This article is part of Epi Loves the Microwave, our exploration (vindication?) of the appliance everybody loves to hate.
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I love movie theater popcorn. There's something about the enormity of it, the sheer thrill of sitting down with a tub of popcorn as big as your torso and munching on it mindlessly for 2 hours straight. Seriously: is there any other snack we can eat in such insane volume without feeling like we're breaking a social taboo?
But I don't get to the movies that often, and I'm not a fan of pre-packaged microwave popcorn. The fake-butter flavoring leaves a weird, filmy feeling on my tongue, reminding me that I have no idea what's actually in the popcorn. (At least the chemical once used in the flavoring that causes a rare respiratory disease with the banal yet terrifying name of "Popcorn Lung" is now banned.)
So my husband and I started experimenting with making popcorn at home. We considered getting an air popper, but we have a small kitchen, and the thought of having to get out a stool and rummage past the unused canning equipment I once bought in a short-lived fit of ambition in order to retrieve a single-use appliance is unappealing. I tried making popcorn in a pot on the stove a few times, but could never get the heat quite right'either half the kernels wouldn't pop or I'd overcook it. (And scorched popcorn = the worst.)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Tommy Werner
But then my husband read about a way to make popcorn in the microwave using only a brown paper lunch bag, and our household movie nights were forever changed. The method is foolproof (well, mostly'see the cautionary note below), takes less than 3 minutes, and makes popcorn that will neither leave your tongue filmy nor cause rare respiratory diseases. Here's how to do it:
Place ¼ cup uncooked popcorn kernels in a brown paper lunch bag. (NOTE: To avoid the possible use of metallic paints, this should be a plain, unadorned paper bag. I once used a Hello Kitty'themed paper bag, and Hello Kitty's face caught on fire.) No need to add any oil at this point'it's not necessary for cooking and it'll just soak through the bag and get your microwave all greasy.
Fold the top of the bag down about half an inch to seal it. Then fold it a second time, pressing firmly. (You want to make sure the bag is securely closed so it doesn't burst open as the kernels begin to pop.)
Place the bag upright in the microwave and set the microwave on high for 2½ minutes. Then stay near by and listen: You want to stop the microwave soon after the popping noises slow to avoid overcooking, regardless of whether or not the 2½ minutes are up. The popcorn will be ready faster if you have a powerful microwave. Open the bag carefully, keeping your face and fingers away from the steam.
Technically, you could add your flavorings right to the bag at this point, but that can get a little messy. I like to pour the popcorn into my largest mixing bowl, mostly because I (shhh) usually make a double batch and want to have plenty of room for mixing in the toppings.
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Try this zero-waste, air-popped popcorn method of making popcorn at home! It's an easy, money-saving kitchen hack to add to your repertoire using a microwave and plastic-free bag. It's called air popping, as no oil or stovetop is required, and you can customize seasonings to your liking.
I'm all about healthy snacking and reducing waste in my kitchen. Today's recipe for zero or low-waste Air-Popped Popcorn checks both of those boxes. If you've already tried my healthy popped sorghum recipe, this is similar but with the more classic kernel: corn! This fluffy popcorn is one of my favorite snacks and the best way to make it.
It's surprisingly easy to pop your own corn without added preservatives, artificial flavorings, or other not-so-healthy ingredients. In fact, you don't even need one of those foldable popcorn bags (that always come in a sleeve of plastic for some reason). And you don't need any fancy equipment like a popcorn maker.
Once you try this easy microwave method, you can cross popcorn bags off your grocery list forever. You'll save some waste, energy, and trees in the meantime. Plus, you can flavor your homemade popcorn however you like it. Making your own popcorn has never been easier.
Learning to make air-popped popcorn is so easy and totally delicious. All you need is popcorn and a reusable bag! Oh, and a microwave! Some people use the stovetop or air popper, but the microwave works super well and is quite easy.
Simply put the kernels in your bag, pop it into the microwave, and cook for two to three minutes. While the microwave is running, listen for popping. Stop as soon as you hear the kernel pops start to slow down to prevent burning.
Yes, it's up to you whether or not you want to add a bit of oil to the popcorn. You can leave the oil out and enjoy a totally oil-free snack. Or add a bit of neutral oil like avocado for extra crispiness and flavor.
Yes, silicone bags are microwave-safe. It's always best to check the manufacturer's recommendations, of course. I use these sandwich-size bags from Stasher. They stand up on their own, which makes microwave popcorn super easy.
Have fun adding your favorite seasonings to your fresh popcorn kernels. I personally love:
The possibilities are endless, and you can go sweet, savory, spicy, or umami.
Store leftover popcorn in an airtight container or bowl with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to a week. Use it for movie night, or store it in individual bags for an on-the-go healthy snack.
Healthy Homemade Chex Mix
Sourdough Discard Crackers
Chivda | Indian Snack Mix
Japanese Rice Crackers
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Servings:
1
-2 servings
Cook:
5
minutes
mins
SaveSaved Pin PrintTry this zero-waste, air-popped popcorn method of making popcorn at home! It's an easy, money-saving kitchen hack to add to your repertoire using a microwave and plastic-free bag. It's called air popping, as no oil or stovetop is required, and you can customize seasonings to your liking.
'
3-4
tablespoons
popcorn kernels
'
reusable silicone sandwich bag or brown paper bag'
neutral oil
optional
'
seasoning recommendations
optional
'
salt to taste
'
For more information, please visit popcorn in paper bag no oil exporter.
nutritional yeast
'
garlic salt
'
truffle salt
'
vegan butter flavoured coconut oil
'
any other spices of choice
Add corn kernels to a reusable silicone bag or paper sandwich bag with the top folded down a few times until secure. If desired, add a touch of neutral oil and shake to coat.
Microwave for 2-3 minutes, time will vary by microwave. Listen for popping and once the popping starts to slow, stop the microwave. I found best results working at 75% microwave power.
Add seasoning to the bag and shake to coat. Enjoy!
@veggiekinsStop buying popcorn & make it lowwaste! Your wallet will thank you ' #zerowaste #veganrecipes #vegan #kitchenhacks #cookingtiktok #sustainability
' Butter ' ''''' (BTS)
Yes, it's up to you whether or not you want to add a bit of oil to the popcorn. You can leave the oil out and enjoy a totally oil-free snack. Or add a bit of neutral oil like avocado for extra crispiness and flavor.
Yes, silicone bags are microwave-safe. It's always best to check the manufacturer's recommendations, of course. I use these sandwich-size bags from Stasher . They stand up on their own, which makes microwave popcorn super easy.
Have fun adding your favorite seasonings to your fresh popcorn kernels. I personally love:
The possibilities are endless, and you can go sweet, savory, spicy, or umami.
Store leftover popcorn in an airtight container or bowl with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to a week. Use it for movie night, or store it in individual bags for an on-the-go healthy snack.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiekins on Instagram and hashtag it with #veggiekins
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