Do you love popping popcorn at home? It’s a fun and easy way to enjoy a snack, and if you do it right, it can be pretty healthy too. But what if you want to make a lot of popcorn – is it possible to microwave two or more bags of popcorn at the same time?
Can You Microwave Multiple Bags of Popcorn At The Same Time?
Technically, you can microwave multiple bags of popcorn all at once, but it might not be the best idea.
Most microwaves do not have enough space for two bags of popcorn to expand enough at the same time, so you’ll end up with a lot of unpopped kernels.
Even if your microwave does have enough space, you need to take into account that different bags of popcorn pop at different rates. You can end up with some burnt popcorn if you are not careful.
For this reason, I don’t suggest microwaving multiple bags of popcorn at the same time. It’s much better to pop one bag at a time.
How To Pop Store-Bought Popcorn In The Microwave
Different brands of popcorn have different cooking times and methods. So before you try to make your own popcorn, take a few minutes to read the instructions that come with the package.
In general, here are the most common ways to microwave store-bought popcorn.
- Take the popcorn bag out of the plastic overwrap.
- Place the bag in the microwave with the correct side up. Refer to the package of the correct way to place your bag of popcorn in the microwave.
- Set the microwave power on high and set the timer according to the instructions. Most microwave popcorn usually takes 3 to 4 minutes to finish popping.
- Listen for the popping to get slower and slower. When the popping slows to two or three seconds between pops, you can turn off your microwave right away to prevent overcooking or burning the popcorn. You don’t have to wait until the microwave turns itself off.
- Carefully remove the bag from the microwave.
How To Make Homemade Popcorn In The Microwave Using a Paper Bag
I just love the smell of freshly popped popcorn, and it is one of my guilty pleasures. Making microwave popcorn at home is a very simple process, and I never fail to make good popcorn with this method every time.
It’s so much healthier than store-bought microwaveable bags that always feel so greasy to me and also cost much less. Plus, it’s a fun DIY project that I can do with my children.
All you need is a brown paper lunch bag and some popcorn kernels.
However, I must warn you, if this is the first time you try this out, you’ll want to watch your popcorn very closely as burning can happen a little quicker with brown paper bags than with the store-bought version because of the greasy coating on those bags.
Believe me, as I speak from experience, the last thing you want is burnt popcorn. It can leave a smell that lasts for a long time in your microwave.
Here’s how I do it:
1. Pour Kernels Into The Brown Paper Bag
Pour the kernels directly into the brown paper bag. There’s no need to add anything else to the bag.
If you just want to make a snack-size serving of popcorn for yourself, 1/4 cup of kernels should be enough.
If you are going to share it with your boyfriend or girlfriend while watching a movie, you’ll want to use 1/3 cup. Use 1/2 cup of kernels if you want a good-sized portion for three.
After pouring the kernels into your brown paper bag, you can then add any salt, butter, or other seasonings in the amount that feels right to you. Or you can just eat the plain popcorn if this is your preference.
2. Close The Bag
The next step is to seal the bag closed. The bag needs to be sealed tightly to prevent the kernels from spilling. To do this, you just need to fold the top of the bag twice.
3. Pop The Popcorn
The last step is to put the bag in the microwave and heat it on high for 2 to 3 minutes. The exact timing will vary depending on how powerful your microwave is, the type of kernels you use, and how many kernels are in the bag.
The most important thing to do here is to keep an ear open to the popping sound of kernels and watch your microwave carefully.
Once the popping has slowed down significantly, with just a few seconds between popping, you’ll want to turn the microwave off. Let the bag sit in the microwave for a few minutes to allow it to cool down before opening.
That’s it! You are now ready to enjoy your freshly made batch of homemade microwave popcorn.
Is It Safe To Pop Popcorn In a Brown Paper Bag?
Many people may feel concerned about putting the brown paper bag in a microwave since it can’t withstand a lot of heat and may cause a fire.
The answer is yes; it is safe to pop popcorn in a brown paper bag. However, you’ll want to watch it closely so that it doesn’t burn. If this is your first time making popcorn this way, I recommend starting with shorter cooking times and working your way up.
What Can I Add To Paper Bag Popcorn?
You can view your freshly homemade popcorn as a blank slate for toppings and flavors for your taste buds to experience. Experimenting with different flavors and toppings is part of the fun, and the limit is your imagination.
Butter and salt are the standby toppings, of course, but there’s no reason why you can’t go beyond that. For example, if you and your kids have a sweet tooth, you can try adding cinnamon and sugar instead.
Or what about trying exotic and exciting flavors like nacho flavoring or gingerbread? Who knows, once you taste those flavors, you might find yourself hooked and appoint them as your new go-to flavors of popcorn.
Can You Reuse Microwave Popcorn Bags?
You can use the same brown paper bag two to three times, providing you don’t add any oil.
While it’s unnecessary, some people like to add oil to make the popcorn fluffier and extract extra flavor. In this case, it’s best to use a new bag for the second batch of popcorn.
Final Thoughts
It’s recommended to cook only one bag at a time, so the kernels don’t overheat and pop randomly.
Making your own microwave popcorn is not just great for saving money. It’s also great fun because you get to be creative with your flavors. Not to mention it’s much healthier than store-bought bags of microwave popcorn.
All you need are some kernels, a brown paper bag, and your microwave oven. And in a few minutes, you’ll find yourself relaxing enjoying a fresh batch of homemade popcorn while watching your favorite movie or TV show.
