Popcorn is one of America’s most popular snacks as we eat about 16 billion quarts of popcorn each year. This light and delicious snack is commonly associated with movie theaters and sports stadiums. The inventor of modern popcorn was Charles Cretor as he helped create the mobile popcorn cart in the 1880s. Popcorn kernels come from corn, but not the same corn you would eat at dinner. Popcorn comes from a variety of maize and become the popcorn we know and love today.
From microwavable to pre-popped and even movie theater popcorn, there are a variety of popcorn options to choose from. We have gathered the a list of the top 8 most popular vegan popcorn brands, which include:
- Pop Secret Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
- Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Vegan Naturals – Simply Salted
- Newman’s Own Popcorn Vegan Sea Salt Popcorn
- Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Vegan Microwave Popcorn Sea Salt
- Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
- Skinny Pop Vegan Popped Popcorn White Cheddar
- Earth Balance Popped Popcorn Vegan Buttery Flavored Popcorn
- Cinemark Movie Theater
- AMC Movie Theater Plain Popcorn Tub (No Butter)
Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show, as we dig into into the nutritional value of popcorn, non-vegan ingredients to watch out for, and the top 9 most popular vegan popcorn brands. Let’s get started!
Contents
- Is Popcorn Vegan?
- Is Popcorn Healthy?
- Types Of Popcorn
- Microwave Popcorn Brands
- 1. Pop Secret Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
- 2. Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Vegan Naturals – Simply Salted
- 3. Newman’s Own Popcorn Vegan Sea Salt Popcorn
- 4. Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Vegan Microwave Popcorn Sea Salt
- Pre-Popped Popcorn
- 5. Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
- 6. Skinny Pop Vegan Popped Popcorn White Cheddar
- 7. Earth Balance Popped Popcorn Vegan Buttery Flavored Popcorn
- Movie Theater Popcorn
- 8. Cinemark Movie Theater
- 9. AMC Movie Theater Plain Popcorn Tub (No Butter)
- In Conclusion
- Related Questions
Is Popcorn Vegan?
Popcorn, without any toppings, is just corn, which makes it vegan. Not all popcorn is vegan and some variations of popcorn brands are covered in butter or cheese and is no longer vegan and may include animal products, such as cheddar and bacon-flavored. It’s important to note that non-vegan ingredients such as honey, are not listed as non-vegan as it is not an allergen. Always review the ingredients list.
Some vegan popcorn ingredients include corn, oil (palm or sunflower), salt, sucralose, and tocopherols (vitamin E).
Common non-vegan ingredients include cheese, milk powder, bacon flavor, whey, lactose, sodium caseinate, and mono and diglycerides.
Is Popcorn Healthy?
If you don’t add butter and salt and your popcorn snack can be a very healthy snack. It contains fiber, antioxidants, vitamin B, manganese, and magnesium. Eating popcorn can help improve digestion, lower cholesterol and can help manage blood sugar. It contains high levels of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer and help slow down the aging process. The healthiest option to enjoy popcorn is air-popped popcorn that is lightly seasoned because it is low in calories. One cup of air-popped popcorn contains 30 calories and it is popped with oil it is 35 calories.
Types Of Popcorn
There are three common types of popcorn: Microwave, Pre-popped Popcorn and Movie Popcorn. This article reviews the ingredients and nutrition of the 3 types of vegan popcorn and the best brands.
Microwave Popcorn Brands
1. Pop Secret Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
Since 1985, Pop Secret popcorn declares to have been all about golden, fluffy, buttery-tasting goodness. Pop Secret claims Kettle Corn has the old-fashioned sweet and salty taste that continues to be a favorite among popcorn lovers and is 94% Fat-Free.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Palm Oil
- Salt
- Rosemary Extract (For Freshness)
- Sucralose
Nutrition Facts: (Per Tbsp Un-popped, Makes About 3 Cups Popped):
- 130 Calories
- 5g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 12g Total Carbohydrates
- 2g Dietary Fiber
- 0g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 2g Protein
- 75mg Sodium
2. Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Vegan Naturals – Simply Salted
Orville Redenbacher Simply Salted microwave popcorn combines wholesome whole-grain goodness with oil and salt. 0 g trans-fat per serving and no artificial colors.
Ingredients:
- Whole Grain Popping Corn
- Palm Oil
- Salt
- Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E for freshness)
Nutrition Facts (Per 2 Tbsp Un-popped, Makes About 4.5 Cups Popped):
- 170 Calories
- 11g Total Fat
- 5g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 18g Total Carbohydrates
- 3g Dietary Fiber
- 7g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 2g Protein
- 440mg Sodium
3. Newman’s Own Popcorn Vegan Sea Salt Popcorn
Newman’s Own Popcorn claims this is the original Old Style Picture Show popcorn, developed by Col. P.L. “Pops” Newman himself. All natural. No trans fats. All profits to charity. All Profits to Charity: Newman’s Own Foundation continues Paul Newman’s commitment to donate all royalties and after-tax profits from this product for charitable purposes.
