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 (like diacetyl – an artificial butter flavoring!). 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 after giving this popcorn recipe a try.
The Popcorn Trick
You'll need a brown paper bag + kernels, and that's it!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels, preferably organic
- butter, optional
- salt, optional
Instructions
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Pour the kernels into the brown paper bag.
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Tightly fold over the top three or four times. No tape or staples are necessary.
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Put it in the microwave and start it on high heat for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
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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.
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Pour popcorn into a bowl and drizzle with melted butter or spritz with olive oil (or coconut oil) and then sprinkle with salt. If you don’t use oil or butter the salt won’t stick.
Other topping ideas: cinnamon, cayenne pepper, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Recipe Notes
IMPORTANT - Microwave ovens vary so you must be attentive and stop immediately when the popping slows down. Overcooking can cause a fire. Some readers have suggested using a Pyrex bowl with a plate on top as an alternative to using a bag to avoid this risk.
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Hi there. Lisa uses 1/4 cup of kernels at a time. You can store popped popcorn in an airtight container. ~Amy
I’ve made this twice already and love it! I’ve tried popping popcorn on the stove and it works well enough. I just don’t like my kernels sitting in butter/oil. This version helps me control the amount of butter/oil to use. If it’s just me eating, I will use 1/8 cup of kernels because 1/4 cup is a lot for me :)
It’s funny – I’ve seen this now twice in one day..I’ve been doing this since my mom taught me after buying her forts microwave – haha! My kids have only known this…My boyfriend bought me a mack daddy popcorn popper I don’t use, because it requires oil and I still have most of my 100 bag pack of recyclable paper bags to boot! :)
Lisa, I love your blog! I am just beginning to transition to all natural eating. I have been reading about canola oil and the need to stay away from it. Can you talk about this some, or point me in the right direction? How is canola oil different from vegetable, olive, peanut oil, etc. Is is all the same, all bad, whats the deal?
Hi there, Cora. This will help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/14/mini-pledge-week-10-no-refined-oils/. :) ~Amy
So i am wondering, i gave up the microwave a while back. i have an air pop popcorn maker but it tends to overheat quickly. do you know of any way i could do this in the oven. or otherwise without oils?
Hi Melissa. I make popcorn on the stove top all the time but have never tried doing so without oil and I have never heard of oven popped popcorn. :) Sorry I can’t be of more help. ~Amy
We have an ancient air popper for our popcorn, which includes an optional spot to put butter on top, which drips over the popcorn as it flies out the chute and into the bowl. This really cuts down on the amount of butter each piece gets (a teaspoon of butter coats a whole lot of popcorn). It could also be used with another solid fat like chilled coconut oil, I suspect! We love our air popper and would never pop corn any other way, but if you don’t have one or don’t have the space for yet another kitchen gadget, this brown bag trick looks like the next best thing!
How do you place the bag in the microwave? On it’s side or sitting up?
Hi Esra. I’ve always done it with the bag standing up. ~Amy
My accupunturist told me that using the microwave changes the structure of food and that it’s not healthy for me, although I love the idea of no oil, I cook mine in a pan on the stove and use coconut oil.
It worked! I just made this and I am thrilled! Not only is it healthier it’s the fraction of the cost! Thanks!
I have a microwave popcorn popper instead of using paper bags. This is re-usable; my family uses this weekly.
http://tinyurl.com/ld42kfn
This sounds great! My kids love popcorn!
We make our own popcorn on the stove top for health and economical reasons. You can use coconut oil as a healthy alternative as well, fyi! It’s great!
I use a glass bowl with a microwave safe plate over the top. You aren’t even left with the paper bag to throw away. The way my youngest goes through popcorn, I can relax and let him enjoy himself.
I’ve tried this a few times in the past, never seems to work for me! Maybe my microwave is the wrong wattage, or something
We even reuse the bags and the piece of tape.
And if by “trick” you mean, set the kitchen on fire, that is what happened at my house at minute 2.
Rita, same thing happened to me also…. maybe I will try the glass bowl with the lid next time so I can keep an eye on it while cooking!
Glad I’m not the only one! HA!
Too much time!! 2 minutes max-my house smells like it was on fire!
