If you want to control how much fat you add
When you make popcorn yourself for film night, you can measure out the oil and seasoning. The fat value on a pack of popcorn kernels applies to the kernels, not the prepared popcorn.
Which option suits you?
If you want a snack you can enjoy straight away
Ready-to-eat popcorn saves preparation time. Before buying, compare the nutritional information for the specific variety per 100 g, rather than choosing based only on the product format.
If you’re weighing up sweet and salty varieties
If sugar or salt matters to you as well as fat content, check the full nutrition table. This lets you compare varieties on the same basis before choosing a pack size.
What to look for when buying
First decide whether you want to prepare popcorn yourself or enjoy a snack with little preparation. Then compare the information for the varieties that suit your preference.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added fat | For popcorn kernels, consider the fat value per 100 g separately from the amount of oil or toppings you plan to add. | If I’m making popcorn myself, I want to decide how much fat to add. For around 42% of consumers, having this control is the main priority. |
| Preparation time | Choose between ready-to-eat and microwave popcorn; for the latter, read the preparation instructions. | I want to have a snack ready quickly for the film, even if I have less control over its recipe. Around 33% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Other nutritional values | Compare energy, fat, sugar and salt on the same basis per 100 g. | With sweet or salty popcorn, I don’t want to decide based on fat alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise comparing the other nutritional values. |
Common comparison mistakes
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Looking only at the fat value
Less fat doesn’t automatically mean less energy, as Verbraucherzentrale NRW explains when comparing savoury snacks. For example, EDEKA lists GUT&GÜNSTIG sweet popcorn as containing 4.5 g fat and 30 g sugar per 100 g.
For the specific variety, compare fat, energy, sugar and salt per 100 g.
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Assuming the value for popcorn kernels applies to the finished snack
REWE lists Müller's Mühle popcorn kernels as containing 3.3 g fat per 100 g. This value applies before preparation; it doesn’t include any oil or butter you add.
Allow for oil and toppings separately. If you’re using hot air, check that the recipe is suitable for your appliance.
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Treating all microwave popcorn as the same
Sweet and salty microwave varieties can have different recipes. You can’t tell their fat, sugar or salt content from the preparation method alone.
Read the nutritional information and preparation instructions on the specific pack you’re thinking of buying.
Brands to help guide your choice
Müller's Mühle
Popcorn kernels to prepare and season yourself.
- REWE lists Müller's Mühle popcorn kernels as containing 3.3 g fat and 10 g fibre per 100 g.
- These values apply to the kernels before preparation. REWE’s recommended method for cooking them in a pan uses hot oil.
GUT&GÜNSTIG
Ready-to-eat sweet popcorn for film night, with no preparation needed.
- EDEKA lists GUT&GÜNSTIG sweet popcorn as containing 4.5 g fat per 100 g.
- For the same variety, EDEKA lists 30 g sugar per 100 g. The fat value alone doesn’t tell you everything about its nutritional content.
REWE Beste Wahl
A supermarket own-brand option for microwave popcorn.
- REWE lists REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn in a 300-g pack.
- When choosing based on fat, sugar or salt, check the nutrition table for the specific variety rather than relying on the microwave format alone.
Popcorn kernels at Joybuy
These popcorn kernels are suitable if you want to make your own snack for film night and control how much oil and seasoning you add.
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Alnatura Organic Popcorn Kernels, 500 g
If you want to make your own popcorn, you can control how much oil and seasoning you add.
Pack size: 500 g. If you prepare the popcorn with oil, the nutritional values of the finished snack will change. For other preparation methods, check that your appliance is suitable. If you have allergies, always follow the information on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does less fat in popcorn automatically mean less energy?
No. When comparing savoury snacks, Verbraucherzentrale NRW points out that a lower fat content doesn’t automatically mean a proportionately lower energy content. Compare both values per 100 g, and check the sugar content of sweet varieties too.
Which type of popcorn lets me control how much fat I add?
With popcorn kernels you prepare yourself, you can measure out any oil and toppings you add. REWE lists Müller's Mühle popcorn kernels as containing 3.3 g fat per 100 g before preparation; this value doesn’t apply to finished popcorn with additional ingredients.
How do I compare popcorn packs of different sizes?
Use the nutritional information per 100 g as a common basis. Compare the energy, fat, sugar and salt content of the specific varieties, then take into account how much you’d like to eat during film night.
Should I compare the salt content of salty popcorn too?
Yes, if salt is important to your choice. Check the salt content per 100 g on the packs of the varieties you’re considering, and bear the portion size in mind too.