Best Healthy Popcorn Recipes » LeelaLicious (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest popcorn to make? ›

Air popped popcorn uses no oil, meaning it has the fewest calories. “Popping it in oil, however, is a great way to consume a healthy portion of fat to control hunger,” Jeffers says. Not only can you manage serving size, but you can also make it in under 10 minutes in most cases.

For the healthiest results, pop your corn in an air popper or in the microwave. If using the microwave, put 1/4 cup of kernels in a paper bag, fold the top over twice, and microwave on high for about two minutes, or until the popping slows to about two seconds between pops.

Coconut oil is an excellent healthy alternative to butter because it contains lauric acid. This type of medium-chain fatty acid has cardio-protective qualities. Pour coconut oil over your popcorn as a topping substitute for butter. Or, you can use coconut oil for popping the popcorn if you like crispy popcorn kernels.

Eating popcorn every night is generally not a problem, as long as it is consumed in moderation and prepared in a healthy manner. However, it's important to consider the nutritional content and portion sizes. Plain air-popped or lightly salted popcorn can be a good low-calorie snack option.

Popcorn is a healthy snack when it's air-popped and served without ingredients high in fat, salt, or sugar. Popcorn is high in important nutrients, including fiber. Popcorn is one of the world's healthiest and most popular snack foods. It is loaded with important nutrients and offers a variety of health benefits.

Worst: Lance's Movie Theater Butter Popcorn

"With 11 grams of fat 2.5 cups serving, Lance's Movie Theater Butter Popcorn is on the unhealthier side when it comes to bagged popcorn," says Megan Huff, RD, LD, Cardiac ICU Dietitian.

Oil: I've always used coconut oil for this recipe, which gives it a super-subtly-sweet undertone that everyone always comments on and loves. But avocado oil, olive oil, or safflower oil are good alternatives too.

Our number one best oil for popping popcorn is coconut oil. With a 350°F smoke point, coconut oil heats just enough to make crunchy popcorn. It's vegan, gluten-free, and rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Coconut oil also gives your popcorn a rich depth of flavor, enhancing any topping or seasoning you add.

Then there's the nutritional comparison. Depending on how much oil you use, making your popcorn on the stove should save you a few calories compared to the microwave stuff. Plus, unlike with Pop Secret, you're not forced to make a whole bag's worth (and subsequently eat it in its entirety, because you're only human).

Why do you soak popcorn in water? ›

To make your popcorn pop better, try soaking the kernels in a bowl of water for 10 minutes and then draining them. Then, pop the kernels as usual. The extra moisture added to the kernels helps produce larger and fluffier popcorn. Another option is to keep the lid ajar if you're popping your popcorn on the stove.

Use a dry rub. If you don't want to use a pre-made seasoning mix, you can make your own dry rub. Simply mix together your favorite spices and herbs, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Back to the snack aisle, pre-popped popcorn is an example of a food that's somewhat processed but not to the point of being ultra-processed — making it a healthier option when you're looking for something to snack on between meals.

When it's air-popped and lightly seasoned, popcorn is an efficiently healthy snack. That's because it is a whole grain, and high-fiber whole grains have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and other health problems.

Given its name, a consumer might well think that SkinnyPop is lower in calories and fat, but it actually contains more of both than the other four popcorns have. On its website the company defines "skinny" not as diet-friendly but as "using the fewest, cleanest and simplest ingredients possible."

Nutritional Value

Approximately 31 calories and 1.2 grams of fiber are found in one cup of air-popped white popcorn, while 35 calories and 1 gram of fiber are found in one cup of air-popped yellow popcorn. Both varieties of popcorn are regarded as nutritious treats despite these minor variations.

Microwave Popcorn sold in those pouches contain the popcorn kernels, plus fats/oils, salt, artificial flavorings, artificial coloring, and preservatives. Plain hot-air popped popcorn is therefore, much healthier than microwave popcorn.