The top five best microwave popcorn brands
With so many brands and flavors on the market, how do you choose the best microwave popcorn? Popcorn is one of the most beloved snacks for movie nights, game nights, or just a tasty treat any time of day. Homemade microwave popcorn provides all the delicious popcorn flavor and crunch in the convenience of just a few minutes in the microwave. In this article, we will go over the most popular microwave popcorn brands, their top sellers and key factors to consider when picking your next bag of this tasty snack.
The Rise of Microwave Popcorn
The instant, delicious microwavable popcorn we love today is a surprisingly recent invention. As described in a 1987 New York Times article, this innovative snack food rapidly exploded in popularity over just a few short years in the 1980s.
Before the microwave popcorn craze, popcorn was still a beloved snack, but it took time and effort to make on the stovetop. The popping had to be closely monitored to prevent burning. This tasty treat was reserved for trips to the movie theater or special occasions at home.
Everything changed when microwave ovens became common household appliances in the 1980s. Food companies saw an opportunity to transform stovetop popcorn into a snack people could make effortlessly right inside their microwave.
In 1983, the first year microwave popcorn was available nationally, it generated $53 million in sales. By 1987, just four years later, sales had skyrocketed to $250 million as Americans embraced the convenience of popcorn that could be popped easily and quickly in the microwave.
When microwave ovens became common household appliances in the 1980s, popcorn makers saw an opportunity to create popcorn that could leverage this new technology. Pillsbury was first to market in 1982 with frozen microwave popcorn. However, Orville Redenbacher led the charge in dominating this new market by introducing the first shelf-stable microwave popcorn in 1983.
Redenbacher's early lead was soon challenged as other major food companies like General Mills and Nabisco launched their own microwave popcorn products. Pop Secret, launched by General Mills, caught up to Redenbacher's market share by 1985. As major food brands invested millions into advertising and product development, microwave popcorn grew into a $430 million market by 1990.
While old-fashioned stove-top popcorn remained available, the meteoric rise of microwave popcorn clearly demonstrated Americans' preference for the convenience and ease of popcorn that could be popped effortlessly right inside the microwave oven. In just a few years, microwave popcorn went from a novel idea to a ubiquitous pantry staple.
The Most Popular Microwave Popcorn Brands
Among the numerous brands vying for the top spot in our pantries, a few have emerged as household favorites, offering a range of flavors to suit every palate. Let's delve into some of the most popular and best microwave popcorn brands and their standout products.
Orville Redenbacher's
When you think microwave popcorn, Orville Redenbacher's is likely one of the first brands that comes to mind. As one of the original creators of microwave popcorn, Orville Redenbacher's has found great success with a variety of flavorful popcorn options including movie theater butter, light butter, and gourmet flavors like cheddar and caramel. Their popcorn pops up light and fluffy every time.
Top Picks:
Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Butter - For pure butter flavor, you can't beat Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Butter popcorn. Every bite is drenched in rich, indulgent butter flavoring that transports you right to the movie theater concession stand.
Orville Redenbacher's Tender White - Made with non-GMO white corn kernels and blended for a delicious, gluten-free whole grain snack with no artificial ingredients. An ideal popcorn pick for popcorn lovers seeking the classic great taste and quality Orville Redenbacher's is known for.
Pop Secret
Another top seller, Pop Secret is known for their light popcorn that pops perfectly into a fluffy snack with a crispy bite. They have classic flavors like homestyle and butter as well as indulgent flavors like kettle corn, double butter, and flavor blends like jalapeño and white cheddar. Pop Secret uses non-GMO corn kernels to give snackers the best-tasting microwave popcorn. This makes popcorn a guilt-free and healthy snack perfect for those watching what they eat.
Top Pick:
Pop Secret Homestyle Butter Microwave Popcorn - For classic popcorn flavor with crisp, fluffy kernels, Pop Secret Homestyle is a long-time favorite. This popcorn pops up perfectly in your microwave with a timeless, lightly salted corn taste.
Jolly Time
With a wide selection of flavors including sea salt, white cheddar, and healthier options like Healthy Pop with olive oil, Jolly Time has a microwave popcorn for every taste. Their butter flavored popcorn is made with non-hydrogenated oils and provides a rich, real butter taste that makes your whole house smell amazing.
