Popcorn

Popcorn is a beloved snack made from dried corn kernels that expand and puff up when heated. It's typically prepared with oil and salt, but can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet or savory seasonings. This ancient snack originated in the Americas and has been enjoyed for thousands of years.

🍳 View the full Popcorn recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Plain air-popped popcorn is a whole-grain food that's relatively low in calories (around 30 calories per cup) and provides a good source of fiber. When prepared with butter or oil, the fat and calorie content increases significantly, though it remains a lighter snack option compared to many alternatives.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	31 kcal
Protein	1 g
Carbs	6.2 g
Fat	0.4 g
Fiber	1.2 g
Sugar	0.1 g
Sodium	1 mg
Magnesium	36 mg
Phosphorus	98 mg
Manganese	0.4 mg
Zinc	0.9 mg
Copper	0.1 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.1 mg
Niacin (B3)	1.0 mg
Pantothenic Acid (B5)	0.3 mg

Per 1 cup (8 g, unpopped yields ~3 cups popped) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Popcorn is one of the oldest known snacks, with evidence of its consumption dating back nearly 5,000 years in Peru. Nutritionally, it's unique because it's a whole grain that expands up to 40 times its original size, creating a light, airy texture that makes it a satisfying yet relatively low-calorie snack when prepared simply.