Microwave popcorn is so quick and easy to make at home with kernels and pops up fresh and perfect every time. Make in a bowl or a paper bag and add your favorite toppings!
We eat A LOT of popcorn in my house.
It’s roughly a weekly go-to with our kiddos for movie nights. They love the stuff.
I’m happy to oblige because it is so quick and easy to make in the microwave.
I get the popcorn going while everyone’s getting ready for the movie, then we all sit down with a bowl or cup of it (and a paper towel for greasy hands) and happily dig in.
There’s something really cozy and warm feeling about it. Not to mention it's so tasty!
So sometimes we have it for a mid-week snack, too.
Homemade granola bars, raw brownie bites and 5-ingredient granola are also favorite weekly snacks in our house.
Bonus: Popcorn is a whole grain, so all on its own, it’s technically a really healthy snack.
And depending on what you add to it, it can stay that way. (Yeah, I know, we like ours with plenty of salt and butter, too, but still...)
Regardless of what you add, making it at home is a much healthier version than the store-bought popcorn. You can recognize all of the ingredients, for one thing.
Plus, it’s SO much cheaper to make it yourself.
Today, I'm sharing two different ways you can make popcorn at home:
- Microwave popcorn in a glass bowl
- Microwave popcorn in a paper bag
I’ve done both ways many, many times and they each work great. It’s a matter of what materials you have on hand and what your preference is.
I’ve also got some fun topping and mix-in ideas too, if you want to jazz up the flavor of your popcorn.
Movie nights, here we come!
Now, I’ve got some notes and tips coming up on how to make microwave popcorn, as well as ideas for toppings. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is at the end of the post, just above the comment section.
Recipe Notes:
- As a general rule, 3 tablespoons of popcorn kernels equals about 7.5 cups of popped popcorn, give or take.
- You should stop the cooking time in the microwave when you hear 2 to 3 seconds of pause between pops at the end.
- Some kernels may not pop. That’s OK. Don’t keep adding time because that can cause some of the popcorn to burn and that doesn’t taste good at all.
- Be careful of the steam when you open the bowl or bag. Also, use oven mitts to remove your container carefully from the microwave.
Most grocery stores sell popcorn kernels; either in a bag or a plastic container. It’s usually near the nuts and other popcorn products.
You can also buy popcorn kernels online. Here’s one large container, but there’s all kinds of different sizes and brands to choose from.
And who would I be if I didn’t give you some ideas for fun toppings?
Popcorn Topping Ideas:
- Butter, salt and chili powder - add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick
- Cinnamon and sugar
- Melted chocolate and sea salt
- Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
- Chili lime seasoning
- Toasted coconut
- Browned butter, rosemary and lemon peel
- Bacon grease and crumbled bacon
- Pumpkin spice
- Apple pie spice
- Ranch seasoning
- Peanut butter (melt with honey and sugar until pourable)
- Caramel or salted caramel
- Salt and vinegar
- Buffalo sauce and butter
- Old Bay seasoning
You can also add some fun mix-ins to homemade popcorn, such as mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows, dried fruit (such as raisins or dried cranberries) or small candies.
(Popcorn is one of the ingredients in my loaded and festive Valentine’s Day snack mix.)
The options are endless. And oh so delicious.
Movie night never looked so good. Pop up some popcorn today and settle in for a cozy evening.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Easy Microwave Popcorn
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Kosher or sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- For microwave popcorn in a glass bowl: Add the popcorn kernels to a large microwave-safe glass bowl with a tight fitting lid. (Such as a large Pyrex bowl.)
- Cover the bowl, place in the microwave and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes. Listen carefully and stop the popcorn when you hear 2 seconds between pops at the end.
- Carefully remove the bowl using oven mitts and open, being careful to avoid the steam that will escape the bowl.
- Add the melted butter and salt, to taste. Mix well and serve immediately.
- For microwave popcorn in a paper bag: Add the popcorn kernels to a large paper bag. Fold the bag down twice at the top to seal it.
- Place in the microwave and microwave on high for 3 ½ minutes. Listen carefully and stop the popcorn when you hear 2 seconds between pops at the end.
- Carefully remove the bag and open, being careful to avoid the steam that will escape the bowl.
- Transfer the popcorn to a serving bowl and add the melted butter and salt, to taste. Mix well and serve immediately.
Alexandria Cannito
This is such a fun article! Thank you for taking the time to write this all out and show a way to have fun with a traditional movie snack. My friends and I will be giving this a try at our next girls night!
Kathryn Doherty
So happy it's helpful! Enjoy your fun night - and the popcorn! 😊
Harlan
Please don't use a paperbag- ours burst into flames as I opened it!
Kathryn Doherty
Wow, I'm so surprised to hear this. I've done it this way many times, and know tons of others who make it this way, too. I wonder if it's something different about your paper bag - if it had a lining or coating that wasn't microwave-safe or something. Anyway, thanks for the warning!
Chrissy
Omg! Amazing and good!
Kathryn Doherty
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Chrissy! 😊
Theresa Pye
Does the bowl lid need to be vented or can you use saran wrap or a microwave-safe plate?
Kathryn Doherty
Hi Theresa! You don't need to vent the lid - I put mine on securely. I'm not sure about using saran wrap or a plate - I haven't tried it that way before.
Gloria Murphy
Hi, I use a dome splatter cover that has vents. It works great.
Kathryn Doherty
Great idea - thanks so much for sharing!
Julie
Don’t use your Pyrex bowl mine exploded!
Kathryn Doherty
Pyrex bowls are microwave-safe, so should be OK. But I have heard that you shouldn't microwave a cold Pyrex bowl because that big swing in temperature can cause it to crack or shatter.
CLAUDETTE
She doesn’t say if she uses the plastic lid with the large pyrex bowl? It seems implied, but just checking. Thank you
Kathryn Doherty
Hi, good question! Yes, I do use the lid along with the pyrex bowl when microwaving the popcorn kernels. Hope that helps!
Nancy
Walmart sells a popcorn carafe that works really well. It has a red plastic handle and a vented lid where you can put butter that drips on the popcorn as it pops.
Kathryn Doherty
Oooh, that sounds like a fun gadget!
HomeRecipes
Thanks for such an interesting recipe! I love to cook and will try your popcorn recipe soon.
Alison Libby
Using brown paper lunch bags is not as safe as you think. There is a potential fire hazard, potential toxic fumes from the glue used in the bag seams and the paper used, especially if the paper is from recycled materials. The composition of the brown paper from recycled materials is unknown. They are not considered food grade bags for cooking in. Use glass or food grade silicon bowls with a lid or bowl with a good fitting lid.
Lindsay B.
This worked out pretty good for me. I did 1/3 c of kernels in a glass bowl. But a lot of my kernels remained unpopped. And I didn't end up with much popcorn. I added 30 seconds to the total time, but think I could have done more. I was worried about burning them. I topped them with a mixture of melted butter, hot honey, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Sam
I wouldn't recommend using paper bags. The glue was not meant to be heated nor is it microwave safe. I read a study that it released toxic fumes.
I use a microwave pasta maker, e.g. pasta boat. It comes with a strainer lid which keeps the popcorn in but let's the steam out. You can find it for a few dollars on Amazon, Walmart or eBay. Believe it or not, it makes the best pasta with no stirring or waiting for water to boil.
Sam
Tajín seasoning for a tangy Mexican kick! Or ranch dressing seasoning or powder for an American tang! Milk of magnesia for some creamy goodness!