I love popcorn. It’s my absolute favorite snack. At the movies, at the fair (helllloo, kettle corn), for late-night work sessions. Anytime is a good time for popcorn in my book.
The problem is making said popcorn. Store-bought microwave popcorn is filled with all sorts of nasty fake butter nonsense and way higher in sodium than I’d like. We don’t have the counter space for an air popper. And making popcorn on the stove, while simple, just takes too long some nights when all I want is a quick snack.
Enter homemade microwave popcorn. It’s much cheaper than the store-bought stuff and I can control exactly what goes into it. Best of all? It takes about two minuntes to make.
Take a standard brown paper lunch bag and add 1/4 cup popcorn seeds and 1 tsp vegetable oil. Shake the bag up, then seal. You can either fold the end over twice or staple it shut. I go for the staples because I’ve had the bag unfold on me one too many times (and no, it won’t start a fire in your microwave if you space them apart. 100 bags of this stuff and not a single spark in my microwave).
Place folded side up in the microwave. Set the microwave for three minutes, but do not walk away. Did you hear me? Do.Not.Walk.Away. Just don’t.
Listen for the popping to slow. This isn’t the whole “three seconds between pops” rule from the store-bought stuff. I’m talking just slower popping. You continue past that point and it will burn. It may take you a few bags to get the hang of it, but it’s so worth it when you do finally figure it out. This will all very based upon your microwave, but mine typically takes between 90 seconds and two minutes.
Be super careful when removing the popcorn bag. The oil spots will be hot and there will be steam. Pop that bag open, spill into a bowl and enjoy. I add a little salt (and sometimes some butter), but it’s up to you what you add to yours.
What’s your favorite popcorn topping? Leave me a comment and let me know!
