So…when I was a little kid, I had a pet goldfish. During this time, my mom instructed me never, ever, ever to put my toothbrush down on the bathroom counter because I would surely get salmonella poisoning. Well, in the 29 years and 11 months that I’ve been alive, I’ve had fish for about 2 1/2 of those years, I do not currently have fish, and yet I am physically incapable of putting my toothbrush down on any kind of counter. In hotels. On counters that I have just disinfected. It’s a curse.
So remember a few years ago when a man became severely ill from lung-related complications because he ate too much microwave popcorn? In my brain, I know that I only eat microwave popcorn a few times a year, that it is a treat and by no means a habit, whatever. Yet the whole microwave popcorn has lodged its way into my subconscious the same way the goldfish thing did and I have since become nearly incapable of eating microwave popcorn. In my neurotic brain, it’s like eating wonderful, tasty death.
A few days ago, we received a comment from some wise, willful, wonderful woman (I don’t actually know if she’s willful, but we’ll give out an imaginary set of cookware to the first person who gets the reference) about how to pop popcorn in a brown paper bag. “Surely,” I thought, “this is a ruse.” I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of it before. I was convinced my lunch bag would burn. That there would be kernels, both popped and unpopped, all over my microwave. Then I googled it and stumbled across the fact that Alton Brown subscribes to the same method. Except that he staples his bag shut, which I canNOT wrap my brain around–I don’t care if he is Alton Brown, my microwave is the last vestige of wedding appliances and kitchenware that is still functioning, and it also looks like some kind of alien communication device, and I am not prepared to part with it over a couple of staples.
So then I went digging through my freezer for my popcorn, but then I realized that in June, during one of the darkest, most horrible nights of my life when my tooth abscessed and I thought I was going to die (to the point where, on top of about 8 ibuprofen, I drank some mouthwash in the hopes that it would take the edge off the pain, but not to the point where I considered calling our dentist friend before the semi-reasonable hour of 6:00 am), I used the frozen popcorn as a sort of ice pack. Not totally sure why I didn’t just use ice–maybe it was the mouthwash talking. In an effort to expunge all memories of that horrible night, I think I tossed the popcorn. So I had to send my husband out in the almost-middle of the night to buy popcorn so I could try this out. And it WORKED! I was amazed! And so relieved that I wasn’t going to die of some lung- and popcorn-related ailment from my 2-bags-a-year popcorn habit.
So what do you need? Popcorn. Salt. Butter. At least if you’re me–I’m kind of a purist that way.
You also need plain brown lunch bags. And tape. I’m pretty sure you don’t even have to tape the bags, although I tried it out several ways and had the best success with the taped bag. Again, I didn’t even venture into staple territory.
Alton recommends using oil, but I tried it both ways and I didn’t notice a difference in the taste between the oiled and non-oiled popcorn, but the non-oiled popcorn was virtually fat free, lower in calories, and less messy. So it gets my vote.
All you do is place 3-4 tablespoons of unpopped (duh, but it had to be said, right?) popcorn into a brown paper bag. Then you fold it over twice,and tape it.I pushed the air out–not in an obsessive, vacu-seal type of way, I just laid the bag flat on the table and pushed it once or twice. Then I laid it in the microwave and popped it for 2 1/2-3 minutes. It varied every time, even in my microwave, but it’s the same rule as regular microwave popcorn: once the popping slows down and you hear 1-2 seconds between pops, pull it out and shake it a few times and then carefully open it.
Then I added about a teaspoon of melted butter, a sprinkling of kosher salt, and we had an easy, neurosis-free snack in just a few minutes!
1/4 c. of unpopped popcorn is a great-sized (like, you could share and not be sad) high-fiber snack, and it only has 130 calories. A teaspoon of butter adds another 30-35 calories. You could add flavored salts like seasoning salt, Cajun or Creole seasoning, or even our Garlic Bread Seasoning. So how is that for the coolest thing you’ve seen today? Or maybe I just need to get out more…
Brown Paper Bag Microwave Popcorn
Recipe on Our Best Bites, courtesy of Linda, our Cool Reader of the Day
1/4 c. unpopped popcorn kernels
1 brown paper lunch bag
Tape
Seasonings like melted butter, kosher salt, seasoning salt, Creole or Cajun seasoning, bacon salt, or Garlic Bread Seasoning
Place unpopped popcorn in the brown paper lunch bag. Fold the bag over twice, tape it shut, and gently push the air out. Pop for 2 1/2-3 minutes or until there are 1-2 seconds between pops. Remove the bag from the microwave and shake gently before carefully opening the bag. Season as desired.