I have read that you shouldn’t cook in paper bags because no one knows what chemicals are released, especially if they are made from recycled materials. http://www.freep.com/article/20121025/COL37/310250077/Susan-M-Selasky-Don-t-pop-corn-in-a-brown-paper-bag
Would love to see a response to Laura’s question above about the chemicals in paper bags. I just read something similar and now it’s got me paranoid to try this popcorn paper bag thing.
Thanks.
Hi Sara. If you are concerned about its safety, many readers have used a microwave safe bowl with a secure fitting plate on top for their microwave popping. I can’t find anything definitive outside of not using paper bags with ink printed on them. ~Amy
You can use a glass bowl with a plate on top if you are wary of the paper bag. Make sure the plate is bigger than the bowl opening.
Using the glass bowl method did not work for me. My kernels never popped
What method do you recommend to keep the popcorn fresh and not chewy if you prepare a day early?
Hi Britt. I let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container. :)
I guess sometimes the obvious is easy enough!
Thanks!!! :)
Pure genius!!!
My tip to really increase the “healthy” factor of this snack: after adding the melted butter, skip the salt and sprinkle it with Nutritional Yeast! TONS of B-vitamins and a slightly ‘cheesy’ taste.
I’m a 56 year old Grams to 7 Grandkids and find it refreshing that a new generation is embarking on the Real Food journey. My husband and I raised 2 kids on Real Food, either we grew it or got it through the Co-Op. Our parents (he came from a family of 8 kids and my parents put 3 kids through Catholic School on just my Dad’s income at a factory – I milked our cow before school each morning), plus Helen and Scott Nearing were our inspirations, the GRAS poster lived on our ‘fridge. I was making “Greek-style” yogurt to substitute for cream cheese and sour cream before I knew it had a name. We had a hand-crank grinder mounted on the wall for grinding down whole grains into delicious combos for hot cereal in the morning and a host of other things. My kids LOVED freaking out their friends at school with the stuff in their lunch boxes … miso soup, fried tempeh (they would tell their friends it was moldy soybeans). These same, now married kids, continue the Real Food way of eating and teaching it to the next generation (Seven Grandkids!) Thanks to the Food Network, we have 14 and 7 year old Grandsons, from different families, who desire to be a Chef, mostly because they want people to eat Real Food. All 7 of them know how to cook basic foods, make yogurt and like the taste of strange things like miso, feta, seaweed, tempeh, etc. and have rarely eaten cereal that comes out of a box from the grocery store. For those of you who are thinking that we are a bunch of “hippies” …. I suspect you think we are crazy-liberal, believe in only non-competitive sports and think Socialism is a good thing. You would be completely wrong. Most of us lean toward the Republican side, with a couple of Libertarians thrown in.
How do you keep the popcorn from burning? Mine is done at just shy of 2 minutes, but I’m not sure if the power is set too high or if I need to go with a smaller amount.
Hi Brian. Every microwave is a little different. Yours just might need less time. All of my kernels never pop. There are always some that don’t. ~Amy
It’s so easy on the stove though :)
Need: Stainless steel pot, metal colander, 2nd small sauce pan, wooden spoon, Popcorn (I like Azure’s organic multicolored) coconut oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan well) Butter & Organic garlic sea salt (ok flavor as you wish lol)
Start butter melting on low-medium (tastes better than when melted in the microwave)
Add coconut oil and a cup of popcorn kernals, set heat to just above medium and stir with wooden spoon until oil is melted
Keep pan moving and cover with colander when the kernals start to pop.
Keep pan moving… remove from heat when popping slows.
Add to a big bowl, Poor on butter & shake, sprinkle on salt. Enjoy!
tricks: store kernels with no moisture, don’t allow condensation when popping (that’s why I use the colander instead of the pot lid)
I just used this recipe last night when my husband asked me to make some. I much prefer this and it has just one thing to clean up.
I do this all the time! but like you I was pretty scared at first!
I tried this but it did not pop well. I prefer the pan and coconut oil method as it pops all the kernels.
I read that you should not microwave brown paper bags. Are you concerned at all about what leeches out onto the popcorn?
I just saw similar question. The article I read indicated ” the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service
(www.fsis.usda.gov) says never use brown paper bags in the microwave.
Kathy Bernard, technical information specialist for the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline, says it’s because they “don’t know what (the bags) are made of, what can cook out of them and many are made from recycling.”
