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Jessica shows you how to make your own microwave popcorn.
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Great tip!! And best of all.. the extra oil is NOT necessary!!
I tried this a couple of times after I saw it on an Alton Brown show and found I had a lot of unpopped kernals compared to just popping in pan.
AWESOME!
I don’t use the oil, but melt a little butter in another cup first to pour over the top of the popped popcorn. (I love my butter!)
I also put a little piece of tape to hold the flap of the bag. I used to staple it, but tape is easier to open. After all the popped corn is eaten, I often put the unpopped kernals from the bottom of the bowl back in the microwave to pop–they do get popped, and very little waste!
Well aint that just nifty! Thanks for sharing!!!
I have had great success using this method with my Pyrex casserole dish. I would urge caution, however, at implementing it in a paper bag. Those bags are made with paper pulp and non-foodsafe glue. I’m concerned with the toxins that could leach into the popcorn upon heating.
Sara, how do you make it in a casserole dish? I imagine if you leave it uncovered you end up with popcorn everywhere and if you cover it the popcorn would get soggy, so do you have a vented lid or something? Thanks!
I use a microwave safe glass bowl and place a paper plate over the top. It fits perfectly, keeps the popcorn in the bowl but is light enough for the popped popcorn to push it up to allow steam to escape.
I use a microwave safe glass bowl with a dixie paper plate on top. It keeps the popcorn in the bowl but is light enough that the popped popcorn pushes it open enough to allow steam to escape. I also use a little canola oil or none at all.
Sorry, left that part out. I use a dish/lid set, but it looks like the other plate options work well too:)
I use a big pyrex bowl with a plate inverted over the top of it, and no oil. That way we can watch the popping.
Sorry; meant to include this in the same comment:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Turkey_Alt_Routes/index.asp#2
Do Not Cook in Brown Paper Bags
Do not use brown paper bags from the grocery or other stores for cooking. They are not sanitary, may cause a fire, and may emit toxic fumes. Intense heat may cause a bag to ignite, causing a fire in the oven and possibly contaminating the turkey. The ink, glue, and recycled materials in paper bags may emit toxic fumes when they are exposed to heat. Instead, use commercial oven cooking bags.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but we used to do this until a bag caught fire and nearly burned the house down. Just a warning!
I had a bag catch on fire too (ruined the microwave – fortunately we caught it quickly before it did any damage to anything else)
Why not just make it in a pan on the stovetop? It’s not hard, doesn’t take that long and it’s fun for kids to listen to.
Yes, occassionally it may burn if you don’t pay attention but so can microwave popcorn. Plus it’s more environmentally friendly…no bags to throw away.
You can also make yummy kettle corn on the stove by adding sugar to the mix. There are lots of instructions online for this.
You really shouldn’t use olive oil at that high of temperature. Coconut oil is best for popcorn and it’s good for you!
Nordic Ware makes a bowl (looks like plastic), but is really some sort of unbreakable “gemstone” cookware. Simply add kernels to the bowl and nuke for a few minutes and VOILA….microwave popcorn. They sell it at Wal-mart and online for around $10. We have had ours for over 6 years and my husband uses it every other day. We give the popcorn a little spritz of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter and some salt AFTER we cook it. Super yummy and low-calorie for very little pennies. Here’s the description on Amazon….Nordic Ware 60120 Microwaver Popcorn Popper 12 Cup
We use the exact same bowl and LOVE it! It is also dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
I have a bowl like that, too, and I love it.
Be careful with this! I know others have posted warnings but here’s mine.
My mother tried this several years ago and the bag caught on fire and ruined her microwave. She was standing beside it, and immediately stopped the microwave, but it was too late!
I appreciate all the burning warnings (here and on my blog!)
I wonder *why* it happens – is it the oil? The brown paper bag? A higher temperature microwave? I’ll have to look into this more
I really like this idea – will tweak it at home. I really like the idea of controlling what my kids snack on. May have to try it with the coconut oil as we just starting using that. I don’t think we’ll be buying the prepackaged micro-pop any more!
I am afraid to try the staple because it can spark and start a fire! Tape will work. I like the idea, but have used a dry popper instead and poured on olive oil and raw butter mixture after it’s popped. Form thosenot concerned about microwave emissions, it is a fun and helpful idea!