Top Pick:
Jolly Time Blast O Butter - Jolly Time's Blast O Butter flavor also gets top marks for its incredibly rich, salty buttery flavor. Each kernel pops up super crispy and crunchy with Jolly Time's signature pure butter taste.
SkinnyPop
For a lower-calorie popcorn option, SkinnyPop is a go-to choice. Their popcorn has only 6 ingredients - non-GMO popcorn, sunflower oil, and salt. With only 35-40 calories per cup, this lighter popcorn doesn't compromise on flavor and gives you a perfect snack for 100 calories per bag.
Top Pick:
SkinnyPop Microwave Butter Popcorn - For lighter popcorn, this microwave popcorn is perfectly popped with a light crunch and sprinkle of salt. The flavor is clean and simple to snack on a big batch of popcorn for under 150 calories.
Amish Country Popcorn
For a quality organic option, Amish Country's organic popcorn uses organic and non-GMO corn kernels, and organic expeller pressed oils to create a delicious natural snack. The Sea Salt flavor is a top choice for organic popcorn lovers.
Top Pick:
Amish Country Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn - Made with organic kernels, this popcorn from Amish Country has a naturally delicious flavor enhanced by a touch of sea salt. The fluffy popcorn has great texture without any artificial flavors.
Newman’s Own
When you think of Newman's Own, you likely picture their salad dressings or pasta sauces. But don't overlook their microwave popcorn offerings! Newman's Own has made their mark in the popcorn aisle with their dedication to quality ingredients and charitable giving.
Their microwave popcorn contains whole-grain popcorn popped to airy perfection. Real butter flavor provides a tasty, salty-sweet pop of flavor in every bite. The subtle butteriness doesn't overwhelm your mouth but leaves you reaching for more handfuls. Newman's Own offers a range of flavors beyond original butter, like Sweet and Salty Kettlecorn or Spicy Jalapeño, to please every palate.
What To Look For When Buying the Best Microwave Popcorn
With a plethora of options available, it's essential to know what to look for to ensure you get the most out of your popcorn experience to identify the best microwave popcorn. Here are some key factors to consider:
● Flavor: The fun thing about microwave popcorn is that you can pick from classic butter flavors to sweet and savory blends. Consider if you want the indulgence of extra butter flavoring or lighter options enhanced with sea salt or olive oil. Or explore flavors like white cheddar, caramel, or jalapeño for an adventurous snack. You can also skip the artificial preservatives and pour actual butter on your plain popcorn for the ultimate snacking experience.
● Calorie count: Microwave popcorn can range from about 35 calories per cup on the lighter side to 60+ calories for more indulgent buttery flavors. Decide if you want a lighter option or if you don't mind a few more calories for extra flavor.
● Ingredients: Many natural snackers recommend checking the ingredient list on your microwave popcorn. Some store brands use artificial flavors and preservatives so opting for options with natural ingredients can give you better flavor without artificial additives.
● Organic: For the highest quality kernels, organic popcorn ensures you are getting non-GMO kernels that was not treated with pesticides or chemicals. Brands like Amish Country Popcorn have quality organic options.
● Bag design: Microwave popcorn relies on the bag expanding properly as the kernels pop. Look for strong bags that have folds on the sides to allow for optimal popping.
● Unpopped kernels: Nothing's worse than finishing your popcorn, only to find a bunch of hard unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag. High-quality popcorn should pop nearly all of the kernels.
● Nutrition: If you are watching calories, fat, or sodium, pay attention to the nutrition label when comparing microwave popcorn options. There can be a big difference between lighter popped popcorn versus more heavily buttered varieties.
Final Thoughts
Microwave popcorn makes enjoying fresh popcorn so quick and convenient. With the variety of flavors and brands available today, it's easy to find popcorn that matches your taste - from extra buttery and indulgent to light and natural. Pop up a batch of your favorite movie theater popcorn without all the fake butter and enjoy right from your own kitchen. So next movie night, game night, or anytime you need a tasty snack, have the best microwave popcorn for a perfect time.
If you are interested in some other butter microwave popcorn brands, check out this article.
If you are looking for more information on hulless popcorn, read more here.
