When I first heard about microwaving popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag I could not imagine that something so simple would 
really work. A blog reader actually shared this suggestion with me, and it took me a while to work up enough courage to try it out. I am so glad I finally did because approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds later I had fresh, fluffy, whole-grain popcorn that hadn’t been touched by a drop of oil, salt, sugar, or any other additives. And after lightly seasoning it myself with a tad of oil and salt it was delicious! I will never waste my money on those store-bought microwave bags ever again.
The Popcorn Trick
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels, preferably organic
- Brown paper lunch bag
- Optional: Melted butter, oil, and/or salt
Instructions
Pour the kernels into the brown paper bag.- Tightly fold over the top three or four times. No tape or staples are necessary.
- Put it in the microwave and start it on high for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Listen for the popping to slow down to 3 or 4 seconds apart at which point you will take it out of the microwave. This usually happens for me around the 3 minute and 15 second mark.
- Pour popcorn into a bowl and drizzle with melted butter or spritz with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt. If you don’t use oil or butter the salt won’t stick.
Where is the best place to get organic popcorn?
Hello Tiffany. Pretty much any large grocery store and certainly any “whole food” type store will have organic popcorn. ~Amy
used to do this all the time, but just got away from eating popcorn. Just used a paper bag bigger than a lunch bag, but not a full sized grocery bag. Put 1/2 cup kernals, on high for 2min 10seconds. Sprayed with EVOO and salt. yummy!!!
[...] was really surprised this worked! I read about popping corn this way on 100 Days of Real Food and just had to try it. This trick puts you in complete control of what is on your microwave [...]
Popcorn is a wonderful healthy snack but I worry about the nutritional impact of food after microwaving. I prefer to do it in a saucepan as a consequence. Have you read http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/health-hazards-to-know-about/microwave-ovens-the-proven-dangers
[...] Popcorn (make it using “The Popcorn Trick”) [...]
[...] 1) Instead of microwave popcorn make your own using the popcorn trick. Pour 1/3 cup of popcorn into a brown paper bag, fold the top over tightly and microwave on high till popping ceases, then add butter, olive oil or coconut oil. Check out the original recipe here.http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/06/17/recipe-the-popcorn-trick/ [...]
[...] to the prepackaged snacks they normally get! If you don’t want to get an air popper- try this [...]
Try using coconut oil and a Pyrex type bowl and a vented lid. Nothing to throw away and the flavor of the coconut oil is incredible! You can tell that movie theatre popcorn uses some sort of processed version of coconut oil when you taste this-has a natural buttery flavor and not heavy like olive oil. I melt the oil-about 1-2tbs to liquid (I use organic), cover bottom of bowl with white kernels stirring to make sure they’re all oiled (love the bob’s red mill), and salt liberally. Cover and microwave! I have boys so we make a large batch so takes about 4.5/5 mins. Love that my kids are getting a %100 whole grain organic snack cooked in organic oil that has major health benefits, adds awesome flavor and nothing to throw away! No more store bought for us, ever!!
With the pyrex bowl, do you just use the lid that came with it? I think it would work, as long as it was loose instead of sealed. I love the idea of waste-free popcorn!
[...] so glad I came across this recipe on Lisa’s blog. I like popcorn, but like most things, I’d rather make it myself than worry about what is in the [...]
[...] always keep in our house are raw almonds, raw walnuts, cheese, plain Triscuits, and plain popcorn (The Popcorn Trick recipe). I shop at Publix and they regularly have popcorn kernels, Triscuits, and blocks of cheese on [...]
So excited that this worked. It only took about 2 minutes in my microwave, though, so definitely listen for the pops and not the time in the recipe.
This is a great idea and works every time, with or without oil. Note of caution — After popping in the bag, I poured my snack into a Tupperware bowl to eat. When finished, there were lots of un-popped kernels so I put the bowl in the microwave with a vented plate cover for a minute or two. The kernels popped great, but the heat of the kernels melted little pock marks in the bottom of my Tupperware bowl which is now ruined and not covered by the warranty. So, use the bag or glass bowl as indicated in the comments above and don’t use any plastic, even normally safe and strong Tupperware.
THIS IS SUCH AN AMAZING WAY TO MAKE POPCORN!