That is total awesomeness right there. I wanted to get one of those air poppers, but forget that! I can just get some brown paper bags 🙂 YAY!
NaDell, if you keep popcorn in the freezer because it helps all the kernels to pop when you apply heat. (I think it has to do with the cold making the kernel contract so that when heat and oil are applied there is a greater chance of explosion from the build up of pressure within the kernel.)
I am trying this tonight!!! I hate making popcorn on the stove, but it always tastes better home-made!
Kate, I just tried this and it went over so well I sceduled a blog post about it tomorrow. I'm giving you full credit and linking it over here. Just thought I'd let you know! Thanks for the great, super, fast and healthy way to do microwave popcorn! 🙂
adeliciousmelody.com
ok, just tried this and it caught fire in my microwave, freaked me out I didn't know what to do first! the microwave and burned bag are now on the front porch. It looks like it caught fire were the tape was but I will check to see if the bag is made from recycled material like the previous poster. I hope my microwave isn't ruined I will have to have my husband take a look at it. He is going to love this (not!)
A wee word of warning here: do not use paper bags made of recycled materials, they may contain metals which can get super heated and start a fire. Also, don't ever add oil or butter to the bag. (Same reason.)
I'm glad so many have tried this with good results, but I'll stick to making popcorn on the stove. (It's not that hard… really 🙂
We've been eating our popcorn this way for a couple years now…mostly 'cause we're cheap! A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is our favorite topping!
How funny you posted this, I JUST made a batch of your delicious Cinnamon Bun Popcorn and since I don't have an air-popper I did this and it worked great:) I LOVE your website!!! Everything I've ever tried has ALWAYS turned out DELICIOUS!
Who knew that my little ole' comment would spark such a popcorn popping frenzy! (Assuming it was mine on the Monster Munch last week before Halloween–which btw was a HIT at our school bake sale). Thanks for sharing on your blog. Oh & I am stunned that people didn't realize that store bought micro popcorn is just a {FANCY} white paper bag with kernels & LOTS of chemicals to make it last longer on the shelf. *Happy Popping*
I was checking my email for something and got sidetracked with Google reader. When I saw the header for this I had to stop and read. So glad I did. I laughed all the way through it! You are so funny! I'll have to try the popcorn after I get more from the store. Mine ended up on a fire outside with the kids giggling like crazy as they watched it fly in the air. Oh, okay. I started it, but it was so worth it!
I discovered this method a couple of months ago and was absolutely amazed that I had never heard about it before! So cheap, easy and healthy.
i always only have the "healthy pop" popcorn on the shelf, and my husband HATES it. So i tried this last night, and he LOVED it! He's all about the added butter and salt haha. I even ad to test out the stapler thing, just to see, and it was totally fine! (i should have had more care for our brand new microwavve though!) Thanks for the great idea! i LOVE your site!
So, a word about staples in the microwave. Did you know that you CAN put metal in your microwave? I do it all the time! I've defrosted and/or heated pans of lasagna, casseroles, etc, in the micro. I regularly nuke cans of frozen O.J. for 1 min to make it easier to mix up juice in the morning.
The rule is that the volume of food MUST be greater than the volume of metal. Then there won't be any "arcing".
So feel free to staple the popcorn bags shut…it works great!
I think that story is insane. Who eats microwave popcorn twice a day??? Still, I like your way better knowing that there isn't any other "stuff" in it. I am definitely going to give it a try.
Great timing! I'm about to make popcorn balls for a party and this will save trying it on the stove!
WOW, this is the coolest thing ever!! I'm so excited to try this! Thanks!!
Unfortunately, I am addicted to popcorn. I eat it several times a week and it takes every ounce of willpower I have to not eat it daily. My husband reminds me frequently of the man who got sick. I figure if I have to die a horrible death, let it be death by popcorn. I was so mad when they changed the "formula" to take out the dangerous chemical because it changed the taste. I have slowly weaned myself from extreme butter down to the mini-sized light popcorn, though. So I'm excited to try the paper bag. I'm already thinking about what I can buy with all the money I'll save.
ha ha ha… sad I didn't read this yesterday… not because of the popcorn, but because I own all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls on DVD and have watched each season at least a half a dozen times!!! Oh well 😉 Can I at least win an imaginary antique printing press?
