DIY Easy Homemade Microwave Popcorn (with a variety of seasoning ideas!)

Now that summer is over, there are going to be a lot more cozy, movie nights at home, on the couch... and you know what that means. POPCORN!

I never buy the pre-packaged microwave popcorn bag from the grocery store, mainly because it is so much cheaper, healthier and just as simple to do it yourself. To make my popcorn at home, in just minutes, I either use this, microwave method, or my stove top method. The best part is, you can make as much or as little as you want!

First off, you can pick up a pack of kernels and a 100-pack of paper lunch bags for pretty inexpensive at the grocery store, that will yield a lot more servings for your $$ than the pre-packaged varieties will give you...cheap! Secondly, certain store bought brands of the pre-packaged popcorn bags contain Artificial Flavors, weird ingredients, added butter, salt... unwanted calories. And don't even try to Google "is microwave popcorn bad for you" if you ever want to eat the stuff again. Now, if it is homemade, you know exactly what is going into it and you can customize it with any kind of seasoning blend you like, from sweet to spice (see my suggestions in the recipe below), or super healthy, with just a tiny bit of salt. Lastly, it doesn't get more simple than to throw some kernels in a bag, fold it up and microwave... It probably takes just as long to unwrap the individually, plastic wrapped packages, and prep the folded bag, right?!

All you need are some kernels and a brown lunch bag.

Microwave on high for a minute or two.

Voila, healthy Homemade Microwave Popcorn at home in minutes!

Remember, every microwave will take longer or shorter depending on wattage, so keep an ear out and listen for the popping to slow down to 2-5 seconds between pops. Be sure not to over pop, or you will get some burnt popcorn kernels in the batch and that burnt smell wafting through the kitchen.

DIY Easy Homemade Microwave Popcorn

Yield: about 8 cups popped

Ingredients

1 (lunch size) brown paper bag
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
1 teaspoons vegetable oil, optional

Seasonings

Classic: 1 tablespoon melted butter, margarine or calorie free spray butter, plus 1/2 teaspoon salt (popcorn salt is best), or to taste
Sweet Snickerdoodle: 3 tablespoons granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Garlic Parmesan: 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Spicy: 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Seasoning packets: 1-3 teaspoons taco seasoning, soup or spaghetti sauce mix packets, etc.

Directions

Pour popcorn kernels (and oil, if using) into the paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over a few times and place it on it's side in the microwave. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until the popping slows to 2-3 second between pops. Transfer the popcorn to a bowl*. Toss popcorn with seasonings of your choice if desired.

*Tip: Remove seeds by placing a cooling rack over the top of the bowl of popcorn and flipping everything upside down, so the seeds fall out, into a bowl or onto a towel, and the popcorn stays in the bowl. Return any upopped kernels to the bag and microwave as directed above, so none go to waste!