Making homemade microwave popcorn in a brown bag is easy and fun! If you’re craving some delicious popcorn and don’t have a popcorn maker on hand, this is the way to go. Making homemade microwave butter popcorn requires just a few simple steps, you can have a fresh and tasty snack in minutes. Plus, it’s a healthier option than store-bought microwave popcorn since you can control the amount of salt and oil you use. So grab a brown paper bag and let’s get popping!
This is also the best microwave popcorn. It is way easier than you think and has an outstanding flavor. Enjoy plain or seasoned to perfection with your favorite flavors (see suggestions below!).
If your family is a fan of popcorn like ours, then you have to try our Pumpkin Spice Popcorn too. The freshly popped popcorn mixed with pecans and cashews and drizzled with a homemade spiced caramel sauce is amazing!
Kids will LOVE making popcorn in the bag. Popcorn makes for a healthy gluten-free snack that can be enjoyed at snack time, movie night or during slumber parties. It is also the answer to curbing those salty or crunchy food cravings!
If looking to curb your sweet tooth, Saltine Toffee, Marshmallow Cream Fudge, Caramel Apple Slices or No Bake Peanut Butter Balls are the way to go.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or melted butter
- salt to taste
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
- Add the popcorn kernels to a small bowl. Add the oil and salt.
- Stir well then place the kernels into the brown paper lunch bag. Fold the bag over twice sealing it shut but leaving room for the popcorn.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes. Stop cooking the popcorn when the frequency of the popping slows down to almost stopping.
- Make sure there is still some popping when stopping the cooking to avoid burning the popcorn.
What To Put on Popcorn?
Add any of these seasoning variations to the brown bag after the kernels have popped to coat the popcorn.
- Butter – drizzle melted butter or garlic butter
- Garlic – add garlic powder with or without parmesan cheese
- Nutritional yeast – a vegan alternative to add a cheesy flavor
- Cinnamon & sugar – toss with this combo for a sweet treat
- Chocolate – drizzle white, semi-sweet or dark chocolate on the top (you can add chopped nuts too)
- Nuts – add peanuts, walnuts, almonds or pecans to the mix for a savory version
- Popcorn Seasoning – a ranch-flavored popcorn seasoning
- Caramel Popcorn Seasoning – a salted caramel-flavored popcorn seasoning
- Rosemary Salt– Try your hand at this homemade seasoning blend. It works great on popcorn or on veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the instructions are followed as written, you do not need to worry about exploding popcorn in the microwave.
Popcorn will last up to 1 week. Keep in mind that the shelf life may be less if perishable toppings such as cheese are added to the popcorn.
Store popcorn at room temperature in a container or right in the brown bag.
To make this butter popcorn simply melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle it over the popped popcorn and enjoy!
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- You can skip the oil if preferred, but it does make the popcorn more flavorful.
- Listen while the popcorn pops – once the frequently of popping slows down, remove from the microwave.
- Be careful when opening the bag as steam will release. We recommend letting the bag rest for a minute or two before opening.
- Not all the kernels will pop, which is normal. Pick out any popcorn kernels from the bag before serving.
More Healthy Snack Ideas
- Gluten Free Banana Muffins
- Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Fruit Salad With Watermelon
- Fruit Dip with Cool Whip
- Homemade Protein Bars
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
- Gluten-Free Chex Mix
- Tofu Smoothie
- Creamy Fruit Popsicle
- Popcorn Recipes
- Instant Pot Popcorn
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or melted butter
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep the popcorn kernels. Add the popcorn kernels to a small bowl. Add the oil and salt. Stir will then place the kernels into the brown paper lunch bag. Fold the bag over twice sealing it shut but leaving room for the popcorn.1/2 cup popcorn kernels, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or melted butter, salt to taste
- ⭐️ Microwave the popcorn. Microwave for 2-3 minutes. Stop cooking the popcorn when the frequency of the popping slows down to almost stopping. Make sure there is still some popping when stopping the cooking to avoid burning the popcorn. Enjoy!
Notes
Seasoning Suggestions
- Butter – drizzle melted butter or garlic butter
- Garlic – add garlic powder with or without parmesan cheese
- Nutritional yeast – a vegan alternative to add a cheesy flavor
- Cinnamon & sugar – toss with this combo for a sweet treat
- Chocolate – drizzle white, semi-sweet or dark chocolate on the top (you can add chopped nuts too)
- Nuts – add peanuts, walnuts, almonds or pecans to the mix for a savory version
- Popcorn Seasoning – a ranch-flavored popcorn seasoning
- Caramel Popcorn Seasoning – a salted caramel flavored popcorn seasoning
Nutrition
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Hector says
It’s great to know that making popcorn at home can be so simple and quick, and without the added preservatives and chemicals that are often found in store-bought microwave popcorn. I appreciate the tips on using a brown paper bag and a little oil to ensure even popping and prevent burning. It’s also great to know that the popcorn can be seasoned to taste with different seasonings like salt, sugar, or spices. This recipe is definitely a healthier and more affordable option for satisfying popcorn cravings. Thanks for sharing this useful tip!