Though I’m posting a holiday gift for my Aunt Jean, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t read my (or any other) crafty blog. She’s not into DIY much. Doesn’t cook. Which isn’t a problem for her, she knows how to make reservations and where the best take-out is. But while we were talking snacks over the Thanksgiving holiday, she was telling me about popcorn she’d made for a movie and it wasn’t until she was all comfy and PJ-clad and settled into her movie-watching chair that she realized it was pepper flavored. Which she thought was yeeeeuck. But at the same moment I realized that, just as yeeeeeuck, she was making the microwave popcorn you buy in a store. The kind that can kill you. I had to put a stop to that. Merry Christmas, Aunt Jean, here’s healthier popcorn! Please don’t eat the petrochemical laced stuff anymore, mmmmkay? So this is Aunt Jean’s healthy and still super yummy Microwave Popcorn Kit. And I recommend you make it for people you love too. Because popcorn should be healthy and yummy and not gross. And while this is dangerously close to following a recipe, which Aunt Jean does not do, it’s worth the effort. ‘Cause it’s super yummy. And won’t kill people. Do you have people in your life you’d like to stick around a while? Make them a kit too!
Putting this together is simple and offers lots of customization options. Start with the basics. Download the printable label here.
After printing the label on letter-sized paper, trim it just inside the gray lines. 2 labels will print to a page. The download is free of “Aunt Jean” text so that you can add your own recipient’s name using PicMonkey or a similar program, or you can just use it as is.
Bundle 3-10 paper bags together, wrap the label around and add tape. Fancy tape if you’ve got it. The printable includes the very simple directions– nothing goes in the paper bag but the kernels. After they’re popped, which takes about the same amount of time it would take for the evil kind, you spray or spritz it with olive oil and add salt or flavoring as you like. So easy! So yummy! So not gross!
If you don’t have a 1/4 cup scoop you’re willing to sacrifice, a large condiment cup – the kind dressings are packed in by restaurants – would work.
So simple to put together. And a jar or bag of popcorn will last a lot longer than a box of the evil stuff.
Once you’ve got this down, add salts or flavorings, a pretty bowl or those cutesy popcorn boxes. Or bundle with movies or a Netflix gift subscription or fuzzy comfy movie watching jammies.
Have you already made popcorn this way? If so, share! Back me up, isn’t it yummy?
This is a great idea and would be fun teacher gifts / neighbor gifts too. I’m going to have to try it!
I was just thinking that about neighbor gifts, too! This one definitely has wide appeal.
This is the way I make my popcorn now. Waaay better than the prepackaged plastic double wrapped stuff. Love your label & kit idea! :-)
I never knew you could pop popcorn like this in the microwave! This is so cool! We don’t buy the prepacked stuff, too expensive. But my husband bought me an air popper for my birthday so that’s how we do plain, un-packed, yummy, yummy popcorn.
we totally do our popcorn that way! so much better than the store bought microwave stuff. love the idea of packaging some up for a gift!
I don’t like the weird smell that lingers after you pop the store-bought bags in the microwave; I stopped buying that a long time ago. We use an air-popper, but using a paper bag might be fun too. Just curious, why do you spray it with olive oil after it has popped? Wouldn’t you just put the butter on then?
That is an excellent question! With multiple answers. First, because olive oil is so dang good for you. Add those omega-3’s to the fiber in popcorn and you have a very happy belly. Second, because butter doesn’t pack so well in a kit for gift-giving. And third, even if it did, Aunt Jean doesn’t cook. So since I’m already kinda pushing the envelope here with the directions that kinda look recipe-ish, I wasn’t about to add melting butter. Then Aunt Jean would drop the whole thing. And I want her to eat healthier popcorn. ‘Cause I’m bossy and meddlesome like that. When I make it I do sometimes use a little olive oil and a little butter, but reeeeally, not exaggerating, I was shocked at how good it is with just a little olive oil and salt. Relatedly, I included the spray in the kit, but I use the Misto sprayer myself which is refillable. Aunt Jean wouldn’t go for that ’cause it’s way too not-for-people-who-don’t-cook, but I love it.
This is really interesting! I love the idea of making your own microwaveable popcorn bags. My husband loves popcorn so this would be great for him. Thanks for sharing and all the interesting information. I had no idea the store bought stuff was so bad for you. Pinning this Post for sure!
This is such a great idea!
This is a wonderful idea! I’ve made popcorn this way in the past, but when we were microwave-less for a couple years I bought an oil popper, so I tend to just use that now. My family’s favorite spice blend for popcorn is smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. It tastes a bit bacon-y but much healthier. =) I might make up a jar of that to give with the popcorn kit. =)
I had no idea this was so easy! I love your labels and promptly went out and got supplies to make two gifts for my best girl friends and their families. Makes for a great Family Movie Night package! Thanks for sharing your labels!
I had no idea this was so easy! I love your labels and promptly went out and got supplies to make two gifts for my best girl friends and their families. Makes for a great Family Movie Night package! Thanks for sharing your labels!
What size paper bags?
Lunch sized. If you have one that’s a little larger you could just fold it down to approximate lunch-size!
Thank you. I appreciate the reply and the great idea!
Hey, just read this, Oct. 29-2014.
The link won’t work, could you
send me a new link to get the
printable? Thanks so much.
Carla from Utah
I updated the post, but here it is again Carla! https://www.dropbox.com/s/s2lb5cl1xuxq0ng/crafterhours%20Popcorn%20Kit%20blank%20label.pdf?dl=0
I have popped my corn for years this way, but find if the microwave does not have a turn table my corn does not pop.
D.G. L
Wow, I love this! Thanks for sharing. I never knew you could make your own microwave popcorn in a bag and have been making the evil version for my kids as a snack. I’ll definitely try it soon.
I just use a scoop of popcorn and a little vegetable oil in a big pyrex caserole dish with a lid, works fine and its reusable too
Love that idea! So easy! Why are there so many ways to make popcorn so complicated?!?! (And unhealthy!?!?)