The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Popcorn: Finding the Perfect Plant-Based Snack
Movies and popcorn are synonymous with each other. But for those who choose to live a vegan lifestyle, the traditional buttery popcorn you find in movie theaters usually isn't an option due to the use of dairy products and animal products. The good news is that plenty of vegan popcorn options, both store-bought brands and homemade varieties, are available. This article highlights some of the best vegan popcorn options for your next movie night while ensuring they're tasty and healthy.
Store-Bought Vegan Popcorn Brands
Popcorn lovers looking for vegan-friendly snacks have various delicious choices on the market. Let's explore more exciting options to stock up on for your next snacking adventure.
Skinny Pop
Among the different popcorn brands, Skinny Pop stands out as a go-to for those on a vegan diet. This brand offers a variety of popcorn flavors, and its original recipe is free from dairy ingredients and animal products. Skinny Pop uses sunflower oil, a good Vitamin E source. Another benefit is the absence of milk powder and other non-vegan ingredients in the ingredient list.
Orville Redenbacher
Despite being a traditional popcorn brand, Orville Redenbacher offers vegan options in their line of products. Their original microwave popcorn is vegan, but reading the ingredients list and allergen warning is essential to ensure you're choosing a vegan option. Note that Orville Redenbacher does use palm oil, which some vegans choose to avoid due to environmental concerns.
Smartfood
Smartfood offers a variety of popcorn flavors, but only their Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Smartfood Popcorn is entirely devoid of non-vegan ingredients. Their other popcorn varieties contain either milk products or other non-vegan ingredients. Therefore, vegans must scrutinize the product label carefully when considering Smartfood popcorn.
Angie's Boom Chicka Pop
Angie's Boom Chicka Pop has managed to create popcorn that is not only vegan but also gluten-free, Non-GMO, and Kosher certified. They utilize natural ingredients like sea salt, sunflower oil, and cane sugar in their vegan options, which include Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn, Sea Salt Popcorn, Light Kettle Corn, Sweet Barbeque Popcorn, Salted Caramel Popcorn, and Chili Lime Flavored Popcorn. These varieties offer a unique blend of savory and sweet flavors that many vegans can appreciate.
Making Your Own Vegan Popcorn
Sometimes, the best vegan popcorn is the one you make at home. Not only does homemade popcorn let you control the ingredients, but it's also a fun activity for a movie night.
Air-popped Popcorn
The health benefits of air-popped popcorn are undeniable. This type of popcorn is whole grain and has fewer calories than pre-popped popcorn or microwave popcorn brands. You'll need an air-popper and some plain popcorn kernels to make this.
After your kernels pop, you can season them in a large bowl with your favorite vegan flavors. Nutritional yeast, or "nooch," is a popular choice as it offers a cheesy flavor without any dairy. You can also try drizzling nutrient-packed olive oil for a simple and delicious seasoning.
Stovetop Popcorn
If you don't have an air popper, you can also make your own popcorn on the stovetop. You'll need a large pot and some type of oil. Coconut oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil are great choices. Heat your pot over medium-high heat, add a few kernels, and add the remaining popcorn kernels when they pop.
Shake the pot occasionally to ensure the bottom of the pan doesn't burn your popcorn. Once the popping slows, remove it from heat and let it sit until you hear no more popping. You can then transfer your popcorn to a large bowl and add your favorite vegan toppings.
Watch out For These non-vegan Ingredients in Popcorn
Although popcorn is a great vegan-friendly snack in its most natural form, many store-bought and pre-popped popcorn varieties contain non-vegan ingredients. If you're living a vegan lifestyle, being mindful of these elements is essential. Let's explore some of the common non-vegan ingredients you might find in commercial popcorn products.
1. Real Butter and Dairy Products: Butter is a common ingredient in many popcorn brands, especially those trying to replicate movie theater popcorn's rich, creamy flavor. However, traditional butter is made from milk, an animal product, and therefore not suitable for a vegan diet. The same goes for dairy products like cheese or milk powder, often in flavored popcorn.
2. Palm Oil: While palm oil is technically a plant-derived product, many vegans avoid it due to the environmental impact of its production. Palm oil production often leads to deforestation and habitat destruction, posing significant threats to many animal species.
3. Artificial Colors: Artificial colors are usually synthetically made, which means they don't contain animal products. However, these colors are often tested on animals, which goes against the ethical views of many within the vegan community.
4. Sucralose: Sucralose is a synthetic sweetener that doesn't derive from plants or animals. However, like artificial colors, it has a history of being tested on animals, making it a contentious ingredient for vegans.
Vegan Popcorn Recipes
When it comes to vegan popcorn, the options are endless. From sweet to savory, spicy to cheesy, there are countless recipes that you can whip up in no time. Let's explore some of the best vegan popcorn recipes you can try at home, which taste delicious and are completely free from animal products. Ready to pop some corn? Let's get started!
Sweet Popcorn
If you love kettle corn or caramel popcorn, don't worry! There are vegan versions of these sweet popcorn treats. One option is to use maple syrup instead of caramel sauce. Drizzle the syrup over your popped popcorn and stir to evenly distribute. For kettle corn you can just use sugar. You can also sprinkle some sea salt for that perfect sweet-salty combo.
For vegan caramel popcorn, you can make your caramel sauce using coconut oil, brown sugar, and a bit of baking soda. Here’s a recipe on It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken.
Savory Popcorn
For a savory twist, try making chili and "nooch" popcorn. Coat your popcorn with nutritional yeast, chili powder, and sea salt. Or, for a more Italian-inspired flavor, sprinkle your popcorn with vegan parmesan cheese and olive oil. You can also use nutritional yeast which provides vitamins and a nice cheesy flavor.
Finding the Best Vegan Popcorn for You
Whether buying a bag from your local grocery store or making your own microwave popcorn, the key to finding the best vegan popcorn is to read the nutritional information and ingredient lists. Look for natural flavors, avoid hidden dairy products, and, when possible, choose unflavored popcorn as your base.
There's a vegan popcorn option, no matter what types of popcorn you prefer or whether you like it cooked in an air popper or on the stovetop. So, the next time you settle down for a movie night, you can enjoy it with a bowl of vegan popcorn, knowing that you're making a good choice for yourself and the planet.
In conclusion, the best vegan popcorn is the one that satisfies your cravings without compromising your vegan lifestyle. Be it the brands we listed or your own popcorn made with nutritional yeast and coconut oil, there are plenty of ways to enjoy popcorn in its natural form while adhering to a vegan diet. From sweet caramel popcorn to savory nooch popcorn, the world of vegan popcorn is a delicious and exciting one to explore. Enjoy your next movie night with a bowl of the best vegan popcorn, and remember, the only bad popcorn is burnt popcorn!
