Ditch the store-bought microwave popcorn and make Homemade Microwave Popcorn with just a few simple steps, for a healthier whole-grain snack.
Popcorn is one of our all-time favorite snacks at our house.
While I prefer, Stovetop Popcorn, I also love homemade microwave popcorn.
How to Make Homemade Popcorn in a Microwave
Yes, you can have homemade microwave popcorn without buying prepackaged bags.
The method for making homemade microwave popcorn is INCREDIBLY easy.
Making Microwave Popcorn using a Bowl
- Pour in 1/2 cup kernels into the bowl and cover the bowl with a plate.
- Place in microwave and heat 2-5 minutes (timing depends on your wattage of microwave).
- The popcorn will be done when popping slows to more than a second between pops.
- Of course, you can use a special bowl designed for popcorn in the microwave, but I just use a glass bowl.
Making Microwave Popcorn with a Paper Bag
I used to use a brown paper lunch bag in the microwave, however, the FDA has warned against this method, and I have heard of them catching on fire in the microwave–so if you used this method before–It is time to make a change to using a BOWL to pop popcorn in the microwave.
How to Season Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Seasoning homemade popcorn is up to you and the options are limitless.
- Mist with oil and season with fine salt.
- Coat with melted butter and sprinkle with salt.
- Sprinkle with cheese and seasonings.
- Use Parmesan cheese with Italian seasoning.
- Drizzle with caramel and chocolate chips.
More Easy Homemade Snacks
- Stovetop Popcorn
- Homemade Cheese Crackers
- Easy Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Sushi
- Gluten-Free No-Bake Granola Bars
Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1/4-1/2 popcorn kernels
Instructions
- Pour in 1/2 cup kernels into the bowl and cover the bowl with a plate.
- Place in microwave and heat 2-5 minutes (timing depends on your wattage of microwave).
- The popcorn will be done when popping slows to more than a second between pops.
- Of course, you can use a special bowl designed for popcorn in the microwave, but I just use a glass bowl.
Notes
- Be sure to use a bowl and plate that are heat safe.
- The glass bowl method makes two servings of homemade popcorn.
I did this with the “heat proof” bowl which shattered in the microwave.
I am so sorry that happened Elle. I have never had this issue myself.
Hi. I found your recipe while searching for a way to microwave popcorn without a paper bag. I used a ceramic bowl with a plate on top. I also stretched a small towel over the top of the bowl, underneath the plate, to absorb some of the steam. I used a package of Bob’s Red Mill popcorn kernels that I bough just about a month and a half ago and has made other popcorn on the stove without any problems. I started with just 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels. I poured in a little olive oil and rolled the kernels around. After nearly 10 minutes, I had only heard 1 or 2 kernels pop at a time, I never got that big explosion of popping you usually hear. I took it out to look at it because some of those kernels had popped 5 minutes ago and I was afraid they were going to burn. Only about half of the kernels had popped. Those that did pop were fluffy and delicious. I took out the popcorn that had popped and put the second half of the kernels back in the microwave. I let it go for a few more minutes. Again, there was no big explosion of popping, just 1 or 2 at a time. When I took it out of the microwave again, the popcorn that had popped was quite well done – still edible and not quite burnt, but less fluffy and a bit overcooked compared to how the first half had come out. There were still some unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bowl. I don’t know what I did wrong because aside from putting the towel over the plate to absorb the steam, and using fewer kernels, I followed the recipe. Thanks.
Hi Rebecca! I am sorry you had issues. Adding a towel would interfere with how the heat conducts, so that may have been part of the issue. The other two issues would be rolling the kernesl in oil first and taking out the popcorn and putting back in the microwave, which always slows down the cooking process. Homemade microwave popcorn is much slower than bagged popcorn when popping, so patience is needed. And the oil can interfere with the popping as well–it is best to season after popping.
Hi,
I tried to make the popcorn in a glass bowl with a plate on top but after 6mins only three or four popped.
Could you tell me why that is?
Also tried putting oil and I got a few more but nothing really…
Any suggestions, please?
My microwave is at 100% voltage.
I find if my popcorn kernels are older this can happen, that may have been the issue.
Delicious!! I popped it with a little canola oil and salt and it’s perfect. Thank you!
WAHOO! So glad you enjoyed this snack!
I’ve used this method alot but mine is always Dry I have tried different things still the same but I never used the popcorn setting I’m going to try it next time it might help
Hi Glenda! I like to spray it with some butter or olive oil and then season with salt. That helps!
I have made my popcorn in the microwave before with kernels like you suggest above. I have a question.
Have you ever misted the bowl with oil and sprinkling with salt in before making the popcorn? If so, I would love to hear if that was problematic. I sprinkle salt in with the oil when I make popcorn on the stove. It disperses the salt more evenly, (in my opinion) and often I will not butter the popcorn if I do it this way.
Thank you for your ideas here!!
That is a great idea Ruth! I have tried spritzing my kernels with a bit of spray and then using salt and that worked. I would love to hear if you try spritzing the bowl and how that worked out for you.
Fantastic! Light and airy!!
I am so glad you enjoyed Michelle!
What size bowl did you use?
I use a 4 quart microwave safe bowl.
Didn’t pop most of the kernels, popcorn was super dry and not good. I was worried the popped ones would burn but they didn’t.
I’m going back to the stove top method!
Hi Erica! I am sorry you did not enjoy this popcorn. It certainly needs flavored as the post suggests after popping.
I just tried to make your microwave popcorn and by following your instructions to the letter…my Pyrex bowl exploded in 70 seconds in an old week microwave. Thanks a lot.
I am so sorry about your bowl–there are some glass bowls that are not microwave safe. And some microwaves have really high wattage, I wonder if that is the case with a newer microwave. I have never had an issue myself.
You can lower the wattage of most microwaves by using the “power” function. On mine (a 1200 watt microwave), I hit the “power” button to lower the power by 10%, or 120 watts, each time.
Did you seriously just blame her for YOUR using a different bowl? Take ownership and deal.
This was so easy and worked perfectly!
I am so glad you enjoyed!
Thank you! I have (and have loved) one of those Presto poppers but ran out of concentration cups. This worked perfectly and I might just ditch the old thing all together.
YAY! I am so glad you had success! And I love that no fancy tools are needed for this myself 🙂
My kids are obsessed with popcorn and I don’t always want to pull out my whirlypop – these are some great alternatives!
Thanks Andie! This version is super easy.
This is such a great snack! I love how easy it was to make!
Gotta love EASY!!! Glad you enjoyed