No more smelly processed popcorn for me! You can make your very own homemade microwave popcorn that tastes better, is very healthy + natural, and will save you money.
Doing the math, microwave popcorn on average costs around $1.89 for a 3-pack (which breaks down to $3.53 per lb.). On sale I have seen it go for as low as $1.00 for a 3-pack (which breaks down to $1.48 lb.) Both of these prices are too high! At Winco you can get popcorn in the bulk bin for .69 per pound. It is easy to see that the cost of the bulk + makin your own homemade will save you money.
Plus have you read the ingredients on your processed popcorn? Ewwww… listen to this ingredients list on Act II: Popcorn, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Annatto Color. Contains: Fish, Milk.Ewww…fish? In my popcorn? Plus Hydrogenated soybean oil…not so healthy. So I will be making my own delicious homemade variety.
Here is how to make your own homemade microwave popcorn. First just go and get yourself some brown paper lunch bags. These will run you around $1-$2 for 100 bags. Then add about 1/3 cup of popcorn to the bag. Fold the bag over 2 times.
Then just add to the microwave and cook! I just pushed the popcorn button on mine (takes 2-3 minutes), but I just hang around and listen for the popping to slow.
Then guess what? Its all done! You can add all kinds of flavors to your popcorn. Olive oil and a little salt are healthy choices…or go ahead and add some melted butter + salt if you are feeling naughty.
Other toppings to add:
Parmesan Cheese + salt
Cinnamon + Sugar
Chili powder + hot sauce + salt
On a diet? Spray I can’t believe it’s not butter spray
What kind of flavors do you put on your Popcorn?
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Becky M. says
OK, I just finally tried this, and I am SO impressed! Thanks a million for this great tip!
Tonja says
just made some…while we are camping in the RV…definitely beats the pre-packaged Jiffy Pop and other micro brands…plus, everyone gets their own bag and can season it however they want. Thanks for yet another fabulous money-saving, health-boosting tip!
Karrie says
You are so welcome!
Apryl says
A little bit of salt and coconut oil is a beautiful combo on popcorn!
Chrystal says
Trina – Just try a lesser amount of pop corn. I had this problem the first time too but found it was because there was too much pop corn being made at one time and the middle gets really hot. Cut back to 1/4 cup of pop corn seeds and go from there.
Another great idea with the pop corn is if you have a smart phone download the Redbox Codes app and you can rent a free movie while you’re at it! I have used 3 of the Verified codes so far and have gotten all three movies for free!
Trina says
I’ve tried this twice in the past, and it’s always burned in the middle, and I don’t think I let it go too long. Any ideas?
Tiffany C says
Very Cool! I’m trying this one 🙂 At our house, I use a little butter with honey and cinnamon. Delish! Thanks for the tip!
Lora says
Have you read the ingredients in “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”?? Pretty scary as well!
Great tip for popping popcorn! Thanks!!
Hannah VW says
We use garlic powder and butter/olive oil for a topping.
Carla says
This is an awesome tip! I used to make my own popcorn on the stove, but loved the ease of the micro. The micro won, but not any more! I can’t wait to try this. Molly McButter is another good, diet friendly option.
Becky says
I love this.. thank you so much.. Great for after school snack without ALL the HO’s..(Hydrogenated oils..)
Lisa L says
That’s all you have to do??? No burning? No smelling up the house? I’m in!
Adriana says
I can’t wait to try it!!! I love putting nacho cheese flavor on mine
Karrie says
You know what else is cool about this? You can recycle brown paper!! Great for the environment. (Because I think that the microwave ones have like aluminum or somthing in them to help with even popping..don’t they?)
Heather says
Love it! Best thrifty tip yet… can’t wait to try this!
Erica Hettwer says
Brilliant! I love not having to haul out our old, huge, inefficient popcorn maker anymore!
Serah says
Thanks for the awesome tip! One way I make my popcorn extra healthy is by adding a tablespoon (or two!) of flaxseed oil…super yummy!
NaDell says
I did this right after I read the blog and it works! Yea! I love not having to add something else to the grocery list, especially since my kids can easily polish off a bag of popcorn in a half hour (and still think they need more.)
I already had a giant bag of popcorn kernels that I bought when I got married from Costco. It is almost ten years old, but still works and tastes great. Thank you for sharing this!
Angela says
Lovin’ this thrifty tip! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Tressa says
This looks AWESOME!! I am going to try it ASAP!! Thank you
Mandy says
Awesome, who knew?! I will definitely be doing this going forward. Thanks!