How to Make Healthy Microwave Popcorn

Making healthy popcorn at home doesn’t have to be difficult or messy. Put that pan away and turn off the stove. Today, we’re going to make healthy homemade popcorn the easy way – in the microwave!

Growing up the only way I knew to make popcorn was with a little oil and a hot pan on the stove.

While we do still use that method from time to time, it’s so much easier to make popcorn in minutes using the microwave.

Quick and easy snacks are the way to go whenever possible, especially when you’re feeding a bunch of hungry, growing kids.

Initially, we tried store-bought microwave popcorn, but after reading the scary ingredient list of artificial colors and chemicals I began to look for a better way to make microwave popcorn.

After a little experimenting, I finally found it.  All you need is a ¼ cup of popcorn kernels and a lunch-size brown bag.

Homemade Popcorn Microwave Instructions

¼ cup popcorn kernels yield approximately 5 cups popped corn

1. Put ¼ cup of the popcorn kernels in the bag.
2. Fold over the top of the bag 2-3 times and put it folded side down in the microwave.
3. Press the popcorn setting on the microwave.  Let it run until popping slows or microwave finishes.

Cheap, easy, and a little healthier, right?  The best part of this snack is that you can make individual servings and top it differently for everyone. 

If you are prepping ahead for an after-school snack, simply label each bag with your child’s name so it’s ready for them as soon as they get home.

Movie Theater Popcorn

Have you ever wondered how to get that “movie theater” taste on your homemade popcorn? Our at-home secret is ghee!

Also known as clarified butter, Ghee is a great tool to have in your kitchen arsenal.  It can be used for cooking at higher temperatures due to it's high smoke point, often replacing oil.

What makes clarified butter different than the sticks we keep in the refrigerator is the process in which it is made.  

Butter is heated, allowing the water to evaporate, and the milk fat to separate. The thick delicious butter you have left is ghee.

At room temperature Ghee is in a more solid state, but when heated turns to a beautiful, golden liquid.

The rich, nutty flavor of the clarified butter takes your homemade snack to a whole new level when drizzled over top and tossed with a bit of salt.

Popcorn Toppings

Ghee, butter, salt… you know the traditional toppings but if you are looking for something new, try one of these flavors on top of your next batch of homemade popcorn.

• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Chocolate & Coconut
• Garlic Powder
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Rosemary
• Chocolate Chips or White Chocolate
• Cinnamon & Honey

Which homemade popcorn flavor combination will you try first?