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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.
The Popcorn Trick
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
Krista says
It is too bad that microwaves kill the nutrients in our food. That could be a good idea. I saw a science project where two identical plants were watered daily, one with boiled, cooled water from the stove, the other with boiled, cooled water from the microwave. In 9 days the plant watered with microwaved water was dead. That was all the push I needed to finally stop using the microwave. We use an air popper. It gives the same effect but without killing the food. You can see the experiment that was done here. http://www.execonn.com/sf/
Mariah says
Hi Krista, I saw your comment and was curious about the experiment with the plants dying. It really is quite shocking! I wondered if others had done similar experiments and so I did a quick search on google. I'm sorry to let you know, but I think the experiment on that website is a hoax. Please take a look at this link on snopes: http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp
You can see at the bottom that they attempted the same experiment in triplicate. The results were quite different! It's still possible that microwaves are not good for us, but I guess someone will have to find another way to prove it. ;-)
Martha Fuller says
This is much healthier and to Cathy The Pampered Chef has a wonderful spritzer. I bought one several years ago and I love it. You can purchase one online at their website.
Melanie says
AHHH!! Im so excited to try this. I love microwave popcorn but had that my fingers get shiny while eating it. AND now learning all the yucky extras I had with the butter and kernels. I am loving this new eating healthy. Thank you for all the good ideas, with so many wonderful recipes Im slowly converting my other family memebers. THank You Thank You!
Carrie says
We tried this because it sounded fun but the bag began to burn...FAST! I actually have a popcorn popper from Crate and Barrel and it work so great. I just put popcorn and oil or butter and done. Awesome every time.
Sariah says
Loved this! I finally tried this after months of knowing about it.... LOL- it seemed to simple to be true.... LOVE IT!!! I had to cut the time in half though to 1.5 minutes or else it burned. It popped pretty much all of the kernels though. Thanks!!
Cathy Morrin says
Anyone know where I can buy a spritzer that works well with oils?
Robin F says
Try Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=oil+spritzer&sprefix=oil+sprit%2Caps%2C159
Or Bed Bath & Beyond - http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=11318517
Or any store that sells kitchen tools.
Cathy Morrin says
Where can I buy a spritzer that will work well with oils?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Cathy. I LOVE the Misto one. You can find it here...https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/#tools. Jill
Shannon says
I bought my Misto at TJ Maxx. Actually, I bought 2, one for Olive Oil and one for Sunflower Oil!
Catherine says
I do this all the time but my microwave must be weird. I can only do two tablespoons at a time and for 1min and 55 seconds or not enough pop and they start to burn. I wish I could do 1/4 cup at a time. So, people might want to experiment to get their portions and times for their particular microwave.
Cindy says
Trying this now . . . .
jackie says
What a great idea.... I will be tryiing this for an after school snack. Thank You :)
Trina says
Any thoughts on Skinny Pop? The popcorn in the bag? We love it and looking at the ingredients it looks ok...
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Trina. I am not familiar with that product. Jill
Angela says
I've read that it's the chemicals on the inside of the microwaveable popcorn bag and not the popcorn that we need to be most concerned about. I'm definitely going to try the brown bag method.
marla says
This is how we make popcorn too! Linking back to this tomorrow :)
Diana Harris says
For those of you that cook it on the stove, could you explain exactly how you do it (what temperature setting, how long and does it have to be in a special type of pan?) Thanks.
Also, is there a specific type of "brand" of kernels to buy? Anything to be on the look out for? I've missed having popcorn as a snack so I'm very excited to try this.
BetsyD says
Thanks for this idea! A great seasoning to add to the popped corn is a little lime juice and sea salt. AWESOME!
Michelle says
One of my favorite low calorie alternatives to fresh popped corn is to add fresh squeezed lime and tobasco. You'll be hooked!
Pru Beyer says
We are on a much more rigid diet than even what "real food" calls for because of food allergies in our household BUT my daughter loves to make microwave popcorn for herself as a snack however she could not have any of the chemicals it normally contains ... yesterday, I brought home popcorn kernels & with my husband looking on in disbelief dumped them in the lunch bag and folded it up, put in the microwave and our daughter is now able to make herself popcorn again ... Thank you, this recipe truly just made my summer much easier!!!
