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DIY Microwave Popcorn- No Way!!?

September 2, 2009 by jlpenner 6 Comments

Microwave Popcorn Bowl

I have never been thrilled with microwave popcorn- at least the taste that is. It’s not really that expensive- I can usually get it for around $1 a box making it a pretty cheap treat at .33. But it never tastes right to me- it always seems “chemically”. So I recently bought a bag of popcorn kernels and started popping my own. It really is good when popped in olive oil and then topped with real butter and salt. Can’t say it’s low fat- but it’s delicious.

I don’t mind making it on the stove- but it does take a little time and I can get a bit tired of shaking the pot (not to mention the noise of dragging a pot over and over my gas cooktop- needless to say – I don’t do it during nap time).

So I was curious- could I make it myself in the microwave?? So I did some poking around on the internet and indeed I can (and did). And it’s awesome!!

There are a few methods I found, all of which are easy. One of them I made up on my own and it seems to work too.. check it out.. you won’t be sorry.

1. Paper Bag Method
Fill a brown paper lunch sack with 1/4 cup popcorn kernels. Fold the bag a few times (it’s OK if it comes loose a bit- I have not had any problem with the popcorn coming out). Cook in the microwave for 1-3 minutes, depending on your microwave. You will simply have to listen for the slowing of the popping- when it slows take it out so it doesn’t burn (make sure you stay with the popcorn so you don’t risk burning). Pour into a bowl and top with your favorite popcorn toppings (I like butter and salt).

2. Microwave PopCorn Bowl Method–
I don’t have one of these- so I don’t know for sure but my guess would be that it would be similar to the above. But I do recommend following the directions on the bowl. I was thinking about buying one of this bowls with my Swag Bucks on Amazon- but decided to try the last method first- so we will see.

3. Any old microwave safe bowl with a loose fitting top
Directions are the same as popping in the bag- except don’t use any oil, it can melt the bowl.

So I tried this this morning and it seemed to work. I did not have 1/4 cup popcorn kernels (as we have been making too much DIY microwave popcorn). So I used around 1/8 cup and it did pop- just not as well- there were a lot of kernels left after almost 3 minutes of popping and it was just beginning to burn. So I need to try this again with more kernels and see if that was the issue. I like this method because you don’t use a bag and you already have a bowl with the pop corn in it. But if it doesn’t work as well I will definitely go back to the bag or buy the #2 Microwave Popcorn Bowl.

Enjoy your popcorn!! Now you need a movie.

Microwave Popcorn Bowl

This Post Contains Affiliate Links - Disclosure Policy

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Gluten Free Snacks, Heathy Snacks, Kid's Snacks, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Amy says

    April 12, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    Wow! I can't wait to try the paper bag method. Thanks for sharing. Does anyone remember the other easy way to make popcorn before the microwave(and probably the healthiest)? Air Popper Popping machine? I shill have one and use it once in a while. Not butter or oil..just air. Can make this popcorn as healthy or as not-so healthy as you like.
    Reply
  2. lala says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    I use my air popper all the time - I wonder if they even sell them anymore? But my favorite has to be when we were kids and a big treat was for my grandma to get her cast-iron fireplace pot out and make us popcorn in the fireplace - reminds me of cold afternoons in her big livingroom that was for company - so it was a big deal to be allowed to sit in there!
    Reply
  3. Jamie Martin says

    May 14, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    I want an airpopper.. One of the best memories of me being a kid.
    Reply
  4. allison says

    September 21, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    The microwave bowl definitely work, and does not require oil. I bought mine from walmart but lost it during a move. I found your article while I was looking for a place to buy one online! I'd use the paper bag method but knowing me, I'd scorch the popcorn, and there is nothing worse than the smell of burnt popcorn.
    Reply
  5. S.K. says

    January 16, 2013 at 7:36 am

    Yes it is tiring and time consuming to make popcorn on the stove. I make popcorn in the microwave at least once a week. I used to do it in a paper bag but then I bought a Nordic Ware microwave popcorn bowl for $9 on amazon about a month ago. There are also some made from glass but are more expensive. It pops great and is easy to clean up. I don't normally use oil except if I make it for a guest and want it to taste extra special. Buying popcorn by the pound saves money that's for sure.
    Reply
  6. Rosye says

    March 4, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I tryed the paper bag method and it's possible to make popcorn completely without oil. But then the salt doesn't "stick" on the popcorn, no matter how much you pour, and it ends up tasteless... since my motivation to try the microwave was exactly the possibility to make an oil-free popcorn, I found it didn't work... so I went back to the stove! :)
    Reply

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