How Long Do You Microwave Popcorn Bowl?
Popcorn is a popular snack food that can be prepared conveniently in the microwave.The Best Microwave Popcorn: A Blind Taste Test. When cooked properly in the microwave, popcorn can be a tasty and satisfying snack with a light and crunchy texture.
Microwave Popcorn Basics
Microwave popcorn comes in convenient bags that are specifically designed for popping popcorn in the microwave. The bags have a lining that contains oil and flavoring. When the bag is heated in the microwave, the kernels absorb the oil and water vapor builds up pressure inside until the kernels eventually pop (1). The popcorn bags are folded or wrapped in a certain way so that the steam can escape and the popcorn doesn’t get soggy.
You can also pop loose popcorn kernels in a microwave-safe bowl. This requires adding vegetable oil or melted butter to the bottom of the bowl before adding the kernels. When popping loose kernels, it’s important to listen for the popping to slow down to know when the popcorn is finished. The leftover unpopped kernels are called old maids.
Both microwave popcorn bags and loose kernels require some source of oil or fat for the kernels to pop. The oil allows the water in the kernel to turn to steam, building up pressure inside until the hull bursts (2). So whether using a bag or bowl, popcorn won’t properly pop without a little fat.
Sources:
(1) https://www.uakron.edu/polymer/agpa-k12outreach/professional-development-modules/the-science-of-microwave-popcorn
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_popcorn
Choosing a Microwave Popcorn Bowl
When choosing a microwave popcorn bowl, the material is very important. Ceramic, glass, or silicone bowls work best for popping microwave popcorn. Materials like ceramic and glass can withstand the high heat needed to pop popcorn kernels thoroughly. According to one Reddit user, “Try a glass of ceramic bowl. The popcorn and oil get too hot for most plastics.” Ceramic and glass bowls distribute heat evenly, preventing burnt spots.
You’ll want to avoid using metal bowls in the microwave. Metals can spark, catch fire, or get too hot in the microwave. As noted on East Fork’s website, their ceramic popcorn bowl is lead-free and microwave safe.
Silicone can also be a good microwave popcorn bowl option. Silicone is flexible, lightweight, and heat resistant. Just make sure any silicone you use is rated as microwave-safe. Novelty Place offers a BPA-free and microwave safe popcorn bowl made from food-grade silicone.
The key is choosing a material like ceramic, glass, or silicone that can withstand high heat and distribute it evenly. Avoid metals which can cause fires or get dangerously hot. This ensures your popcorn pops safely and thoroughly.
Popcorn Bowl Size
When microwaving popcorn, it’s important to choose a bowl that is the right size. Using a bowl that is too small can cause kernels to overflow or the popcorn to burn. On the other hand, an oversized bowl results in wasted space and less efficient popping.
For personal use, a good rule of thumb is to use a bowl that can hold 3-4 quarts. This size allows enough room for the kernels to pop fully with some extra space left over. Larger bowls are preferred because they allow more kernels to pop at one time compared to smaller bowls. More popping room leads to more popped popcorn in each batch.
Some examples of suitable 3-4 quart microwave popcorn bowls are the Popontheblock Stainless Steel Popcorn Bowl and the Ecolution Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper. Both options are designed to hold a standard microwave bag of popcorn with a little extra space.
Preparing the Kernels
The key to evenly popped microwave popcorn is making sure the kernels are spread out in an even single layer before cooking. This allows the microwaves to hit each kernel evenly for optimal popping.
Start by measuring out the amount of popcorn kernels you want to use. For a standard large mixing bowl around 3 quarts in size, 1/2 cup of kernels is a good amount. Spread the kernels in the bowl so they lay flat in a single layer, avoiding any overlaps or piles.
Next, lightly coat the kernels with some cooking oil. For a 3 quart bowl, just 1-2 teaspoons of oil is sufficient. Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil all work well. Use a pastry brush or spoon to evenly distribute just a thin coating on each kernel.
The small amount of oil helps the kernels pop up fluffy while also adding some flavor. Don’t use too much oil or the popcorn may get greasy.
