Snacks, popcorn, cakes
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a light, airy, and sweet popcorn cake, where puffed kernels are bound together with a sugary syrup to create a crunchy, chewy treat. It offers a satisfying, toasty corn flavor with a distinctively brittle texture that shatters pleasantly with each bite. Nutritionally, it's a high-carbohydrate, low-fat snack with a modest protein content.
💚 Why it's loved
People love popcorn cakes for their nostalgic, fun, and portable nature, combining the classic popcorn taste with a satisfying, candy-like crunch. They are a beloved treat at fairs, carnivals, and as a simple, shareable snack for movie nights.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate and sugar content can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it less suitable for individuals managing diabetes. To counteract this, pair a small portion with a source of protein or fat (like a handful of nuts or a cheese stick) to slow digestion and stabilize blood sugar. Also, be mindful of portion size, as the light texture can lead to overconsumption.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from its high carbohydrate content.
- Low in fat, making it a lighter alternative to many buttery snacks.
- Contains a small amount of dietary fiber from the corn kernels.
- Offers a crunchy, satisfying texture that can curb snack cravings.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
While popcorn has been cultivated for thousands of years, the popcorn cake or ball as a sweetened, bound snack is a relatively modern American invention, popularized in the early 20th century at fairs and circuses.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 5.0 g |
| Energy | 384 kcal |
| Energy | 1607 kj |
| Protein | 9.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.1 g |
| Ash | 2.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 80.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.72 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 159 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 277 mg |
| Potassium, K | 327 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 288 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 4.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.57 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.98 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 9.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 6.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.43 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.18 mg |
| Folate, total | 18.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 18.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 18.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 22.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 4.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 33.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 21.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 72.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 537 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.48 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.42 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.92 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.91 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.36 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.37 g |
| Leucine | 1.1 g |
| Lysine | 0.31 g |
| Methionine | 0.21 g |
| Cystine | 0.16 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.49 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.39 g |
| Valine | 0.52 g |
| Arginine | 0.58 g |
| Histidine | 0.28 g |
| Alanine | 0.67 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.77 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glycine | 0.43 g |
| Proline | 0.71 g |
| Serine | 0.48 g |
FAQ
Is popcorn cake gluten-free?
The base ingredient, popcorn, is naturally gluten-free. However, the binding syrup or added ingredients could contain gluten or be processed in facilities with gluten, so always check the label for certified gluten-free products if you have celiac disease or a serious sensitivity.
How does it differ from regular popcorn?
Popcorn cake is made by coating and binding popped kernels with a sweet syrup (often sugar or corn syrup), then pressing them into a cake or ball shape. Regular popcorn is typically just the popped kernel, often with butter or salt.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes, you can make a version using less sugar or alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and you can add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for extra fiber and protein. Using air-popped popcorn also reduces the fat content compared to oil-popped.