Ingredients:
- Whole Grain Popcorn
- Palm Oil
- Sea Salt
- Vitamin E (For Freshness)
Nutrition Facts (Per 3½ cup/30g):
- 150 Calories
- 9g Total Fat
- 4g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 0g Total Carbohydrates
- 3g Dietary Fiber
- 0g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 2g Protein
- 290mg Sodium
4. Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Vegan Microwave Popcorn Sea Salt
Boom Chicka Pop claims no added junk and just popcorn kernels, oil, and sea salt for a 35-calorie-a-cup snack. Non-GMO, Gluten free, no preservatives, Whole grain, 0 g trans-fat per serving and 35 calories per cup popped.
Ingredients:
- Whole Grain Popcorn
- Expeller Pressed Palm Oil
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (Per 2 Tbsp Un-popped, Makes About 4.5 Cups Popped):
- 170 Calories
- 10g Total Fat
- 5g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 20g Total Carbohydrates
- <1g Dietary Fiber
- 0g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 3g Protein
- 250mg Sodium
Pre-Popped Popcorn
5. Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
Angie’s company is owned by a wife and husband team that started popping popcorn in their garage in Mankato, Minnesota. The Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn flavor is made with real, simple ingredients, ingredients you don’t have to scrunch up your face to say – and nothing fake – so all of its ingredients are sourced from nature. 70 calories per cup, Non-GMO, Gluten free, no high-fructose corn syrup, Suitable for vegans, 0g trans-fat per serving and Kosher.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Sunflower Oil
- Cane Sugar
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (Per 2 cups/28g):
- 140 Calories
- 8g Total Fat
- 5g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 18g Total Carbohydrates
- 2g Dietary Fiber
- 8g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 1g Protein
- 110mg Sodium
6. Skinny Pop Vegan Popped Popcorn White Cheddar
Vegan, No Artificial Ingredients, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free, Preservative Free, No Artificial Flavors and Zero Trans Fat.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Sunflower oil
- Natural non-dairy cheddar flavor
- Salt
- Rice flour
- Natural flavor
- Lactic Acid
Nutrition Facts (Per 3½ cup/28g):
- 150 Calories
- 9g Total Fat
- 0g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 15g Total Carbohydrates
- 2g Dietary Fiber
- 0g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 2g Protein
- 160mg Sodium
7. Earth Balance Popped Popcorn Vegan Buttery Flavored Popcorn
All-Natural, Non-GMO, Freshly Popped Popcorn. Buttery Spread Is Naturally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil
- Salt
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 oz):
- 140 Calories
- 9g Total Fat
- 5g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 12g Total Carbohydrates
- 4g Dietary Fiber
- 0g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 2g Protein
- 170mg Sodium
Movie Theater Popcorn
Popped popcorn comes in two shapes: “snowflake” or “mushroom.” Since the “snowflake” shaped popcorn is bigger, movie theaters typically sell that shape. Determining if movie popcorn is vegan is more difficult than with the store-bought brands. To tell if a movie theater’s popcorn is vegan, you can look online on their website or contact the movie theater directly. Common movie theaters that carry vegan popcorn are Cinemark and AMC.
8. Cinemark Movie Theater
Cinemark popcorn is vegan as long as you don’t add butter! According to Cinemark’s website, the canola oil, which Cinemark uses is gluten free, but some individuals with Celiac Disease experience a laxative effect.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Canola Oil
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Large Tub):
- 1,120 Calories
- 63g Total Fat
- 5g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 119g Total Carbohydrates
- 21g Dietary Fiber
- 0g Sugar
- 0g Added Sugars
- 21g Protein
- 1,050mg Sodium
Allergen Info: The popcorn salt that Cinemark uses to pop the corn, could contain dairy.
9. AMC Movie Theater Plain Popcorn Tub (No Butter)
AMC popcorn is vegan and they pop it in coconut oil. Based on AMC’s nutrition information it is gluten-free and vegan. AMC claims to hand-select their own mixture of seeds, leading to a unique blend of kernels that can’t be found anywhere else. AMC declares Perfectly Popcorn popped fresh daily in theatres, creating the perfect bite every time.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Coconut Oil
Nutrition Facts (Plain Popcorn Refillable Tub, 190 fl oz):
- 1090 Calories
- 44g Total Fat
- 5g Saturated Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 132g Total Carbohydrates
- 25g Dietary Fiber
- 1g Sugar
- 1g Added Sugars
- 22g Protein
- 2400mg Sodium
Allergen Info: Contains: soy
In Conclusion
This popular, light and delicious snack in its basic without flavoring is vegan. Once you add additional flavoring of butter, powdered cheese or bacon popcorn is no longer vegan. Always double-check your labels to ensure its vegan. Movie theater popcorn can be vegan too without butter. You can visit movie theater websites or call the theater to make sure it is vegan. Plain popcorn without butter and salt can be a healthy snack providing added fiber, B vitamins and helping with digestion and cancer prevention.
Related Questions
Is Popcorn Gluten-Free?
Yes, popcorn is considered a naturally gluten-free. Be aware of adding seasonings that may not be gluten-free.
So, Is Popcorn Paleo?
Unfortunately, no. Because of its grain status, it’s not typically included in a paleo diet.
What is TBHQ?
TBHQ can help foods increase shelf life and reduce the amount of food waste from food spoilage. TBHQ is added to common snack foods like crackers, chips, donuts, some breads, and popcorn.