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Tips to making your own microwave popcorn

Popcorn is a beloved snack enjoyed by all ages! It’s crunchy, satisfying, and perfect for movie nights or midday cravings. While store-bought microwave popcorn is convenient, making your own at home is not only easy but also healthier and customisable to your taste buds. It also takes the stress away of scrubbing popcorn burnt pots, and that is something we can all surely do without.

There’s a simple, DIY way to make your own microwave popcorn at home for the next time you have a craving and realise you haven’t bought any from the store.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of high-quality popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (canola oil, olive oil and avocado oil are great options)
  • Salt or seasoning of your choice (optional)
  • 1 Brown paper bag

Instructions:

1. Prepare the bag: Take a brown paper lunch bag, the kind you’d use to carry your sandwich to work or school. Make sure it’s clean and free of any tears or holes.

2. Add ingredients: Pour the popcorn kernels into the bag. Follow up with the vegetable oil. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different oils like coconut or avocado for a unique flavour.

3. Fold and seal: Fold the top of the bag over twice to seal it shut. Make sure the fold is tight to prevent any kernels from escaping during the popping process.

4. Shake it up: Give the bag a good shake to evenly distribute the oil over the kernels. This ensures that each kernel gets coated, resulting in a more consistent popping experience.

5. Microwave: Place the sealed bag upright in the microwave. Set the microwave on high for around 2-3 minutes, or until there are about 2 seconds between each pop. Be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

6. Season to taste: Once the popping slows down, carefully remove the bag from the microwave. Open it up and season your popcorn with salt or any other seasoning of your choice. You could try nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour, cinnamon, and sugar for a sweet treat, or even chilli powder for some heat.

Compiled by Maegan – Leigh Jacobs

Also see: B-well launches exciting, free back-to-school cookbook with over 25 recipes

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