Can you make your own microwave popcorn?

I was at the store and saw that a 9oz box of microwave popcorn was $2.87, but the 32oz of popcorn kernels was only $1.87. In these times of economic awareness, it is good to pinch pennies wherever you can. However, the idea of taking out a pot, and cooking the popcorn over the stove makes the microwave variety worth the price. Or does it? If I could take the kernels and pop them in the microwave...that would be a savings of time and money. But does it work? I set off to the kitchen to see.

I took ¼ cup of popcorn kernels and put them into a brown lunch bag. I folded the top of the bag over 2 times, and pressed the “popcorn” button on my microwave. WOW! Within 2.5 minutes, I had 6 cups of popped corn. There were a few kernels still left in the bag, but that is to be expected. I was surprised at how well it worked!

Now, the microwave popcorn companies have something over on my newly popped corn...flavor. No worries. I have two great recipes below to spice up the popcorn to make it the tasty treat we all know and love. If you have any other savory popcorn recipes...please pass them along.

I will admit that this last step of adding flavor is more time consuming, but not by a lot. However, because the ingredients you are using are coming from your cabinets, you can change them to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Plus, there are no worries of perfluorooctanoic (PFOA), which is a carcinogen that is found in the coating of some microwave popcorn bags.

This experiment was clearly a success!

Cheesy Parmesan Popcorn (EASY RECIPE)

¼ cup popcorn kernels

1 brown paper lunch bag

5 TBSP butter (melted)

½ tsp rosemary or thyme

¼ - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt to taste

Put the kernels in the bottom of the paper bag and fold the top of the bag over a few times, but be sure to leave enough room for the popcorn to expand. Put the bag in the microwave and push the “popcorn” button or cook for about 2 minutes (depending on your microwave).

While the popcorn is cooking, melt the butter and add the rosemary or thyme. After the popcorn is finished cooking, put it in a large bowl and pour the butter over it to coat. Sprinkle the cheese on top and toss until well coated. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Oscar Winning Movie Theater Buttered Popcorn (EASY RECIPE)

¼ cup popcorn kernels

1 brown paper lunch bag

8 – 12 TBSP butter

Put the kernels in the bottom of the paper bag and fold the top of the bag over a few times, but be sure to leave enough room for the popcorn to expand. Put the bag in the microwave and push the “popcorn” button or cook for about 2 minutes (depending on your microwave).

You will be making clarified butter, which acts much like the butter-oil movie theaters use. Put the butter into a microwave safe glass measuring cup. Microwave until the butter has completely melted. Let it stand on the counter for a few minutes so that it can separate into three layers. Skim off the top foamy layer. Then slowly and carefully pour the clarified butter (the middle layer) into a glass container, and discard the milk solids on the bottom. Pour 3 TBSP of the hot clarified butter over the popcorn and toss in a large bowl. Pick out your favorite movie and enjoy!