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There used to be a time in which popcorn was something to enjoy only while at the cinema, or at the theatre, or at the circus…or any other place of entertainment in which they have the big popcorn-making machines. But nowadays, many people prefer to enjoy popcorn in the comfort of their homes, sitting back to watch a movie, or even just as a snack if you love it that much. And that is made possible, majorly, by microwave popcorn.
Microwave popcorn can be found in almost all grocery stores, and it usually comes as a pack of three. To make it, the trick is in the name: the microwave. You simply put one of the popcorn bags in the microwave, set the timer to around three minutes or so, and watch as the popcorn kernels pop and slowly inflate the bag!
Perfect and delicious popcorn, just for you, in three minutes. Easy, convenient, and perfect for pijama movie nights.
But…what if you don’t have popcorn? Or what if you have a microwave, but it is currently out of order and unable to be used? Is there still a way to make your microwave popcorn?
Luckily, there is, and we’ll tell you all about it. Let’s get right into it!
What is Microwave Popcorn?
Okay, first of all, let’s clarify exactly what microwave popcorn is. Is it different from normal popcorn? And if so, how?
Well, put simply, microwave popcorn is essentially just dried unpopped popcorn, within an enhanced sealed paper bag, designed to be heated within a microwave oven. However, it’s not just the dried corn.
As a general rule, microwave popcorn also includes some cooking oil, with enough saturated fat so that it is solidified when at room temperature. There is also then usually some salt, and either natural or artificial flavorings (sometimes both at the same time!)
There are many different brands and types of microwave popcorn, some with unique blends of seasoning and flavor, so that customers can ultimately choose their favorite.
So the only difference between microwave popcorn, and other normal popcorn, is that it comes in a bag designed to be heated in the microwave, and that it already has the cooking oil and the seasonings, added within the bag, so that the corns can actually cook and pop when heated, with a nice-tasting result.
Can You Cook Microwave Popcorn Without a Microwave?
Now, back to the important matter at hand, making microwave popcorn without a microwave. Is this even possible? After all, microwave popcorn is specifically designed so that it is made in a microwave, with the special microwave-safe bag designed to heat up, containing the cooking oil and the seasoning.
Well, microwave popcorn is just corn, with cooking oil and seasoning added inside a bag. It’s just like any other regular popcorn really, and the only thing making it specific to the microwave, is the microwave-safe bag it comes in.
So if you don’t have a microwave, or your microwave just so happens to not be working, you can simply open the bag, empty the microwave popcorn, and cook it using other means.
Or in other words: yes, you can absolutely cook microwave popcorn without a microwave!
Ways of Making Microwave Popcorn Without a Microwave
We have already said that you can indeed make microwave popcorn, even without the use of a microwave. So the question now is: how?
There are three main ways in which you can make microwave popcorn without a microwave: on the stove, in an oven or toaster oven, and in a popcorn maker.
Just so that you know exactly how to go about each method, we’re going to go more into detail, and provide you with some instructions for all three!
On the stove
This is the most common way to make popcorn when not using a microwave, and it is very easy and quick. Plus, all you will need is a medium to large pot, with a lid!
Here are the instructions:
Start by opening the microwave popcorn bag, and emptying it into the pot you are going to use. Scoop every last bit of corn, along with the oil and the seasoning. Then, place the lid on the pot.
If you feel as though a little more oil is needed, add an extra tablespoon or so of cooking oil into the pot. (We recommend doing this if you’re unsure).
Put the heat on medium to high, on the stove. And place the pot on top.
Every 10 to 15 seconds, lift the pot and shake it a bit, then place it back down. This will help the popcorn cook evenly.
You should soon start hearing the corns pop. Wait until the popping has slowed down (until there are several seconds between pops), then remove the pot from the heat, and you’re done!
In An Oven or Oven Toaster
Many people think it’s not possible to make popcorn in the oven, especially because the popcorn would go everywhere when popping. But fear not, there is a method! The trick is to put the popcorn inside a pouch, made out of aluminum foil, and to add the cooking oil into it.
You can then cook the popcorn by turning up the oven heat to around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The process will be a little slower than with the microwave or stove, but the popcorn should be done in between 8 to 15 minutes, give or take.
In a Popcorn Maker
Another way in which popcorn has become accessible to everyday life at home, is through the manufacturing of small and convenient popcorn maker machines. These are small, perfect for storing in the kitchen, and ideal for making a few servings of popcorn.
They work by placing the corns inside, along with some cooking oil and seasoning of your choice, and the machine does the rest. So…they’re the same as microwave popcorn, with the only difference being that microwave popcorn comes in a bag intended for use in the microwave.
This means that you can very easily scoop the contents of the microwave popcorn bag, into the popcorn maker, and use it as normal. Easy and fast! Just make sure to double check the specifications of your popcorn maker, as there are different types, and not all of them will be compatible with corns that already have the cooking oil and seasoning added on.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t have a microwave, or you do but it’s out of order, but you’re really craving some popcorn, there’s a solution. Simply make your microwave popcorn without a microwave! It might sound impossible, but there are actually three main methods that you can use as an alternative: cooking the popcorn on the stove, in the oven, or with the use of a popcorn maker!
