healthy Popcorn at Home
You don't need a microwave to enjoy all the benefits of freshly popped popcorn. The poppers below allow you to control the salt and oil used to make this delicious treat. So go ahead and indulge in this healthful snack, guilt free!
