Make and season it yourself
You want to decide for yourself how much oil, salt or sugar to add to your popcorn, and have time to make it in a pan or a suitable appliance.
Which preparation method suits you?
Make a quick snack during the holidays
You want to make hot popcorn with very little preparation for a film or rainy day, and have a microwave available.
Compare pack information carefully
You want to check the ingredients, potential allergens and nutritional information, rather than guessing what is in the recipe from the flavour or preparation method.
What to look for when buying
First, decide whether you want to control what you add yourself or use a ready-to-cook microwave bag. Then compare the nutritional information for similar products. With loose kernels, the preparation method also affects the finished popcorn.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and preparation | Compare fat per 100 g within the same product type; with loose kernels, remember to factor in the oil used for preparation. | If I want to control how much fat I add, I’m happy to put in the extra effort to prepare it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise having this control. |
| Preparation time | For microwave bags, check the wattage and cooking instructions; for loose kernels, make sure you have a suitable appliance. | On a busy day during the holidays, I want a snack that’s ready without a lot of preparation. For around 29% of consumers, ease of preparation comes first. |
| Sweet or savoury | For similar varieties, compare sugar or salt per 100 g rather than relying on the flavour description alone. | I want a particular flavour, but I also want to know what’s already in the seasoning. Taste is the main reason for buying for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Check the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the specific pack. | If I need to watch out for particular ingredients, I check the pack carefully before choosing. For around 14% of consumers, this is a priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming homemade means “low fat”
Loose popcorn kernels let you choose how much oil to use, but they aren’t automatically “low fat”. The Verbraucherzentrale says that solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry this claim; Seeberger popcorn kernels listed by REWE contain 3.8 g per 100 g before preparation.
Use the figure on the pack as a starting point, and remember to account for any oil you actually add when preparing the popcorn.
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Choosing microwave popcorn based on flavour alone
Sweet and savoury bags also differ in their recipes. According to REWE, its REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn contains 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g; for Seeberger’s savoury product, REWE lists 16 g of fat and 1.8 g of salt per 100 g.
Before choosing a variety, compare similar microwave products by their fat, sugar and salt content per 100 g.
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Not checking the pack when you shop
The specific pack is the key source of information about ingredients, allergens and nutritional values. The Verbraucherzentrale explains which details on packaged foods can help guide your choice.
Before buying, read the ingredients list, allergen information, nutritional details and preparation instructions on the pack.
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Opening a hot microwave bag carelessly
Hot steam can escape when you open the bag. Microwave bags also vary in their recommended wattage and cooking time.
Follow the instructions on your chosen pack and open the bag carefully, facing away from your body.
Brands to compare
Seeberger
REWE stocks both loose Seeberger popcorn kernels and savoury microwave popcorn. The product type makes a big difference if you want to control the fat content.
- With loose kernels, you can choose how much oil and seasoning to use; REWE lists 3.8 g of fat and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g before preparation.
- The savoury microwave product is already seasoned and, according to REWE, contains 16 g of fat and 1.8 g of salt per 100 g.
REWE Beste Wahl
Sweet microwave popcorn is an example of a bagged option for when you fancy something sweet and want to keep preparation to a minimum.
- REWE gives a cooking time of around 1.5 to 4 minutes, depending on the microwave’s power.
- According to REWE, the product contains 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g; sugar and palm fat are already part of the recipe.
GUT&GÜNSTIG
EDEKA’s own-brand savoury microwave popcorn is another example of a pre-seasoned bagged option.
- EDEKA says to prepare the popcorn in its microwave bag at 650 to 1,000 watts.
- EDEKA’s product information lists 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g. If you mainly want to control how much fat you add, you can’t measure it out yourself with a bag like this.
Popcorn kernels at Joybuy
These popcorn kernels are a good fit if you want to choose how to prepare and season them. Whether the finished portion meets your expectations also depends on how much oil and seasoning you use.
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Seeberger popcorn kernels
For anyone who wants to make their own popcorn and choose how to season it.
REWE lists 3.8 g of fat per 100 g of unprepared Seeberger popcorn kernels. If you prepare them with oil, the fat content of the finished portion will be higher.
Check the pack size before buying: the product information lists both 500 g and 10 × 500 g. If necessary, also read the allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Are loose popcorn kernels automatically “low fat”?
No. The Verbraucherzentrale says that solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry the “low fat” claim. Seeberger popcorn kernels listed by REWE contain 3.8 g of fat per 100 g before preparation; any oil used to cook them adds to this.
Can I prepare popcorn kernels in an air fryer?
That depends on whether your appliance is suitable. EDEKA’s recipe uses 2 tsp of oil for 120 g of popcorn kernels and recommends cooking small amounts in a single layer. Also follow your appliance’s instructions, and remember that the oil and any seasoning you add later will affect the finished portion.
What should I look out for with microwave popcorn?
Follow the wattage and cooking time on the pack, and open the hot bag carefully. REWE also notes that its savoury Seeberger microwave popcorn is not suitable for children under three or for people with swallowing difficulties.
Which details on the pack are useful for comparing products?
For similar popcorn products, compare the nutritional information for fat, sugar and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergen information. The Nutri-Score, explained by the Bundeszentrum für Ernährung, can offer an additional point of reference when comparing similar foods, but it doesn’t replace checking the individual values.