If you want to stock up on popcorn and control how much fat you add, plain popcorn kernels are a good option. You’ll need to prepare them yourself, and the fat content of the dry kernels doesn’t reflect that of the finished popcorn if you add oil. Microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn save time, but compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the specific product you’re considering.
You make popcorn regularly and want to choose how much oil and which seasoning to use. A larger pack of plain popcorn kernels could be a good fit, provided they’re practical to prepare as part of your everyday routine.
For you, quick preparation without measuring ingredients is the priority. The oil or fat and other ingredients in microwave popcorn are already set by the recipe, so it’s worth checking the details on the specific pack.
You want popcorn you can enjoy without preparing it. With sweet varieties in particular, look at the sugar content and the portion you’ll actually eat, as well as the fat content.
A good fit if: You make popcorn regularly and want to control how much oil you add.
Things to consider: You’ll need a suitable way to prepare them, and adding oil will change the nutritional values of the finished snack.
A good fit if: Pre-portioned bags and quick preparation matter more to you than choosing the recipe yourself.
Things to consider: The ingredients are already set, and you’ll need to follow the cooking and opening instructions on the bag.
A good fit if: You want to enjoy popcorn without preparing it.
Things to consider: With sweet varieties, the sugar content may be more important to your choice, even if the fat content is lower.
| Factor | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added fat | Compare fat per 100 g and the ingredients. If you’re buying plain kernels, remember to factor in the oil you’ll use to prepare them. | When I make popcorn myself, I want to decide how much oil to add. Around 50% of consumers put this control first. |
| Pack size | Match the pack size to how much you use and how you can store it. Only compare quantities across products in the same format. | My household eats popcorn regularly, but I need to be able to store the pack sensibly until we use it. For around 30% of consumers, having enough in stock is the top priority. |
| Preparation time | Choose between microwave bags and ready-to-eat popcorn. For both, check fat and sugar per 100 g. | I want to prepare a portion quickly or eat it straight away, and I’m happy to go with a set recipe. This convenience is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the nutritional information at REWE, Yörem popcorn kernels contain 0.7 g of fat per 100 g, while Seeberger salted microwave popcorn contains 16 g per 100 g. The first figure is for kernels before you prepare them; the second is for a differently formulated product.
Compare specific varieties per 100 g, and remember to account for any oil you add when preparing kernels yourself.
XOX lists 57 g of sugar per 100 g for its sweet popcorn, while Chio lists 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Ready Made Popcorn Süß. Fat alone doesn’t give you a complete picture of these products.
For sweet varieties, check the sugar and energy per 100 g too, and take your portion size into account.
Plain popcorn kernels need to be prepared before you can eat them. If you use oil, the fat content of the finished popcorn will also depend on how much you add.
Before you buy, consider whether you’ll regularly prepare the kernels in a pan, a popcorn maker or a suitable microwave-safe container.
Cooking times and microwave power settings for microwave popcorn vary by product. Hot steam may escape when you open the bag.
Follow the instructions on the individual bag and open it carefully, pointing it away from your body.
Seeberger sells popcorn kernels in 500-g packs, as well as microwave popcorn. The manufacturer says the kernels are also available in bundles of 6 and 12.
The range we looked at includes popcorn kernels, sweet microwave popcorn and sweet ready-to-eat popcorn.
Chio Ready Made Popcorn Süß is a ready-to-eat variety in a 120-g pack.
The sweet variety we looked at is microwave popcorn in a 300-g pack.
These products are suitable if you want to make your own popcorn. Check the pack size of each variety before buying to see whether it’s right for your needs, and remember to factor in any oil you add when assessing the nutritional values of the finished popcorn.
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Popcorn kernels for preparing at home, so you can control how much oil you add.
Check the pack size of the specific variety before you buy: the product information lists different quantities. If you prepare the popcorn with oil, the fat content of the finished snack will also depend on how much you add.
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A good option if you want to make your own popcorn and choose the seasoning.
Check the pack size before you buy: the quantities in the title and product description differ. The suggested preparation method uses oil, which affects the nutritional values of the finished popcorn.
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Popcorn kernels for households that want to prepare and season their own popcorn.
Check the pack size: the title and product description list different total quantities. If you use oil to prepare the popcorn, remember to account for the amount you add as well as the nutritional information for the kernels.
Compare the fat content per 100 g for the specific variety and check its ingredients. With plain popcorn kernels, how much oil you use to prepare them also matters. If you’re buying a multipack, make sure the quantity suits how much you use.
Not necessarily. It depends on the recipe for the microwave product and how much oil you use when cooking popcorn in a pan. REWE lists 13 g of fat per 100 g for the sweet REWE Beste Wahl variety; the figure on a pack of dry popcorn kernels doesn’t include any oil you add yourself.
No. Compare the sugar and energy per 100 g as well, and consider how much you plan to eat. XOX lists 57 g of sugar per 100 g for its sweet ready-to-eat popcorn, while Chio lists 52 g per 100 g for Ready Made Popcorn Süß.
Follow the microwave power and cooking time instructions on the individual bag. After heating, open it carefully and point it away from your body, as hot steam may escape.