DIY Microwave Popcorn

One of the things I don't buy at the grocery store anymore is microwave popcorn. Not only is it expensive when you stop to think about what you're really getting, but it turns out, the chemicals used in the flavorings are probably really bad for you. I know - shocker, right?

So what's a popcorn lover to do? Well, you could do what i did, and go buy a big jar of popcorn kernels and just cook them on the stove in a heavy saucepan. The problem with that though is that I never could remember how much popcorn and oil to put in the pan, or when I was supposed to shake it.

Hey, on the rare occasions we did get popcorn, we grew up with Jiffy Pop!

Thankfully, I've learned a new way to make popcorn that is quick and easy. You just need some popcorn, a large paper lunch bag, and a measuring cup.

Cute helper optional. :)

Scoop half a cup of kernels into the paper bag. You can use 1/4 cup if you're only in the mood for a little bit.

Fold the top of the bag over twice.

Stick it in the microwave. It will start out like this...

...and end up laying down like this. The bag may scorch a little, but it's okay. I've done this a bunch and (knock on wood) I haven't set a bag on fire yet! (Full disclaimer - the first time I tried this I scorched the popcorn but it was mostly because I wasn't paying attention. Whoops!)

Pop it like you would a bag of regular microwave popcorn. Set the microwave for three minutes, but stop it when there are more than a couple of seconds between pops.

Now all you have to do is roll down the top of the bag and enjoy! This is lovely, air popped plain corn, but if you want you could always dump it into a bowl and drizzle it with melted butter and salt. If you leave off the toppings however, you've just made a pretty filling, low fat, high fiber snack.

You've also saved a substantial amount of money over commercial microwave popcorn. A jar of Orville Redenbacher's Original Popping Corn contains about 42 three-cup servings and retails for about $6 , or .14 a serving. In comparison, a box of Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Microwaveable Popcorn contains six 2-serving bags and retails for about $4, or .35 a serving. Even if you factor in the price of the bags (usually a buck or two for 100), that's about double the price!

Best of all? After we're done with our snack I can either recycle or compost the bag, as no oils were used. Kick butt.