Harry Hilders says
What about already putting some oil in the bag before you put in in the microwave?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Harry. I feel like if you put oil in the bag the paper would just absorb it. Jill
Kim says
Wonder if lightly coating the kernels before putting them in the bag would work, as long as you don't let the bag sit too long before heating.
Kat says
Hi Harry, if you look up Alton Brown's recipe (yes, he has a recipe for popcorn in a lunch bag) he uses oil. I tried it and you definitely need to put the bag on paper towels or a plate because the oil comes through the bottom of the bag, but it also works very nicely for getting the even coat of flavor!
Tara says
Nutritional yeast sprinkled on hot air-popped corn! Once you try this you're hooked! Enjoy!
tim says
Does anyone know if here is a problem with transfer of the glue used to makes the paper bag to the popcorn when microwaved?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Our team has not experienced that problem.
lori says
I use the microwave and a brown paper bag,no oil.
Jennifer S says
I use an air popper. Microwaves "kill" our food :(
Julie K. says
SO happy you taught me this fabulous, quick, easy, delicious popcorn recipe/trick. Tried it out tonight. Love it! Will never buy store bought again. My microwave has a "popcorn" button on it. I pushed it and it cooked it perfectly. Thank you, Lisa! (oh, and husband love it, too! :) )
natalie says
I just tried some popcorn made on the stove top in coconut oil and is was delicious!
Jennifer says
A Pot over the stove top, some kernels, and some coconut oil are about the healthiest way I make popcorn now. And it tastes WONDERFUL! It takes less than 10 minutes.
Caitlin says
I make popcorn on the stovetop. Put a couple of tbsp of peanut oil in a large pot, pour in kernels when hot, shale te pot over medium-high heat until popping stops.
Jessica says
I just stumbled onto your blog a few days ago and have read just about all of it now! It's wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing all of this information :)
Our family doesn't use a microwave and honestly thought that it was interesting that you and your family do. I say this because the idea is to take processed food out of our diet and microwaves are natorious for adversly altering food...
Here is a link that tells you some of the many health risks of them, many that people are not readily told about (for the same reason we are not told about the harm of processed food... $$$)
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/18/microwave-hazards.aspx
http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html
On the first link I would make sure that if you read nothing else than please read the highlighted part about how a microwave puts off 100x more radiation than that of what is FIRMLY linking to causing luekimia... its pretty spooky.
dee says
Thanks for the great post. I actually invested in a hot air-popcorn maker, under $30, a couple years ago when we wanted to delete processed out of our diets. I will definitely pass this onto friends who want to get the prepacked popcorn out of their diets, but don't have an air popper. It sure makes one feel good when they can be in control of knowing exactly what they are eating. Thanks for letting me be a part of your daily journey with life and family. :)
Terri Swope says
Thrilled to know about this!!! I love popcorn but hate the idea of all the horrible chemicals in the microwave bags. Never again - going home and tossing what I have left and putting popcorn and brown paper bags on my grocery list! Thank you!!!
Elizabeth says
How does this compare to air-popped? Is it just another way?
100 Days of Real Food says
It's just as good!
Laura says
I cannot believe how much room I am gaining in my pantry as I donate my boxed "food substitutes" and toss out items. I am actually keeping small appliances in my pantry! Our microwave popcorn was one of the items that got a pink slip. I am thrilled to make some popcorn for my girls for a snack or movie night. I even made it and put it in my purse for our trip to the local theater over the holidays. My husband didn't go for it but at least he didn't get the movie popcorn.
100 Days of Real Food says
I bring popcorn in my purse too when we go to the movies!
dawn says
Is microwave use safe though?
100 Days of Real Food says
I think it's debatable!
Jessica says
I don't think they are. Got rid of ours 8 years ago when we found out what they do to your food and the health hazards of even just standing near one, especially children.
Food Babe says
What's a good alternative to make fast popcorn for the people who don't use a microwave... like me? And without buying a fancy gadget!?
