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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
Karen says
That's so funny. It took me forever to work up the nerve to try this too.
Lindy says
I've done this for years! I set my microwave for 2 min and if I don't pull it out quickly enough the popcorn burns so for the newbies making this, the timing depends on what kind of equipment you have. This is a great quick way to add something crunchy in lieu of chips for the kids lunches!
Fawn says
I used to to this, but one day while dumping the popcorn into a bowl I wondered, why not just pop it in the bowl? It took a little experimenting, but I found a bowl with a kind of parabolic curve worked best for me. I dump in 1/4 cup of kernels, pop a clean dry dish cloth on top to
Keep the kernels from bouncing out (but everything still breathes) and pop on high for 2:11. (I know that's a very specific time. It just happens to work for me.) The bowl does get hot, but I get great results and no paper bag gets wasted, either.
Jennifer says
Half of mine was burned before 2 minutes was over :(
I've got one of those presto microwave poppers... but it does have some sort of cardboard in sert that you put at the bottom of the bowl... probably some kind of carcinogen too :(
Karen says
I have been doing this for years and when I got a new Microwave, I had issues with my popcorn burning also. When I flipped the bag on its side, it helped. Try that!
barb says
Is the bag ok? I read that it's not known what chemicals are in brown paper bags.
jennifer says
Love your recipes, and loved this idea, but from what I understand, a brown paper bag should not be used in the microwave. It's easy enough to make on the stove in a pot with a bit of coconut oil. Not sure if these are valid concerns or not, but just as an FYI.
From the website http://www.freep.com/article/20121025/COL37/310250077/Susan-M-Selasky-Don-t-pop-corn-in-a-brown-paper-bag:
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service ( http://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."
The Popcorn Board supports the USDA stance. The board suggests that folks use a pan with a lid on the stove."
Also, from the website http://www.popcorn.org/AboutUs/IntheNews/tabid/74/Default.aspx:
"Plain and/or recycled papers are often made from unknown materials that could catch fire, interfere with microwave cooking technology and lessen the performance and longevity of a microwave oven. Most importantly, these unknown materials most likely are not approved as food grade papers, and should not come in direct contact with food products."
Jennifer says
Just tried this and the bag started on fire within the first minute.
janis says
I always use micro and brown paper lunch bags...so good!
Buffy says
This is an old Weight Watchers tip that I have used for years. It's yummy and not only whole grain but can satify that hunger pang. And best yet, you can keep the ingredients in your desk at the office for a quick wholesome snack to get through the afternoon (providing your office has a microwave).
Note though: On step number 2, you might want to leave out that no staples are necessary, because you never should use a staple on something going into the microwave. It will cause a fire. Just a thought. :) Happy, healthy cooking!
Melinda says
Using an air-popper is the way to go! They are very inexpensive to buy, and there is no oil needed. The result is great tasting, natural popcorn ready in seconds.
Jessica Daley says
I also use the glass bowl method and it saves the waste of a bag not to mention the chemicals that are in brown bags. I have a glass pyrex bowl that my plate sits on perfectly.. I dont even have to have it vented.. I do 1/4 cups of kernels for 2 mins, take the popped ones out, then for another 2 mins, or until it stops popping. I love it this way and there is no garbage to deal with. I didn't have a lot of luck with the bag plus I have 5 kids so one bag was never enough!
Liz Murphy says
I just made this for the first time today. Try #1 was a complete fail! I wasn't paying attention and set it the microwave for 3min 30 seconds. I opened up the bag and the popcorn was completely black. Try #2 I stated in the kitchen and listed to it stop popping. It came out fabulous!!! I added a little olive oil and salt and it was fabulous! Thanks for the recipe!!
Cindi B says
To avoid even having to use a bag, I've found I can also microwave kernels in a microwave-proof glass bowl with a plate set over the top, as long as there is a bit of venting space between the bowl and plate (my plate has a textured edge). No oil necessary, and when it's done, it's already in the bowl, ready for seasoning! My favorite new seasoning mix is brown sugar, sea salt, ginger, chili powder, and a dash of cayenne. I spray lightly with olive oil right after cooking, then sprinkle the seasoning on top.
Julie says
I love this and do it too. A quick (no pots, oil, etc) alternative to microwave popcorn full of crud, or other more fattening salty snacks.
as for the microwave problem, its popcorn not broccoli. You aren't eating it for the nutrients, little as they are. I am not pregnant, so not worrying about breast milk, the radio waves are not affecting my heart rate - and I don't buy frozen dinners thank-you-very-much so compared to a lot of other more insidious dangers in our lives (like people texting while driving) microwaving a little popcorn will not kill you. And Brooke, did you even read the article you posted?
Nicole Casey says
I don't usually have the brown bags on hand but I definitely just pop some kernels on the stove in a heavy pot. I just use a little bit of oil and then top with a little salt when it's done. Definitely better than the microwave stuff and so much tastier. and really a cheap way to have a salty "fun" snack!
Sarah says
We pop the popcorn right on the stove with coconut oil. We love it and gobble it right up. My kids don't even care for the butter and salt if I have used coconut oil. I also don't use the specified amount of oil when popping on the stove. I use less because you really don't need a lot of oil to pop popcorn.
Christi says
I love using the Nordic Ware Popcorn Popper. Have you tried it, Lisa?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Christy. I don't think any of us have. ~Amy
Brittany says
My husband and I use coconut oil on the stove to make popcorn. It is delicious and we cannot get enough!