Microwaving Time
When microwaving popcorn in a bowl, it’s best to start with 2-3 minutes on high power. The exact cooking time can vary based on several factors, including the wattage of your microwave, the amount of kernels used, and the size/material of the bowl.
According to Downshiftology, microwave the popcorn for 2 to 4 minutes, stopping when you hear a few seconds between pops. Family Food on the Table recommends microwaving for 5-6 minutes on high in a covered bowl, listening carefully and stopping when there’s a 2 second gap between pops.
The key is to listen as it pops and adjust the cooking time as needed. Popping will start slowly at first and then speed up – once the time between pops starts to lengthen again, it’s a sign the popcorn is nearing the end of the microwaving time needed.
Removing the bowl from the microwave promptly once popping slows prevents burnt and overcooked popcorn.
Removing from Microwave
When the popcorn has finished popping, the bowl will be extremely hot, so it’s important to exercise caution when removing it from the microwave. According to the Salbree website, their popcorn bowls come with handles designed for removing the hot bowl directly from the microwave without needing oven mitts (https://salbree.com/products/salbree-microwave-popcorn-popper-blue). For bowls without handles, carefully grasp the bowl with oven mitts or potholders to avoid burns. Quickly yet cautiously transport the steaming hot bowl to a cleared countertop or other surface for dumping. Have a serving bowl ready nearby to immediately dump the finished popcorn into for serving. This helps stop the cooking process so the popcorn doesn’t get overdone.
Avoiding Burnt Popcorn
One of the biggest mistakes people make when microwaving popcorn is overcooking it. This results in popcorn that is burnt and unpleasantly crunchy. There are a few key tips to avoid burnt microwave popcorn:
Don’t overcook – Be sure to stop the microwave when the popping slows down to just 2 or 3 seconds between pops. According to the Microwave Cooking for One by Marie T. Smith, once the popping slows down, the moisture left in the bowl will be just enough to finish popping the last few kernels. Overcooking at this point will scorch the already popped kernels.1
Allow even kernel coverage – When preparing your popcorn bowl, make sure the kernels are spread out evenly so they cook uniformly. Clumping can lead to uneven cooking and burning. The Popcorn Board recommends gently shaking the bowl as the popcorn pops to circulate the kernels.2
Listen and watch carefully – Stay by the microwave and listen for the popping to slow down. Also keep your eye on the bowl to watch for any signs of scorching. This hands-on approach will allow you to catch the popcorn at just the right moment.
Following these tips will help you perfectly microwave popcorn every time without any of the dreaded burning.
Flavoring Microwaved Popcorn
Once the popcorn has finished popping, it’s time to add flavorings and seasoning. Let the popcorn cool for 2-3 minutes before seasoning so it doesn’t get soggy. Then open the bag or bowl and add your desired flavors.
Some popular seasoning options include:
- Melted butter – This classic topping adds richness. Melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the popcorn.
- Salt – Sprinkle lightly with table salt or flavored sea salts.
- Spices – Chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin add savory depth of flavor.
- Herbs – Dried oregano, basil, or parsley give a fresh herbal taste.
- Sweet flavors – Cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Other creative options – Grated parmesan, nutritional yeast, sesame seeds, ranch seasoning, etc.
Feel free to experiment with spice blends and your favorite flavors to create your ideal popcorn seasoning!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you don’t finish all of the popcorn in one sitting, make sure to let it cool completely before storing it. Hot popcorn will create condensation in an airtight container, leading to soggy popcorn.
Once cooled, transfer leftover popcorn to an airtight container or bag. This will help keep it fresh and crunchy for up to a few days. Popcorn staleness is caused by moisture loss, so maintaining an airtight seal is key.
To reheat, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in short 10-15 second bursts, stirring between each one. This gradual reheating process prevents the popcorn from burning or becoming chewy. Monitor closely and stop when the popcorn is warm and crispy again, usually taking 1-2 minutes total. Be careful not to overheat as this can toughen the texture.
With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy microwave popcorn again and again without compromising on taste and texture.
