Freshly-popped popcorn that’s cooked in high-fat oils, drenched in butter and covered in a sodium-filled seasoning is, unfortunately, a treat. Many popular cooking methods add fat or salt at every level and leave popcorn a greasy mess. However, popcorn doesn’t need to be unhealthy. By air-popping your popcorn, you can cut out harmful ingredients while enjoying your favorite snack.
The good and bad of popcorn
Maya Vadiveloo, an assistant professor of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island, spoke to the American Heart Association about the unhealthy way movie theater popcorn is made and the healthiest way to make it at your home.
“Air-popped would be a good way to prepare popcorn because it gives you some control over the seasonings that you add afterward, how much salt, or how much oil or butter,” Vadiveloo told the American Heart Association.
Air popping lets you control every step of the process, but you don’t have to sacrifice delicious flavor with your fat and oil. There are plenty of delicious ways to enjoy a bowl of air-popped that may even compete with your local theater’s.
FAQ
Q: What are popcorn’s health benefits?
A: The American Heart Association notes how high popcorn is in fiber and polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help with blood circulation and digestion. On its own, popcorn is low in calories and fills you up quicker than fattier, more heavily processed snacks.
Q: Why air-popping?
A: Put simply and obviously, air popping cooks popcorn with hot air that circulates around until it pops. It’s a simple, satisfying way to pop that’s not only easier than cooking it on your stove, but it’s better for you too.
Some air poppers include the bowl, while the classic air popper blows popped kernels through a shaft on the top and into your howl. Don’t want a new appliance? There are plenty of top-notch microwaveable air poppers too.
Q: Why won’t the seasonings stick?
A: Unless you like the flavor of plain popcorn, you’re going to need some help getting the seasoning to stick. A small dab of olive oil, canola oil or avocado oil goes a surprisingly long way in evenly coating the kernels in the bowl.
Remember, while salt is fine in moderation, too much wreaks havoc on your heart. Products such as the Oh My Spice low-sodium, keto-friendly popcorn seasonings have lots of flavor without the salt bombs.
Best products for delicious air-popped popcorn
Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels
You don’t need to go far for delicious popcorn kernels. Orville Redenbacher is a household name for a reason, and with 8 pounds of yellow popcorn kernels in a secure container, you’ll have plenty to experiment with.
Great Northern Organic Popcorn
The Great Northern Popcorn Company is another giant in the industry. This 7-pound jug of organic popcorn is free of genetically modified organisms and the harmful pesticides and chemicals often found in other brands.
Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Hot Air Popper
This air popper lets you appreciate your Orville Redenbacher popcorn in its purest form. It’s as easy as measuring and pouring your kernels and plugging the machine in for less than three minutes.
Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop
This 3-quart microwaveable air popper is made from temperature-safe borosilicate glass that withstands the violent pops within. The round pot with a vented top that doubles as a butter melter circulates the air, preventing sticking and burning.
Joseph Joseph Microwave Popcorn Popper
This single-serving, heat-resistant silicone cup’s pop-in lid protects your microwave and pops back open when the popcorn is done. It’s a two-pack that will feed both you and your partner, and they can be washed in the dishwasher when you’re done.
Oh My Spice Zesty Ranch Seasoning
Oh My Spice’s low sodium seasonings, such as the delicious Zesty Ranch, are shockingly flavorful with just 2% of your daily recommended sodium. There are no carbs, sugar or calories in this spice blend, which is part of a line of similarly healthy flavors.
Dutchman’s Popcorn Coconut Oil
Coconut oil may not eliminate fat and calories altogether, but this one makes a fine alternative with all-natural ingredients and no harmful trans fats. Even better, it tastes like movie theater butter without the guilt or cost.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