Ok, I tried it. And it works!! I don't know why I get such a kick out of this, but it just cracks me up. I can't believe I've been buying nasty microwave popcorn for so long!! THANK you. I tried it with butter and kosher salt. Yummy. And then did a batch of cinnamon/sugar. Also yummy. I am linking to this on facebook and my blog. So cool!
Oooh, I second the scout popcorn thing. They sell the BEST popcorn EVER! Wish I knew where to buy it cheaper.
Do you find a difference between the kernels they sell for air popping and the ones you're supposed to use on the stove? I know neither of them work really well if you pop them the other way…
According to a Google search POP WEAVER produces/distributes the popcorn sold by the Cub Scouts.
That's brilliant. I wouldn't try staples though because metal and microwaves don't mix! 😀
Fascinating (or maybe I need to get out more too)! Thanks for sharing!
Fun, I have seen this before but have never tried it. I just happen to have 10 pounds of Cubscout popcorn. They have the BEST kernels evah! Which is why I have 10 lbs LOL. I have already used almost 3 pounds making carmel corn. I am going to go try this right now!
I've been popping corn in a paper sack for a couple of years now and I sometimes do popcorn several times a week! My mom got me started doing it. And I do use 2 small staples, have never had a problem. I spray my popped corn with butter Pam and then whatever flavor salt I want to use. I got scared about using microwave popcorn after reading about the health hazards from the chemicals inside the bag.
OMG!! How did I live this long and not know you could make regular popcorn with a paper lunch sack?!?
My mouth literally dropped opened as I was reading your post. I quickly ran to tell my 15 yo (who's pretty good in the kitchen). She couldn't believe it either So, yep, we ran to the kitchen to try popping corn in a paper sack.
I'm totally speechless. I will never buy another bag of microwave popcorn again!!
I love popcorn but CANNOT STAND microwave popcorn. I can "eat" it, but I just can't stand the "smell" of it – makes me gag. So, I'm a stove-top purist. I also prefer white kernels as opposed to yellow kernels – the white ones seem crunchier to me.
Let me ask you ladies this. By popping it this way, without oil – does it taste/crunch like popcorn made in an air popper? I'm asking because my dad and I did an experiment between stove-top with oil, and the air popper, and I still prefer the stove-top method. In my opinion, the popcorn from an air popper seemed "chewier".
Also, if I did want to try this method with oil, how much do you use?
Thank you.
Wow! I think this is seriously my favorite post from your blog! I think the same thing every time I eat microwave popcorn.
thanks!
WARNING: My dad caught his microwave on fire doing this. Nice little fire that took out the entire corner of his kitchen. Be sure you stand by with a fire extinguisher. I'm just sayin'! =)
My little boy is a popcorn aholic. We usually just air pop popcorn, but we'll have to try this sometime. By the way, thanks for the fun halloween snack ideas. I made the spider web 7-Layer bean dip and the hot dog mummies, except I used little smokies instead of hotdogs. They were easy but festive snacks (and no sugar! hooray). Keep up the great recipes you guys. Thanks!
I had no idea this could be done! I'll be sure to post a link on ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com. And I think I saw "Gilmore Girls" in an earlier comment, so I'm not the 1st, but it was the book dedication to Paris (or so she assumed) from the (much older) professor she was dating. I LOVE Gilmore Girls and have pretty much memorized every single episode.
I've been doing this paper bag method for years and I love it! So easy, and virtually no clean up. I also don't use any oil – I can't tell the difference, so why deal with the calories and the mess? And I use STAPLES everytime – never once a problem 🙂
For other readers out there trying this – I've gone back and forth using 1/4 cup and 1/3 cup unpopped kernals. My particular microwave works better with 1/3 cup – the popcorn seems to not burn as easily. But like Kate said, it all depends on your microwave. Another thing you can do is use your programed "popcorn" button – and if your microwave has settings, pick the "light popcorn" option. No matter how you do it, just get it out when the popping slows down.
Anyway, give it a try if you like popcorn – I do this for a late night snack and least 1-2 times a week 🙂 Awesome tip, Kate!