Since this month’s challenge is to have snacks without the plastic packaging, I was trying to figure out simple and quick snacks that would work for this. Turns out there are several ways to make popcorn without using plastic!
Popcorn is a great snack. It’s high in fiber, low in calories (depending on how you make it), and it’s budget friendly. The problem is the plastic packaging.
Not only is there a plastic wrapper for the microwave popcorn, but the bag itself is lined with harmful compounds. And whether you use the microwave bag or a buy a bag of pre-popped popcorn at the store, neither can be recycled or composted.
But here’s the good news!
It turns out, there are 3 ways to make popcorn without using any plastic bags. There’s the stovetop method and 2 ways to make your own plastic-free popcorn bag for the microwave.
Stovetop method
One way is to cook the popcorn on the stovetop. You’ll need a pan with a lid, some oil, and some popcorn kernels. I don’t personally enjoy making popcorn this way so I’m not really going to put much focus on this method. But I’ve included a link to a good tutorial if you’d like to try this method, or if you don’t have a microwave.
For those who prefer the microwave method, you can try these next 2 popcorn methods…
Paper bag method to make popcorn without using plastic
That’s right! You add butter, or oil, and popcorn kernels to a regular paper lunch bag. Then fold it closed, put it in the microwave, and you’ve DIY’ed your own popcorn bag! All without any weird chemicals lining the bag. And while the bag can’t be recycled, it can be composted.
But before you try it, make sure you watch/read a tutorial like the one below so you can get the recommended microwave times and recipes for the DIY bags.
Check out this reusable microwave popcorn bag tutorial – This is my favorite tutorial because they start with a basic popcorn recipe along with emphasizing safety precautions for using the brown paper bag in the microwave. They also have a tip for folding the bag to keep it from opening while the popcorn is popping. Note: I used 1/4 cup popcorn kernels instead of 1/2 cup and the bag was pretty full.
Something to keep in mind about the DIY microwave popcorn bag is that it does make a bit of a mess in the microwave. Regular microwave popcorn bags use a plastic lining (or other chemical compounds) to act as a liquid/oil barrier which the regular brown paper bags don’t have.
Hence, the paper bags will leave oil residue on the microwave plate. But really that’s just a minor inconvenience in order to go plastic-free. Especially when all you need is a cloth napkin or cloth towel under the bag while it’s microwaving for an easy cleanup later.
Here’s what the DIY popcorn bag looks like:
Make a reusable microwave popcorn bag
This is the other version of the DIY microwave popcorn bag that lets you make popcorn without using plastic.
Every month I try to have some sort of craft that will help cut down on plastic waste. And when I was looking up DIY popcorn bags I also found homemade reusable microwave popcorn bags! These popcorn bag patterns are great for beginners. They also look relatively quick to make and can be machine washed.
Here’s the tutorial for the reusable popcorn bag pattern
Those are the 3 ways you can make popcorn without using plastic
I’m looking forward to using all the methods and will definitely be making popcorn from scratch from now on. Especially after learning about the lining of the regular microwave popcorn bags.
Which one is your favorite? Stovetop, paper bag, or reusable fabric popcorn bag? Tell me in the comments below.
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