I have a simple rule: if I can do something for pennies in just a few minutes, then it’s not worth buying. Brown bag microwave popcorn is frugal and uses items most of us already have. I’ll show you how to make microwave popcorn with perfect results – no fancy air poppers or expensive gadgets needed.
By making it yourself, you can save at least 60% of the store-bought cost (but usually even more). Since we go through a fair amount of popcorn, I figured it was worth making our own to save money as well as make one of our favorite snacks even healthier.
In order for this to work, we needed to make it just as easy as grabbing a store-bought bag and popping it in the microwave. Now that we’ve done this several times, I can confidently say that not only is this just as simple as making a bag of store-bought popcorn, but it also tastes better.
🧑🍳 Ingredients
✅Brown lunch bags – I selected these as they are about the same size as the store-bought microwave popcorn bags and they fold extremely easily.
✅Popcorn kernels – I bought a two pound bag at the grocery store, but you could get it even cheaper with a run to Costco.
✅Salt & butter – This is for serving and 100% optional. Enjoying your popcorn plain is obviously the healthier choice.
🍿 Instructions
👉Step 1: Place ¼ cup of popcorn kernels in a brown lunch sack.
👉Step 2: Fold the top of the bag over two or three times. This will trap the kernels so they don’t go spilling out.
👉Step 3: Place the bag in the microwave and microwave, until the popping slows. We tend to get the best results by microwaving for 1 minute and 45 seconds, but time varies according to your microwave.
✏️Note: Expect the bag to move around a little bit in the microwave as the kernels pop and force the bag to expand.
📌 Expert Tips
🔸Steam is the enemy of crunch, so open the bag immediately after popping to let the steam escape.
🔸We like to store brown bags with kernels that are ready to go in a popcorn basket that we purchased at the Dollar Store. This makes it just as easy to grab as store-bought microwave popcorn. Even easier, actually, if you account for the time it takes you to wrestle with the plastic wrap off the store-bought popcorn.
🔸We also use a tall Tupperware container to store the remaining kernels and the measuring cup to make things super easy on ourselves. The brown bags are stored right next to the popcorn container.
Frugal Tip: Reuse the brown paper bags! We do all the time. We don’t add any oil but even if you do, those oil stains shouldn’t be a problem if you’re reusing the bag one or two more times on the same day.
🧂 How To Season Plain Popcorn (& Make It Stick)
As much as I like healthy foods, sometimes I like to give this plain popcorn a flavor upgrade. The problem is if you try to sprinkle salt or seasonings on it right away, it will just slide off the kernels and end up at the bottom of the bowl.
🧈 Make Your Seasonings Stick
A bit of fat will make the surface of the popcorn more adherent. I rely on two methods.
🔹The healthy way – I use olive oil or avocado oil spray. A quick mist and your popcorn will become clingy with a minimum amount of fat.
🔸The indulgent way – Drizzle some melted butter over the hot popcorn and give it a good toss.
🧀 Fun Flavor Ideas
I am a huge fan of the basic salted popcorn, but I also need to keep my family happy. So we occasionally enjoy some flavored homemade popcorn. I’m always surprised by how much better it tastes than the store-bought kinds!
⭐Churro style – Cinnamon + sugar.
⭐Ranch – Season using dry Ranch dressing mix.
⭐Cheesy – I use grated Parmesan cheese but if you need a dairy-free option with a cheesy flavor, try nutritional yeast.
⭐Sweet & salty – Add salt and a handful of chocolate chips or M&Ms over the hot popcorn.
⭐Taco – Add a teaspoon of taco seasoning.
❓ FAQ
Yes! These brown paper bags can be reused several times since we didn’t add any oil. Don’t throw them out!
Yes, but it’s optional. If you want the popcorn to taste a bit more like the movie theater version, toss the kernels in 1/2 teaspoon of melted butter or coconut oil before putting them in the bag. Just remember, this will leave grease spots on the bag, so you can only reuse it on that same day.
Related Recipes
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Equipment
- Brown Lunch Bags
- Microwave
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Popcorn Kernels
- Salt & Butter for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Pour ¼ cup of popcorn in to a brown lunch bag.
- Fold the bag over to lock the kernels in place.
- Microwave the bag for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Note: Every microwave is different, so adjust your time accordingly.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
amazing!! just like the Kirkland popcorn
Or you can do it in a covered Pyrex or microwaveable bowl.
I use a large silicone cover, set the microwave for 4:00 minutes. I don’t know whether the cover type matters. Small bowl seems better than large. The bowl WILL get hot. I use a little oil or butter or none at all.
I had a bowl crack (one I had used dozens of times previously) when I tried adding some spicy flavorings to the butter. Since the bowl cracked exactly at the point where there was a bit of the spice, I’ve avoided additions to the oil and have had no further problems.
Perfect for a single serving.
Maggie, I’ve never tried it in a Pyrex but I’m going to now! That is GENIUS!!! Thank you for taking the time to comment as I know that will help readers! Cheers! Ginny
#great idea will be trying soon?
Suppose to be meal planning… made this instead.
Turned out amazing! Shared it with my furry pets (bunnies, guinea pigs and gerbil) since it has no additives. Cats where not excited about it though lol!!! Thanks for posting. Making a batch of them for my kids.
Quick thought, you didn’t include salt or butter in your prices. Granted, it’s still quite a bit of savings, but it would be flavorless without!
As far as the “oil released by the kernel,” it’s literally minuscule and typically more is required for flavor.
I love popcorn! Don’t always have time or want to make a full pot with my Whirly-pop Popper on the stove top. Happy to find this fab idea!!! Thank you
I hope you enjoy it. It really is super simple to make!
You stated that there will be some oil left over in the bag after it’s first use, but I didn’t find any use of oil in your instructions.
Hi Gena, I was referring to the natural oil the popcorn kernels produce once popped.
I seriously had no idea we could make our own popcorn bags! Popcorn in my house is a must for movie night. Thanks for the awesome idea!
Sammi
This is great! I didn’t realize that you could pop the kernels dry. I thought that the bag needed to have oil or butter or something to make the kernels pop and prevent burning. Cant wait to try this! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I started doing this more for the health aspect (storebought micro popcorn bags as well as many of the butter flavorings contain all kinds of unhealthy additives or chemicals. EW!) I’ve also had good luck reusing bags but, just like with storebought micro popcorn, you do have to watch out for scorching.
The only thing I don’t like is that you can only make small amounts at a time. If you regularly eat popcorn as a snack and serve more than 2 people, you might want to invest in an air popper which will make a healthier snack, still at a fraction of the price.
i can’t wait to try this this weekend! thanks : )
Make sure the bags are not made from recycled paper. The chemicals used in the recycling process are toxic and that type bag should not be used. Maybe cheaper but you will be exposing you & your loved ones to toxic chemicals.