I knew a guy who used to work at P&G as a scientist. He said that you should never, ever eat anything that was microwaved on a paper plate, paper napkin, bag or paper towel. Highly toxic. Something about the chemicals/glue that hold the paper pulp together. I just use a hot air popper or do it on the stove.
I use an air popper with popcorn kernels bought in bulk…
Me too. :) works so well and no wasted paper bags. :)
Our family stopped using a microwave two years ago and do not miss it. It takes seconds to cook organic popcorn on the stove. The microwave radiates and removes all nutrients from food. I love your site but this one I will have to pass on sorry.
Actually, that’s a myth. Microwaving doesn’t remove any more nutrients than any other cooking method.
I have made popcorn like this since I was a kid. My parents couldn’t afford microwave popcorn so we improvised and its wayyyyyy better than the microwave kind. My kids make it this way too!
I’m sure somebody already mentioned this, but we use a glass bowl covered with a plate. My nine year old is a big popcorn eater. He has known how to make his own using this method for a while.
I haven’t bought microwave popcorn in almost a year but am still trying to figure out the best homemade method.
I’ve tried the brown paper bag w/o success. The popcorn burns even before all the kernels pop and popping sounds slow. Not sure if our microwave is too strong (higher watts).I’ve also tried on stovetop but the popcorn gets tough (probably from the condensation)….will definitely try the colander method.
Love 100 Days of Real Food! Thanks for the all the encouragement and allowing a “lean in” approach.
In order for the paper bag popcorn to pop, the kernels must be fresh! If you use old popcorn kernels, most don’t pop and the others usually burn. It’s the moisture inside the kernel that causes it to burst open when it’s heated, making popcorn. We eat popcorn all the time, using this method. My favorite thing to dress it with is a good lime olive oil and sea salt. The taste reminds me of fruit loops. Delicious!!
If your not a microwave user-pop the popcorn in coconut oil (stovetop). Sprinkle with sea salt-clean, delicious, whole grain snack! Kids love it!
I wonder if putting some sugar in the bag woukd make it taste like kettle corn. It is my favorite kind of popcorn.
I wouldn’t buy microwave popcorn due to all the chemicals in them anyhow. Using a hot air popper is just as easy and no chemicals or oils are used
I can’t wait to make this..
Perfect! I love popcorn, but I always had the microwave kind. That’s what I had growing up. Living on my own, I thought that the bags that you microwave were a better choice because a big air popper would take up too much space in my apartment. I just tried this idea tonight, and it is fantastic. Thank you!
I used a glass container for microwaving popcorn in, until we dropped and broke it. I liked it better than the hot air popcorn – it wasn’t as “dry” and the texture seemed better. Here is one like it on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Catamount-Glassware-CG4526-Microwave-2-5-Quart/dp/B002N333TC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420125174&sr=8-3&keywords=microwave+popcorn+popper
I really like this idea but also wondering: isn’t it unsafe to put paper bags in the microwave? (unsanitary, may catch fire, release toxic fumes from the glue)… Aren’t there specific bags you can purchase for the microwave and do you think this trick would still work with them?
Hi Becca. Lisa uses regular paper lunch bags and has not had any issues. If you find bags that are specifically designed for microwave usage, let us know.
My new microwave states in the instruction manual not to use paper bags in it. I’m not sure why, but I thought I would mention it.
I just tried to jury rig a custom paper bag from a shopping bag. It literally lit itself on fire. If you use any thick heavily folded paper, make sure to watch it.
I would not recommend to deviate from what’s prescribed here with a different type of bag.
I add 1 tsp oil and 1/8 tsp salt BEFORE popping the kernels and it turns out just right.
I use the exact popper shown in Tangela’s post. It’s made of lab glass and works perfectly. And since you can see the popcorn pipping, you have much less waste from unpopped kernels. Highly recommend it. I got mine at our local Sur LA Table.
I was surprised at how GOOD this popcorn tastes! I can never eat popcorn out of a box again. And now, when my husband and I go to the movies, I actually ask for popcorn without butter and bring my own! (Although I do wonder if movie theaters add extra flavoring to their popcorn besides butter…?) I have been using organic popcorn kernels, real butter from grass-fed cows, and a brown paper lunch bag. However, I like Tangela’s suggestion and may invest in a glass “popper.”
They typically pop in butter flavored coconut oil and add flavocal seasoning.
