Popped Corn Snacks

Popped corn snacks, commonly known as popcorn, are a beloved whole-grain treat made by heating corn kernels until they expand and pop. The most basic version uses just corn kernels and a small amount of oil or air-popping, but it's often seasoned with salt, butter, or a variety of sweet and savory flavorings. While its exact origins are ancient, with evidence of popcorn consumption in the Americas thousands of years ago, it became a iconic snack in the United States, especially in the 20th century.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Popped corn is a whole-grain snack that is relatively high in carbohydrates and dietary fiber, with a modest amount of protein and very low fat when air-popped. A typical serving provides key nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and antioxidants, with a calorie range of about 30-150 calories depending on preparation.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	93 kcal
Protein	3.1 g
Carbs	18.7 g
Fat	1.1 g
Fiber	3.6 g
Sugar	0.2 g
Sodium	1 mg
Magnesium	36 mg
Phosphorus	90 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg
Zinc	0.9 mg
Copper	0.2 mg
Iron	0.9 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.1 mg
Folate	13 µg

Per 3 cups (about 30 g) of air-popped popcorn · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Popcorn is one of the few snack foods that is a 100% whole grain, and its hull is a surprisingly rich source of polyphenol antioxidants. Its unique popping mechanism—where the kernel's starchy interior explodes outward due to steam pressure—makes it a fun and edible example of a physical reaction in everyday life.