easy homemade microwave popcorn

Hey there, popcorn lovers! Are you ready to ditch those store-bought bags for something healthier, tastier, and oh-so-fun to make? Let’s talk about homemade microwave popcorn – a snack that’s not only easy to whip up but also easy to adapt and personalize.

Try these fun popcorn recipes to make with kids on your next family movie night!

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Essential Ingredients

Homemade microwave popcorn requires just a few basic ingredients:

• With Oil: 1/2 cup plain popcorn kernels, 1/2 teaspoon oil of your choice, and a brown paper lunch bag.
• Without Oil: 1/4 cup popcorn kernels and, you guessed it, that handy brown paper bag.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Paper Bag Popcorn

1. Mixing It Up: For the oil version, combine oil and kernels. For the oil-free, just add kernels to the bag.
2. Folding and Microwaving: Fold the top of the bag twice and microwave. Approximately 3 1/2 minutes for the oil version and 2 1/2 minutes for oil-free – but listen for those popping pauses!
3. Enjoying the Perfect Pop: Remove from the microwave right when the popping slows to avoid any tragic popcorn casualties (aka burning). Add a bit of salt and melted butter, if that’s your preference.

There are a couple ways to make homemade microwave popcorn in a brown bag. With oil or without. Without is obviously better for you, but with oil tastes a bit better. Try both ways and choose for yourself.

How to Make Homemade Microwave Popcorn:

With Oil:

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 1/2 tsp oil
• brown lunch bag

Stir the oil and the popcorn kernels together and pour into the bag. Fold the top over twice and place into the microwave. It takes about 3 1/2 minutes on high but listen for pauses of 1 or 2 seconds and take it out right when there starts to be a pause.

Without Oil:

• 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
• brown lunch bag

Same as above minus the oil. Just put the kernels in the bag, fold the top over twice and place it into the microwave. Decrease the time to 2 1/2 minutes listening for the 1 or 2 second pauses.

There are a couple ways to pop popcorn in a brown bag. With oil or without. Without is obviously better for you, but with oil tastes a bit better. Try both ways and choose for yourself.

Tips for Paper Bag Homemade Popcorn

• Quality Counts: Opt for high-quality, small, pearl-shaped fresh popcorn kernels.
• Listen Up: The key to perfect popcorn is in the popping sounds. Slow down = it’s ready.
• Shake It Off: Give that bag a good shake post-pop for evenly distributed flavors.

Flavor Variations: Spice It Up

Here’s where the fun begins! Get creative with with your bowl of popcorn:

• Sweet Treats: Drizzle with honey, melted chocolate, or sprinkle some cinnamon sugar.
• Savory Goodness: BBQ sauce, pesto, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (or a nutritional yeast for a dairy-free cheesy flavor) can turn that popcorn into a gourmet snack.
• Mix It Up: Why not go wild with a s’mores mix or some coconut flakes and vanilla?
• Spices: Try a sprinkle of garlic powder, dried thyme, or even chili powder. 

There you have it – the useful skill of diy microwave popcorn. Whether for movie night or as a quick snack, it’s a healthier, customizable, and downright fun alternative to the pre-packaged stuff. So grab that brown bag and let’s get popping!

Made your own batch of homemade microwave popcorn? Share your favorite flavor combos or a picture of your popcorn masterpiece in the comments below or tag us @miznelliebellie .