Karen says
This worked great! I used some organic Trader Joe's kernels. Delish! Thank you!
Dinah says
Hi in regards to the bag catching fire. Some lunch bags have a waxy film could this have been the case?
maria smith says
I love your blog but I just wanted to put out a warning that I tried this last night and the bag caught on fire after about 20 seconds and now my microwave is dead. :(
Jason Leake with 100 Days of Real Food says
Hi Maria - Sounds like your microwave was malfunctioning. Microwaving popcorn for the specified time will not damage it. If you got a fire after 20 seconds you probably had some internal arcing. Here's a link to some info on how microwaves work and troubleshooting their repair. http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/micfaq.htm - Jason
Kara says
Thank you. I love this idea. The majority of us still use microwaves. We are all on a journey to eating healthier and at differing levels of investigating. One step at a time and right now my step is not buying microwavable popcorn from the store and this alternative is much healthier. For that, I am thankful.
Sabrina says
Very well stated. Thank you for the respectful comment.
Jacquelyn says
Thank you! This needed to be said. :)
Brooke says
I am shocked that you use a microwave also. With all the great precautions you take with your food, why would you alter it by using the microwave? http://m.medicaldaily.com/microwaves-are-bad-you-5-reasons-why-microwave-oven-cooking-harming-your-health-250145
Sue says
I have popped corn in glass bowl in microwave. I like air popper idea. I am also starting to shin my microwave
Alyssa says
I love the idea of it being healthier, but hating the microwave! I was actually shocked after reading through this blog that you use a microwave! Not trying to be a hater, just trying to suggest that you should look into it.
Brandy says
I bought an air popper. Just can't stomach using the microwave for anything.
Carol Douty says
My favorite way to pop popcorn is in a pan on the stove with a little bit of oil and whatever seasonings or flavorings sound good at the time. No fancy equipment needed. I've heard so many bad things about how using a microwave can add to the cancer cells and kill any nutrients in the food that I've stop using one.
Jenny says
Microwaving food is not really healthy idea.... I cook pop corn(organic - Non GMO) in a pot....Works nicely for my family:-)
Kelly says
it totally works although mine burned quickly so it took under 3 minutes for me... however, the part i could salvage was great!
Edith says
My kids love these popcorn
P Reis says
This worked fabulously well for me! I was considering buying a Whirly Pop but now I'll just stick with this. Soooo easy and no oil needed. Love it. Thanks!
Jame Braun says
This method didn't really work for me. It was well over 4 minutes and only about half the kernels popped and the bag was burning. And I even have a pretty powerful microwave. I did, however, just pick up an air popper from Goodwill (for $9!!!) and it popped every kernel perfectly in a matter of minutes. No oil, no chemicals, no nuking!
Sarah says
Fabulous! I am trying to cut out processed foods and this was a tasty snack. Thank you!
Karen says
I used to make popcorn this way. But I heard that paper bags are often "not just paper." They are not necessarily "food container grade." They may have other things mixed in. There may be other adulterants, such very small bits of metal. That would explain why a bag might catch on fire in a microwave.
Debby says
Hi! I keep reading this over and over because it is SO easy but I was wondering if anyone else had ever had this problem. I used to make popcorn like this all the time, but one time I was using this method and the bag caught on fire and burned the inside of my microwave. (The microwave still worked amazingly enough but it had some nasty looking burn marks all over it.) Since no one else appears to have had this happen to them, I wonder if it was an odd thing about the paper sack or something... Any ideas? I would love to do it this way again, but have been scared off since that experience.
Courtney says
This popcorn is amazing!!!! Thank you!
Catherine says
I make popcorn like this all the time, based on what I learned when I first ran across this post as I began my real food journey (thanks for all the great information, by the way)! Today we put chocolate chips, cinnamon, and pink salt in the bag immediately after popping and then shook the bag up... messy but AMAZING! Even with a small handful of chocolate, it's SO much healthier than whatever crap chemicals you get from a microwave bag of popcorn!
Kari says
Faboo!! Used this to make the cinnamon popcorn. Who knew you didn't need actual microwave popcorn or a huge kettle and stove?!! Worked great and NO unpopped kernels!! Score!!
Michelle says
I just recently went to my local farmers market this past weekend and one of the stand had dried corn on the cob on display as popcorn! I asked them how it works and they said put the dried out corn on the cob in the bag put it in the microwave for about 2-3 mins and viola! homemade REAL DEAL popped-corn. It came out wonderfully and i was so amazed at how WHITE the popcorn was. it looked so clean and the kids ate it up
Lee says
How can you be sure that your brown paper bags are definitely clean and safe?
Do you really know how and where they were manufactured and stored from the factory through various distributors and stores to your home?
Because I know that bugs like to hide and lay their eggs in stacks of cardboard and brown paper bags, i'd assume there's a good chance they've been sprayed or very close to some kind of pesticide that I don't want on my popcorn.
Catherine says
I figure the Chance of ickiness on my brown paper bags is way better then Definite chemicals in microwave popcorn bags. I always try to remember that nothing is 100%. What do I want most and what am I willing to sacrifice? I want what feels most safe and healthy for me and my family. And bugs' eggs are added protein, right ;)
Sarah says
Tried this, didn't work so well for me. My microwave is very small and weak. My paper bag didn't fit in it very well and that was probably my problem. Need a decent microwave to at least fit the bag so the popcorn is evenly heated and the popped kernels don't burn before the rest can pop.