Which option is right for you?

Housemates keeping an eye on fat

If you want to limit added oil, compare the fat content per 100 g and check the ingredients. Making popcorn yourself lets you decide how much oil to use.

Moving-in helpers without a fully equipped kitchen

If you don’t have a pan or other cooking equipment yet, ready-to-eat popcorn is ready to enjoy straight away. Microwave popcorn is only an option if you have a working microwave.

House-share shoppers planning a film night

If you’re buying for several people, consider the pack size and how the popcorn is prepared. When choosing a variety, though, the nutrition information matters more than the size of the bag.

What should you look for when buying?

Popcorn kernels

A good choice if: You have suitable cookware and want to control the amount of oil and seasoning yourself.

The trade-off: It takes time to prepare, and any extra ingredients will change the nutrition of the finished portion.

Ready-to-eat popcorn

A good choice if: You don’t have access to cooking facilities yet.

The trade-off: The recipe is fixed. A lower fat content alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar or salt it contains.

Microwave popcorn

A good choice if: You have a working microwave and want to make fresh popcorn.

The trade-off: The bag needs to be suitable for your appliance, and the set recipe gives you little control over the amount of oil.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Fat and ingredients Compare fat per 100 g across similar products, and check the ingredients and sugar too. If I want to limit added oil, I want to control how much I use or compare the information on the packs. For around 42% of consumers, keeping an eye on fat is the main priority.
Equipment you have Before buying, check whether you can use a pan or microwave. If you’re buying microwave popcorn, follow the preparation instructions. If there isn’t a suitable appliance when I move in, I need popcorn I can eat straight away. Being ready to enjoy is the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Pack size Match the net weight and any individual portions to the number of people you’re planning for. For a film night with housemates, I want to make sure there’s enough without simply choosing the biggest pack. Portion planning is the priority for around 25% of consumers.

Avoid common buying mistakes

  • Assuming “popped” means low in fat

    The preparation method alone doesn’t determine the fat content. EDEKA lists 21 g of fat per 100 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn.

    Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and check the ingredients list rather than relying on the product name alone.

  • Looking only at the fat content of sweet popcorn

    EDEKA lists 4,5 g of fat and 30 g of sugar per 100 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG sweet popcorn. So a lower fat content doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains.

    Check all the values that matter to you on the pack.

  • Buying microwave popcorn before checking your appliance

    If you don’t have a working microwave, this type of popcorn won’t be suitable for moving-in day.

    Before you shop, check that your house-share microwave works and follow the preparation instructions on the bag you choose.

  • Relying on online information instead of the pack in front of you

    EDEKA notes that online product information may differ from the details on the packaging.

    When you buy, check the ingredients, nutrition information, allergens and net weight on the pack if they’re important to your decision.

Brands and retailers to consider

REWE / REWE Beste Wahl

REWE stocks popcorn kernels, microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat options. Its range lets you compare formats, but it doesn’t support a general claim about fat content.

  • You can compare several preparation methods.
  • Your decision should be based on the fat content of each individual product.

GUT&GÜNSTIG / EDEKA

EDEKA shows why it’s important to compare products individually: it lists 4,5 g of fat and 30 g of sugar per 100 g for sweet popcorn, and 21 g of fat and 2,5 g of salt per 100 g for salted microwave popcorn.

  • Specific nutrition and ingredient information makes it easier to compare products.
  • The information on the pack you buy is what counts.

Lidl

Lidl explains how to make popcorn from kernels with oil and seasoning. This gives you an idea of how to prepare popcorn, but it isn’t nutrition information for a finished popcorn product.

  • When you make it yourself, you can decide how much oil to add.
  • You’ll need a suitable appliance and cookware.

ALDI / SUN SNACKS

ALDI Nord stocks SUN SNACKS as its own-brand snack range and explains how Nutri-Score complements the nutrition table. When choosing popcorn, the information for each individual product is still what matters.

  • If available, Nutri-Score can help you compare products in the same category.
  • It doesn’t replace checking fat, sugar and salt per 100 g.

Lorenz

Lorenz describes Naturals Leicht fein gesalzen as potato crisps. Despite the association with lower-fat snacks, this product isn’t popcorn.

  • You can clearly distinguish product categories when comparing snack descriptions.
  • Information about potato crisps can’t be applied to popcorn.

funny-frisch

funny-frisch offers popchips as a popped snack. However, popchips aren’t popcorn products.

  • The word “popped” doesn’t necessarily mean popcorn.
  • Comparing them with regular crisps won’t tell you how much fat popcorn contains.

Popcorn kernels for making your own

These popcorn kernels are a good fit if you want to control the amount of oil and seasoning yourself. When comparing them with ready-to-eat popcorn, bear in mind that adding ingredients will change the nutrition of the finished portion.

Alnatura Organic Popping Corn Kernels, 500 g

Alnatura Organic Popping Corn Kernels, 500 g

Ideal for house-share evenings when you want to make your own popcorn and control how much oil you add. The pack contains 500 g of popcorn kernels; you’ll need suitable cookware to prepare them. The fat content of the finished portion also depends on any other ingredients you add.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is the label “low fat” enough to help me choose?

Also compare the fat content per 100 g on the specific pack. The Verbraucherzentrale sets a limit of no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g for the claim “low fat” on solid foods; this doesn’t tell you about sugar, salt or ingredients.

Is microwave popcorn automatically lower in fat?

No, the preparation method alone doesn’t tell you that. EDEKA lists 21 g of fat per 100 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn, so check the information on the bag you’re thinking of buying.

How does popcorn kernels help you control the amount of oil?

When you use popcorn kernels, you decide how much oil to add during preparation. The fat content of the finished popcorn also depends on the oil, butter and any other ingredients you use; you’ll need suitable cookware too.

Which details on the pack are useful for comparing products?

Compare fat and any other nutrition values that matter to you per 100 g, and read the ingredients list. Also check the net weight and allergens on the specific pack, especially if you’re buying for several housemates.

What does “less fat” on a snack product tell you about popcorn?

A claim like this about crisps or other snacks can’t be applied to popcorn. When comparing two popcorn products, check their fat content per 100 g and the basis for each claim.