How to Make Popcorn in the Microwave Oven

Fancy an instant night-time snack? Try making a serving of popcorn in the microwave oven in less than 3 minutes! And what would you need to make this snack? Just some popcorn kernels and a food-grade paper bag will do.

Here’s how:


Basic popcorn

50g popcorn kernel

1 brown paper bag


Method

1. Put the popcorn in the brown paper bag. Fold top over twice and press down on the creased areas to secure the fold; it should not be necessary, but you may use tape to hold the fold secure.
2. Into the microwave oven, place the bag on an overturned microwave-safe bowl (to elevate the package to enable the corn to pop more easily) and cook on Micro Power HIGH for 2 to 5 minutes – stop when the popping slows to about 5 seconds between pops.

Eat plain for an ultra-healthy snack or try one of the variations below.


Butter Popcorn

50g popcorn kernel

15g butter

1/16 tsp salt

1 brown paper bag


Method

1. Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on Micro Power HIGH for 30 seconds or until the butter is melted. Stir in the salt and the popcorn, combine well.
2. Fold a piece of parchment paper into a bag by folding the open ends together several times (ie, make several folds) to secure.
3. Place the popcorn in the bag and fold the top end, again, several times to secure.
4. Into the microwave oven, place the bag on an overturned microwave-safe bowl (to elevate the package to enable the corn to pop more easily) and cook on Micro Power HIGH for 2 to 5 minutes – stop when the popping slows to about 5 seconds between pops.

Caramel Popcorn

1 batch of Basic Popcorn (un-popped kernels removed)

25g butter

50g brown sugar

Large pinch of salt

1 tbsp cream


Method

1. Place the butter, sugar and salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat on Micro Power HIGH for 1 minute, stir, then for another 1 minute or until the mixture boils.
2. Stir in the cream and heat again on Micro Power HIGH for 30 seconds or until the mixture bubbles up and becomes thick.
3. Remove the hot caramel from the oven and quickly stir in the Basic Popcorn (if necessary, pour out everything into a bigger bowl first so that it would be easier to combine).
4. Return the coated popcorn to the microwave-safe bowl, spread them out and heat on Micro Power HIGH for 30 seconds. Wait for the popcorn to cool slightly and the caramel to set before eating.

Notes

• Be careful when first opening the bag with the popcorn in case there is hot steam trapped inside.
• Oil may be used in place of butter in the Butter Popcorn recipe.
• When making the Caramel Popcorn, remember to remove the un-popped corn kernels before mixing in the caramel to avoid them sticking to the popcorn, which will be unpleasant to bite on when eating the popcorn.