Instead of the paper bag I use the Pamper Chef micro cooker https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Cookware/Microwave+Cookware/Large+Micro-Cooker/2778! Follow Lisa’s recipe and BAM! excellent popcorn and no health concerns!! My family loves it!!
Microwaves destroy nutrients of food and pose a health hazzard just having them plugged in. I’m surprised to hear a real food blogger owning one!
We don’t own a microwave. We love this simple way to make popcorn! http://bakedbree.com/perfect-stovetop-popcorn
I have been looking for something like this for a long while. And I have been wanting my children to eat healthy, as heart disease runs in my family and so does obesity. I want to try to make the right choices but I have no idea how to start. Thanks for the info.
The glue in brown paper bags is TOXIC, not a good thing in a microwave…
Buy an air popper, much more fun to watch and healthier too.
I have had a Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper for years and love it! It was around $10 at Walmart (at least 10 years ago). It’s healthier and environmentally friendlier ;)
Not sure what I did wrong but mine started burning with 1:30 left to go! Won’t do this again!
This method doesn’t work for me, leaves too many unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag. For our family of 6, we need at least 3 bags and each subsequent bag has more unpopped kernels than the last.
I bought the stainless steele stovetop popper and use organic cococnut oil, non-GMO popcorn, grass-fed butter and unrefined sea salt. The stuff gives me a headache, but the $2/8ct box of off brand store bought variety doesn’t bother me.
Would love to know what gives.
My bag caught on fire. :(
We just pop our corn in a pyrex bowl with a microwave safe plate on top, tilted a bit to let the steam out. Works great! Add butter and salt after if you want.
I love this idea, BUT…..my popcorn burned! I used 1/4 cup of popcorn kernals and pulled it out after about 2 minutes. BURNT POPCORN! It popped really fast but definitely couldn’t eat it. Is there another trick?
I have concerns about the food’s nutritional value being diminished by the microwave cooking process. I have done some research and the opinions are mixed.
My favorite example is microwaved water does not sustain a plant… And yes, I have tried this myself – with a control plant. That’s scary to me!
What is your take on this?
Lisa really has taken a strong position on microwave use. :) Here are some articles that offer insight: http://theconversation.com/health-check-is-it-safe-to-microwave-your-food-66776, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/how-safe-is-your-microwave/2014/11/11/eea75518-6452-11e4-bb14-4cfea1e742d5_story.html?utm_term=.76e57bf15b26 and https://www.thepaleomom.com/are-microwaves-safe-to-use/.
Better check your research or actually do the experiment correctly. It’s a total myth.
http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp
I have burned mine so bad it almost caught fire doing it this way. I like the comment that someone uses a pyrex bowl with a plate on top. I just gave my biggest one away because it is heavy and awkward, now I wish I’d have kept it. I have a “whirly pop” that I use, i like it a lot, it’s just kind of hard to clean. Guess an old fashioned pan is my best bet!
I’ve used this method for years with great success. one key is to make sure your popcorn isn’t old. As it sits in our cupboards, it loses the moisture that causes it to POP when exposed to heat. That may be the reason some people are having issues with it burning.
It also depends on your microwave. some are higher powered than others. I’ve been very successful on different machines using the Popcorn button (for the ones that have it. Other wise on a high wattage mic I would do a lower power setting. and you have to listen to it closely. when not using the Popcorn button I will set mine for 4 minutes and then listen CAREFULLY for a lapse of 2 seconds without a Pop then I stop it and get it out. I have very little issue with burning, using this method. But you cannot walk away or be distracted for even a second.
If you don’t like the method and still want healthy without cooking in oil, get an air popper :) They work great! They may take a bit longer, but I’ve never had any issues with them (other than being loud LOL).
Better yet, just pop it on the stove. This is how we do it, and it’s delicious!
Well! I didn’t have any lunch bags so I used a take out food bag and it caught fire. Oops. So now the question is, do I buy paper lunch bags to try this, use Pyrex dish covered with a plate or give it up. Sigh!
Just to follow up on my first attempt at making popcorn in a lunch bag. I have done it several times (since I first tried it with a used bag) and it works great. It is my go to snack as I can control the butter and salt.
We used to do this when I was a kid before microwave popcorn was a thing. I forgot how well this works.
Instead of using oil or butter you can spritz with water to help the salt stick.