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 ½ 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, there are now warnings 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
- ¼-1/2 popcorn kernels
Instructions
- Pour in ½ 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.
- Spray the popcorn with a cooking spray or toss with melted butter. Toss with salt.
Notes
- Be sure to use a bowl and plate that are heat safe.
- The glass bowl method makes two servings of homemade popcorn.Â
- Of course, you can use a special bowl designed for popcorn in the microwave, but I just use a glass bowl.
Nutrition
DB
Worked great!
Ina
this is a great suggestion, thank you! I am using for very many years an old air popper, which produces delicious and perfect popcorn, but I always think it would be nice to reduce the amount of small appliances in my tiny kitchen/storage room. THIS is it! Using a 2.5 qt Pyrex bowl with a heavy white dinner plate on top, filling in 1/4 cup of kernels - well...that's just enough for greedy ME, lol. My first try was 6 minutes on highest settings (900W), and after 5-5 1/2 minutes the bowl was filled and it almost completely had stopped popping. No burnt kernels, only maybe 1/2 tlblspoon kernels were not popped. Then put a sprinkle of oil, some salt, and Nutritional Yeast, mix. Thank you again. WARNING, though! The bowl was INCREDIBLY hot, either put it onto a folded towel, or fill it into another bowl. Nevertheless, I enjoyed having the warm bowl resting in my lap on a cold winter evening. (: