Let’s make some homemade microwave popcorn! This recipe is incredibly quick and easy, with just a few ingredients (though really, you only need one!). Plus, it’s much healthier than store-bought packs.

Warm, fresh popcorn is one of my favorite “go-to” healthy snacks. It’s light, low-calorie, and satisfies those crunchy, salty cravings. You can whip it up in a pot on the stove, but it’s even easier (like ridiculously easy) in the microwave.

The best part of homemade microwave popcorn is knowing you don’t have any funky additives, as you would with store-bought microwave popcorn. It’s just natural, freshly popped kernels. And with a pinch of salt and drizzle of butter, I guarantee this will be the only way you make popcorn in the future!

Microwave Popcorn – Just a Few Ingredients!

Technically, you only need corn kernels to make popcorn. But with a little oil, salt, and butter, it makes it taste 10x better.

• Popcorn Kernels: Any variety will work here, but I highly recommend organic popcorn as corn is one of the most prolific GMO and sprayed crops.
• Oil: Both olive or avocado oil work for this recipe. And yes, you can even make it without oil…read more below!
• Salt and Butter: These ingredients are of course optional, but boy do they turn a simple bowl of popcorn into an extra tasty one! Bonus – I’ve got a few more creative flavor ideas down below.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

3 Ways to Make Microwave Popcorn

Most recipes call for using a paper bag to make microwave popcorn. But I’ve tested two other ways that create perfectly popped results every time. For all of these methods, I mix the kernels with just a tiny amount of oil first. Here are your options:

In a Paper Bag

Add the popcorn kernels to a paper bag and fold over the the top twice. Microwave for about 3 to 4 minutes, stopping when you hear a few seconds between pops. Then, remove the bag from the oven.

In a Stasher Bag

Add the popcorn kernels to a large upright Stasher Bag and close the bag. Microwave for about 3 to 4 minutes, stopping when you hear a few seconds between pops. Then, remove the bag from the oven.

In a Glass Bowl

Add the popcorn kernels to a medium to large glass bowl and place a ceramic dinner plate on top of the bowl to act as a lid. Microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, then stop when you hear a few seconds between pops.

Carefully remove the bowl from the oven (it will be hot), remove the plate, and let the bowl cool to the touch before diving in.

Add Some Fun Flavors To Your Popcorn

Butter and salt is my go-to seasoning, but the world is your oyster when it comes to flavoring up a bowl of popcorn!

• Make it sweet: Add a dash of cinnamon and sugar, or drizzle it with a bit of honey and butter.
• Bump up the savoriness: Can’t beat a garlic parmesan combo! Just add a sprinkle of garlic powder and parmesan cheese.
• Give it a spiced kick: Along with salt and butter, add a pinch of cayenne powder or chili powder for a bold, spiced flavor
• Add a hint of spicy tang: For my chili lime lovers, add a dash of chili powder with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Ways To Store Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn is undoubtedly best when it’s fresh. But if you happened to pop a bit too much, you can store it an air-tight container or sealable bag. It will keep for 1-2 weeks. But here’s a few extra tips to make sure your popcorn stays fresh.

• Let the popcorn cool completely before storing away. Otherwise it will become soggy since you’re trapping in moisture from the heat.
• Don’t add any butter, salt, or flavorings as it can make the popcorn a bit softer. Store it plain, then add any toppings before serving again!

More Healthy Snack Ideas

Got a craving for the munchies? Here are a few more nibbles that will satisfy your hunger.

If you make this microwave popcorn, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Microwave Popcorn – 3 Easy Ways!

Homemade microwave popcorn is a healthy snack that’s quick and easy. You can make it in a paper bag, Stasher Bag or glass bowl!

• In a small bowl, mix the popcorn kernels with the oil, so that they all have a light coating of oil.

In A Bag

• If microwaving the popcorn in a paper bag: add the popcorn kernels to a paper bag and fold over the the top twice. Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes (depending on the wattage of your microwave), stopping when you hear a few seconds between pops. Remove the bag from the oven (it will be hot), and pour the popcorn into a bowl.

In A Stasher Bag

• If microwaving the popcorn in a Stasher bag: add the popcorn kernels to a large upright Stasher Bag and close the bag. Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes (depending on the wattage of your microwave), stopping when you hear a few seconds between pops. Remove the bag from the oven (it will be hot), and pour the popcorn into a bowl.

In A Glass Bowl

• If microwaving the popcorn in a glass bowl: add the popcorn kernels to a medium to large glass bowl and place a ceramic dinner plate on top of the bowl to act as a lid. Microwave for 3 to 5 minutes (depending on the wattage of your microwave), stopping when you hear a few seconds between pops. Remove the bowl from the oven (it will be very hot), remove the plate, and let the bowl cool to the touch before enjoying.

• Optional: you can sprinkle kosher salt and drizzle butter on top of the popcorn before serving.

• If you opt to use a Stasher Bag, it really is best to use a large, upright bag versus a sandwich bag. The latter is just not big enough for all the popcorn once it pops.

Calories: 41kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 28mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

This article was originally published by downshiftology.com. Read the original article here.

Planning your next movie night? This easy stovetop popcorn recipe is exactly what you need! Crispy and flavorful, it’s an irresistible salty snack.

What’s a good movie night without a bowl of freshly popped popcorn?! With the Oscars coming up this weekend, I thought I’d share a recipe for the stovetop popcorn that Jack and I love to make at home.

Heads up – this stuff is seriously addictive. Salty, crunchy, and tossed with a savory sprinkle of nutritional yeast, it’ll ruin you for bagged popcorn forever. It’s crispier, it’s more flavorful, and it’s so simple to make that buying pre-popped popcorn is hardly easier. Seriously! You’re just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes away from a delectable salty snack.

How to Make Popcorn on the Stove

To make popcorn on the stove, you’ll start with 2 basic ingredients:

• Popcorn kernels – Any variety! Shoutout to Kite String Cantina in Chicago for these gorgeous red kernels.
• And sunflower oil – Or any neutral oil with a high smoking point. Avocado oil or safflower oil would work nicely too.

Last but not least, you’ll need a large pot or skillet with a lid. Let’s cook!

Starting by warming the cooking oil over medium heat. Add a few of the corn kernels. As soon as they start to pop, add the rest of the kernels and remove the pan from the heat for 30 seconds. This step gently brings all the kernels to the same temperature.

Partially cover the pan and return it to the heat. At this point, the kernels should be popping steadily. As they do, shake the pan continuously to avoid burning. While you work, keep the pan partially covered to allow some of the steam inside to escape. Too much steam in the pan will make the popcorn soggy.

When the popping slows down, transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. Season it up (read on for my seasoning suggestions…), and enjoy!

Stovetop Popcorn Seasoning Suggestions

The secret to great stovetop popcorn? Great seasoning! These ingredients are my go-to topping:

• Melted butter – For rich, buttery flavor. If you’re vegan, substitute vegan butter.
• Sea salt – If you’re using vegan butter, start with less (or no) salt and add more to taste. Most vegan butter is already salted, so you may not need to add much.
• And nutritional yeast – For cheesy, savory flavor. If your nooch has large flakes, you may want to pulse it in a blender or food processor before tossing it with the popcorn. This step is totally optional, but it will help the nooch coat the popcorn more evenly.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below. 

Drizzle the popcorn with the melted butter…

And toss it with the nooch and salt! Is anyone else getting hungry?

Of course, there are tons more seasoning options out there, so have fun experimenting! Replace the nooch with a few tablespoons of za’atar or everything bagel seasoning, or spice up your popcorn with a sprinkle of cayenne or Old Bay. You can’t go wrong with plain ol’ salt and butter either!

More Favorite Salty Snacks

If you love this recipe, try one of these tasty snacks next:

Stovetop Popcorn

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Serves 4

Learn how to make perfect homemade popcorn on the stove! Crispy and flavorful, it’s a delicious snack. Gluten-free.

• ¼ cup sunflower oil, or any neutral oil
• ½ cup popcorn kernels

Seasoning

• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ⅓ cup nutritional yeast flakes, optional*

• In a large pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add a few of the corn kernels. As soon as they start to pop, add the rest of the kernels and remove the pot from the heat for 30 seconds, so that all the kernels gently come to the same temperature.

• Put the pot back on the heat with the lid on, but just partially off center, venting so that some of the steam can escape. (Too much steam can make the popcorn soggy.) Shake the pan as the popcorn pops so that it doesn’t burn on the bottom. Once the popping slows down, transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.

• Drizzle the butter over the popcorn, sprinkle with salt, and toss. Add the nutritional yeast flakes, if desired.

*For a less flaky coating, pulse the nutritional yeast flakes in a blender until powdery before tossing with the popcorn.

This article was originally published by loveandlemons.com. Read the original article here.