Ditch The Bag! Here's How To Microwave Popcorn In A Bowl

Although it may be most commonly enjoyed in a movie theater, popcorn can make for a great snack to munch on for an at-home movie night, too. The treat can be cooked on the stovetop, but if you're craving something that's a little lower in effort, the microwave can come in handy to whip up a quick snack.

While most grocery stores do sell microwaveable bags of popcorn that can be ready in minutes, or bags of the snack pre-popped and pre-seasoned, it can be even cheaper to grab a canister of un-popped kernels instead. And fortunately, there's still a way to cook that up quickly.

To start, all you'll need is a microwave-safe bowl and plate, some un-popped kernels, and a little bit of oil. You'll want to choose a plate and bowl that won't overheat in the microwave, so ceramic or glass options are likely your best choice. 

For every quarter cup of popcorn kernels you want to pop, you'll need to drizzle in a ½ teaspoon of your oil of choice. (Peanut or coconut oil are great options for bringing out the popcorn's nutty flavors.) Mix the oil around to make sure the kernels are evenly coated in the bowl, then place it in the microwave.

You'll then want to cover the bowl with the plate to contain the heat inside and microwave the oily mix on high. But don't wander off — you'll need to listen and wait until there are a few seconds of silence between each pop. Then, remove your bowl from the microwave, and season your inexpensive snack to your liking.

There's technically no real harm in salting your popcorn before placing it in the microwave — just keep in mind that the added salt may cause some uneven heating, and could lead to even more un-popped kernels at the end of the popping process.

One added benefit of popping your own popcorn in a bowl is the complete customization it allows. After your kernels have finished popping, you can pour in any variety of toppings: melted butter, salt, or any choice of seasonings. You can even drizzle some melted chocolate and toss in some candies if you're craving something a little sweeter.

This freedom will allow you to create unique popcorn flavors that you wouldn't otherwise be able to purchase in stores. You can pick up a variety of popcorn-specific seasonings at many grocery stores, or try your favorite seasoning blend instead. But if you want to get really experimental with your popcorn flavors, you could try flavoring it with a little soy sauce, or popping it in smokey bacon fat in place of more standard cooking oil.

The next time you find yourself craving a quick snack, try microwaving your popcorn in a bowl and flavoring it on your own instead of reaching for that pre-buttered bag.