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Home » Recipes

The Popcorn Trick for the Best Microwave Popcorn

Popcorn in a red and white striped tub.

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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.

Popcorn from 100 Days of Real Food

The Popcorn Trick

Skip the store-bought bags of popcorn that are filled with artificial butter and sugar and make your own whole-grain popcorn in the microwave using this trick. All you'll need is a brown paper bag and kernels, and that's it!
31 Reviews / 3.9 Average
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 3 minutes mins
Total Time: 8 minutes mins
Course: Snacks & Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Method: Too Easy
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup popcorn kernels (preferably organic)
  • butter (optional)
  • salt (optional)

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 heat 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 (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

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.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
The Popcorn Trick
Amount Per Serving
Calories 38 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 28mg1%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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42.3K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Thom says

    December 30, 2021 at 10:34 am

    We love popcorn out of our air popper with olive oil, parsley, cayenne pepper, and nutritional yeast.

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      December 31, 2021 at 9:23 am

      Yum! - Nicole

      Reply
  2. Alisa says

    August 09, 2018 at 2:17 pm

    Instead of using oil or butter you can spritz with water to help the salt stick.

    Reply
  3. Kim Ketchum says

    June 22, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    5 stars
    We used to do this when I was a kid before microwave popcorn was a thing. I forgot how well this works.

    Reply
  4. Pat says

    May 05, 2018 at 8:56 am

    1 star
    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!

    Reply
    • Pat says

      June 19, 2018 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
  5. Amber says

    November 24, 2017 at 12:23 am

    Better yet, just pop it on the stove. This is how we do it, and it's delicious!

    Reply
  6. alaskamum says

    November 05, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    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).

    Reply
  7. Gail says

    May 02, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. kathy hoverson says

    April 23, 2017 at 11:03 am

    1 star
    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?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      May 01, 2017 at 11:33 am

      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/.

      Reply
    • Hugh Jarse says

      June 01, 2017 at 7:11 am

      Better check your research or actually do the experiment correctly. It's a total myth.
      http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp

      Reply
  9. Michele Duncan says

    April 20, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    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?

    Reply
  10. Nancy says

    April 19, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
  11. Meg says

    September 21, 2016 at 9:35 am

    My bag caught on fire. :(

    Reply
  12. cici says

    May 10, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    1 star
    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.

    Reply
  13. Julie says

    April 30, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    1 star
    Not sure what I did wrong but mine started burning with 1:30 left to go! Won't do this again!

    Reply
  14. Becky Hammond says

    March 17, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    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 ;)

    Reply
  15. ido says

    March 08, 2016 at 9:37 am

    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.

    Reply
  16. Heather Hunter says

    February 20, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    4 stars
    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.

    Reply
  17. Martha says

    January 23, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    We don't own a microwave. We love this simple way to make popcorn! http://bakedbree.com/perfect-stovetop-popcorn

    Reply
  18. Erica says

    November 03, 2015 at 9:37 am

    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!

    Reply
  19. Leilani Todd says

    October 29, 2015 at 7:46 am

    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!!

    Reply
  20. Kaleigh says

    October 18, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    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."

    Reply
    • Brittany says

      July 19, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      They typically pop in butter flavored coconut oil and add flavocal seasoning.

      Reply
  21. Roma says

    August 06, 2015 at 9:32 am

    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.

    Reply
  22. Nancy says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:34 am

    I add 1 tsp oil and 1/8 tsp salt BEFORE popping the kernels and it turns out just right.

    Reply
  23. becca says

    March 11, 2015 at 9:44 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      March 16, 2015 at 8:03 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Jenny says

        August 06, 2015 at 7:40 am

        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.

    • Arthur says

      August 10, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      3 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        August 12, 2015 at 11:30 am

        I would not recommend to deviate from what's prescribed here with a different type of bag.

  24. Tangela says

    January 01, 2015 at 10:16 am

    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

    Reply
  25. Haley says

    December 06, 2014 at 1:49 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  26. Lenny says

    October 15, 2014 at 5:10 am

    4 stars
    I can't wait to make this..

    Reply
  27. Di says

    October 15, 2014 at 4:42 am

    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

    Reply
  28. Anne says

    October 12, 2014 at 12:01 am

    I wonder if putting some sugar in the bag woukd make it taste like kettle corn. It is my favorite kind of popcorn.

    Reply
  29. Michele says

    October 04, 2014 at 11:17 am

    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!

    Reply
  30. Beth says

    October 03, 2014 at 9:53 am

    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!!

    Reply
  31. Katy says

    October 03, 2014 at 9:32 am

    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.

    Reply
  32. Karen says

    October 03, 2014 at 6:11 am

    4 stars
    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.

    Reply
  33. sara says

    October 02, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    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!

    Reply
  34. Lisa says

    October 02, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Holly says

      October 02, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Actually, that's a myth. Microwaving doesn't remove any more nutrients than any other cooking method.

      Reply
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Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

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