Snacks, popcorn, microwave, regular (butter) flavor, made with partially hydrogenated oil
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
This is classic microwave popcorn, the kind that fills the kitchen with a rich, buttery aroma as it pops. Each kernel explodes into a light, airy puff with a satisfying crunch, coated in a salty, savory butter flavor. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy snack, packing over 550 calories per 100g, primarily from fat and carbohydrates.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its irresistible combination of salty, buttery flavor and the satisfying, crunchy texture that's perfect for mindless munching. It's deeply tied to the cultural ritual of movie-watching, making it a nostalgic comfort food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and calorie content, along with potential sodium levels, can be a concern for those monitoring their intake. The use of partially hydrogenated oil means it may contain trans fats. To counteract this, practice strict portion control (stick to the serving size), and consider pairing it with a protein source like a handful of nuts or a glass of milk to increase satiety.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains 10g of dietary fiber per 100g, aiding digestion.
- Offers a convenient, ready-to-eat snack format.
- Can be a source of whole-grain corn.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'butter flavor' in many microwave popcorns is often a lab-created compound called 2,3-pentanedione, not actual butter.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 0.34 g |
| Energy | 557 kcal |
| Energy | 2330 kj |
| Protein | 7.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 34.0 g |
| Ash | 3.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 55.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 10.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.55 g |
| Sucrose | 0.55 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 43.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 94.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 251 mg |
| Potassium, K | 240 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 764 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.19 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.77 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.1 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin | 1.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.28 mg |
| Folate, total | 15.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 15.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 15.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 13.9 mg |
| Betaine | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 22.0 ug |
| Retinol | 13.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 58.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 5.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 93.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 223 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1112 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.6 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.42 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 28.1 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 7.3 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.28 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.46 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.5 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 70.0 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 7.2 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 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 3.3 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 21.1 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 21.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 11.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 9.8 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 9.3 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 9.3 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.46 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.46 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Phytosterols | 1.0 mg |
| Stigmasterol | 0.00 mg |
| Campesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Beta-sitosterol | 0.00 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.22 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.25 g |
| Leucine | 1.0 g |
| Lysine | 0.26 g |
| Methionine | 0.13 g |
| Cystine | 0.14 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.34 g |
| Arginine | 0.22 g |
| Histidine | 0.18 g |
| Alanine | 0.53 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.54 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.23 g |
| Proline | 0.63 g |
| Serine | 0.33 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is microwave popcorn a whole grain?
Yes, the popcorn kernel itself is a whole grain. However, the final product's nutritional profile is heavily modified by the added oils, salt, and flavorings.
What is the 'partially hydrogenated oil' listed?
It's a type of fat processed to be solid at room temperature, which helps the butter flavoring adhere to the popcorn. It's a source of artificial trans fats, which are less healthy than natural fats.
How can I make it healthier at home?
You can air-pop plain kernels and then lightly toss them with a small amount of melted real butter or olive oil and a pinch of salt, giving you full control over the ingredients.