Food Babe says
Oh and no oil :)
100 Days of Real Food says
What's wrong with unrefined oil? :)
Jessica F says
We make our popcorn on the stove, which is a good alternative to the microwave. Basically, just find a kettle with a lid (it's better if it's a deeper pan; I have one similar to this http://www.anolon.com/cs/Satellite/Product+-+Anolon+Advanced+Bronze+Collection+3.5+Quart+Straining+Saucepan+with+Spouts/mProduct/1177513656321/anolon/1165434707711/mProduct/CookwareDetailEcomm.htm, and it's a perfect size). Put a tiny bit of oil on the bottom of the pan (just enough to cover the bottom), cover the bottom with a single layer of popcorn kernels, and let it go. It helps to shake the kettle a little (think jiffy pop, for those old enough to remember it). But it is delicious and healthy. We usually add a little salt and melted butter. It's so much better than the horrible microwave popcorn that's sold in grocery stores.
Jessica F says
I just saw your "no oil" comment above. I think you could make this popcorn without oil; it just helps to keep the popcorn from sticking. I use less than a teaspoon. :)
Sue says
I pop it on the stove too! Have been popping it lately in coconut oil. So tasty!
Dawn says
I got a used air popper on ebay for $5. You can also find some at thrift stores and craigslist. Now looking to buy the blue corn for making popcorn.
Crystal says
I got mine at a garage sale. I see them at garage sales often.
Rachel (De Ma Cuisine) says
We have a stove top popper (it was a gift, so I don't know how expensive, but I don't think too bad). But, it's basically the same as popping on the stove with a pot and a lid. I wonder if you could try it without oil, if that's a concern. We also got an air popper at a yard sale. :)
Emily says
Use a stainless steel pot with lid. We put a tiny bit of olive oil in the bottom and it is very yummy! It takes only a few minutes as well.
Alaina says
Love this blog by the way! I see some people are concerned with using a paper bag. When I make my own popcorn in the microwave I put the kernels in a microwave safe glass bowl with a microwave safe plate on top. Works great and no bag waste! Just be conservative the first time with the amount of kernels so the bowl doesn't get too full (and not pop correctly).
Fran says
My neighbors used to do this years ago, they would just throw the popcorn in a covered casserole dish and pop it. That way, you don't waste a paper bag each time.
Melissa QH says
I'm glad you discovered this trick! We used to use this too as kids. We have a whirly popper now, but paper bags have much easier clean-up :-)
BTW, I'm glad you reverted away from the microwave bags. Those bags, along with fast food wrappers contain PFAA's considered a "likely human carcinogen" with greater risks with early exposure. PFAAs are suspected to have a link to breast cancer when girls are exposed to it as children. And it has been shown to cross the placenta. Here's the link the review from several university research centers for anyone who is interested:
http://www.bcerc.org/COTCpubs/BCERC.FactSheets_all.pdf
Mona says
Another interesting twist which would make it even better would be to add Turmeric - Indian spice. It will give nice yellow color plus the health benefits!!
Rachael Knight says
We got rid of our microwave about a month ago. It was the greatest thing since switching to Real Food! We make ours on the stovetop in a regular pot. We didn't buy anything fancy & there's no need to store another gadget.
wendy says
I spray with the butter flavor mazola silicone free spray and then sprinkle with flavorings, garlic powder, sea salt, lime juice, chili powder, etc, depending on what flavor i'm going for and save on the butter calories too!
Holly says
I have a Demarle silicone round Flexipan that I use to make it in the microwave. This solves the paper bag issue.
rachael says
Cool! We usually use our air popper for popcorn, but this is a great idea for a quick snack for just a couple of us, rather than a big bowl for the whole family! :)
Kristin W. says
LOOOOOVE your blog! Here's a tip on the popcorn...at our farmer's market in St. Paul (MN) we actually can buy it on the cob and cook it within the brown paper bag. It is so fresh and yummy!
Dawnette says
We've been buying popcorn on the cob from our CSA, too. It's SO good! I pop it in a brown bag, then add about a pat of melted organic unsalted butter and a quick sprinkle of Redmond's Real Salt--YUM!