Who is this choice for?

Budget-conscious shoppers hosting a get-together

You want to buy enough popcorn without assuming that a larger pack automatically offers better value. Compare packs on a like-for-like basis and only buy as much as you expect to use.

Regular Friday afternoon hosts

You often host get-togethers and want to be able to prepare or open popcorn one batch at a time. Jumbo’s product information lists 3 x 90 g; Lidl lists 3 x 100 g for the microwave varieties reviewed. Think about how many individual bags will suit your group.

Hosts who want to serve straight away

You want to put the popcorn out without using a microwave during your get-together. Choose a ready-to-eat option and match the flavour and quantity to what you actually plan to open.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether convenience, using the popcorn in stages, flavour choice or the information on the label matters most to you. Then compare packs within the same preparation type.

What to consider What to look for Who is this most important for?
Genuine savings Compare the quantity and price on a like-for-like basis; check whether it really is a bundle. If value for money is my main priority, I look at the usable quantity, not just the number of bags. Around 33% of consumers say price savings are their main reason for buying.
Quantity and how you’ll use it Check the number of inner bags, the weight of each bag and the storage advice. When hosting a get-together with several rounds of snacks, I want to use the bags one at a time. Around 27% of consumers prioritise quantity and being able to use a product in stages.
Prepare or serve straight away Check whether the popcorn is already popped, what equipment you need and what the pack instructions say. I want to put the popcorn on the table without preparing it and avoid using a microwave during the get-together. Around 20% of consumers say being able to serve straight away is their main reason for buying.
Flavour selection Check whether the flavours are packed separately or whether it’s a genuinely mixed pack. If guests want different flavours, I only buy varieties I expect them to eat. Around 13% of consumers prioritise a choice of flavours.
Labels and ingredients Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact pack. If I have a specific preference or allergy, I want to check the ingredients and allergens for that exact variety. Around 7% of consumers say suitability based on the label is their main reason for buying.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a multipack is automatically cheaper

    A pack’s name alone doesn’t mean you’ll pay less for the same quantity. For the microwave two-pack reviewed, Albert Heijn says the items are delivered individually.

    Compare the total price and quantity with the same products bought separately. Only call a pack better value if the comparison backs this up.

  • Equating the weight of microwave popcorn with the amount you’ll serve once it’s popped

    Microwave popcorn still needs to be prepared, whereas ready-to-eat popcorn is already popped. The price per kilogram compares the quantity sold; it doesn’t measure how much popcorn you’ll end up with in the bowl.

    First compare the price per kilogram within the same preparation type. Also consider the time and attention needed to prepare it; don’t use an unmeasured yield to estimate the number of portions.

  • Assuming all sweet popcorn has the same recipe

    For the ready-to-eat sweet popcorn reviewed, Albert Heijn lists sugar and glucose-fructose syrup. The sweet microwave variety reviewed is described as popcorn with sweeteners.

    Read the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety. Don’t draw a general conclusion about suitability for everyone from a single nutritional value.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The own-label range includes the ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn and microwave varieties reviewed.

  • Product information includes details such as quantity and ingredients for specific varieties.
  • The sweet microwave variety and ready-to-eat sweet popcorn have different recipes. The number of inner bags in the salted microwave pack reviewed has not been confirmed.

Jumbo

The own-label range offers ready-to-eat popcorn and a salted microwave multipack.

  • The microwave pack reviewed is listed as 3 x 90 g.
  • Follow the instructions for the specific pack. The warning that the ready-to-eat salted 100g variety may contain milk applies to that variety, not automatically to the whole brand.

Lidl Snack Day

The product information reviewed lists sweet and salted microwave varieties, as well as ready-to-eat sea salt popcorn.

  • Both microwave varieties reviewed are listed as 3 x 100 g; the sea salt variety comes in a 200 g bag.
  • The product pages say these are sold in store. Check the price in store before assuming you’re getting a saving.

ALDI SUN SNACKS

The salted popcorn reviewed comes in a 100 g ready-to-eat bag.

  • The product information clearly states the quantity and format for serving straight away.
  • This is a single bag, not a confirmed multipack. This product information doesn’t support any conclusions about the full popcorn range.

Popcorn products at Joybuy

This selection of Joybuy products features microwave popcorn multipacks.

Popcorn, 3 x 100 g

Popcorn, 3 x 100 g

Ideal if you want to prepare popcorn in separate batches in the microwave.

The pack listed contains 3 x 100 g.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do you work out how much popcorn to buy for your get-together?

Start with the expected number of guests and consider what other snacks you’ll be serving. For the 200 g sweet bag reviewed, Albert Heijn lists eight 25 g portions; for the 100 g salted bag, it lists four 25 g portions. Use this as an example for working out pack quantities, not as a fixed amount per guest.

Can I use the same cooking time for every microwave popcorn multipack?

No, follow the instructions on the exact pack. For AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout, Albert Heijn advises cooking for 2–3 minutes at 800 watts or 3–4 minutes at 600 watts, keeping an eye on it as it pops and stopping when there’s a 1–2-second gap between pops. Open the pack carefully because of the hot steam. Jumbo warns that if its product stops popping, you shouldn’t restart the microwave, and advises keeping children under supervision.

How should you store an opened bag of popcorn?

For the ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and resealing the pack securely after use. Follow the storage instructions on your pack.

What information is shown on a prepacked popcorn product?

The European Union requires food products to show information including the product name, ingredients, allergen information, net quantity, best-before date and nutritional information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that the mandatory allergen declaration covers 14 allergens. Check the information on the pack of the product you’re buying.

Is salted popcorn automatically suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

No, check the allergen information for the exact variety. For the Popcorn Zout 100 g reviewed, Jumbo says the product may contain milk. The flavour name is no substitute for checking the latest information on the pack.