Choose microwave popcorn in individual bags if you want to make popcorn on several occasions, a ready-to-eat bag if you want to snack straight away, or popcorn kernels if you want to choose the quantity and toppings yourself. Compare packs of the same type, and if you’re making popcorn yourself, factor in the ingredients and preparation too. Also check the ingredients, allergen information and instructions.
Want enough popcorn for a few snack breaks without stocking up? Check the total weight, number of individual bags and weight per bag. Jumbo lists its microwave popcorn as three 90 g bags; the AH sharing pack described came in bags of different weights.
If you want to eat popcorn without preparing it first, a ready-to-eat pack could suit you. Check the serving size and allergen information for the exact variety too; Jumbo says its salted popcorn may contain milk.
If you want to choose the quantity or toppings yourself, loose popcorn kernels are worth considering. AH describes how to cook them in a pan and states that the kernels may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Check the ingredients and cross-contamination warning on the pack.
First decide whether you want to eat your popcorn straight away or make it on several occasions. Then compare how much you’ll actually use and whether the ingredients suit you.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per occasion | Check the number of individual bags, the weight per bag and the stated serving size. | If I’m buying enough for a few snack breaks, I want to know how much popcorn each pack will provide. Around 29% of the group are consumers who focus mainly on finding a suitable quantity. |
| Overall value | Compare the same type of product, and if you’re making it yourself, factor in the ingredients and preparation needed. | If I only want to pay for popcorn I’ll actually use, I don’t compare dry kernels with ready-to-eat popcorn as if they were the same. Around 29% of consumers prioritise overall value. |
| Convenience | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, intended for the microwave or sold as loose kernels. | If I want to snack straight away, I look for a pack that doesn’t need preparing. Around 21% of the group are consumers who prioritise being able to eat it straight away. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, nutritional values per 100 g and allergen warnings for the exact variety. | If I’m watching out for an ingredient or possible allergen, I check the label of the flavour I’m buying. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking ingredients. |
A bag of Jumbo Salt Microwave Popcorn weighs 90 g, while the nutrition table lists a 30 g serving. So the bag size doesn’t automatically tell you how much you’ll eat in one sitting.
First decide how much you want to eat, then check the weight of the individual bag and the serving size on the label.
The price per kilo of dry kernels is for unpopped corn. You’ll also need oil and heat to cook AH popcorn kernels in a pan.
Start by comparing products of the same type. If you’re making popcorn yourself, include the ingredients and preparation in your own comparison.
You’ll need oil and energy to cook popcorn in a pan; any flavourings will depend on what you choose to add.
AH Sweet Microwave Popcorn lists isomalt and sucralose, but also contains 429 kcal per 100 g. So looking at the sugar content alone won’t give you the full nutritional picture.
Read both the ingredients and the full nutrition table per 100 g, then decide what serving size suits you.
The Croky party box described contained a mix of snacks, popcorn, snack bowls and glasses. Its total weight of 1.150 g is not the stated weight of the popcorn, and the information doesn’t confirm that the popcorn itself is made by Croky.
Check the brand and net weight of the popcorn separately. Don’t use the total weight of a mixed box as the popcorn weight.
The box you buy may also contain other snacks and non-edible items.
The product information described includes options for microwave popcorn and loose popcorn kernels.
The Jumbo options described include microwave popcorn in individual bags and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.
Lidl lists Snack Day as its own brand and provides Dutch product information for microwave popcorn.
The Dutch product information described is for Sun Snacks Salted Popcorn.
These Joybuy products include microwave popcorn for several occasions and ready-to-eat popcorn for an instant snack.
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For making popcorn on several occasions in the microwave. The product description mentions microwave preparation and sweet and salted popcorn.
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A ready-to-eat option for a snack break with no preparation needed. The product description lists milk as an allergen.
Pack size: 120 g.
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For snacking straight away, with no preparation. The product description lists soya as an allergen.
Pack size: 120 g.
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A ready-to-eat sweet variety for snacking straight away. The product description lists 44% corn and names glucose-fructose syrup, sugar and sunflower oil among the ingredients.
Pack size: 175 g.
Not necessarily. A bag of Jumbo Salt Microwave Popcorn weighs 90 g, while the nutrition table lists a 30 g serving. Decide on your serving size separately from how much you prepare at once.
No, follow the instructions on the specific pack. AH Sweet Microwave Popcorn recommends 2–3 minutes at 800 watts or 3–4 minutes at 600 watts, and advises you to stop when there are 1–2 seconds between pops. Stay by the microwave and open the pack carefully because of hot steam; Jumbo also warns not to restart the cooking process after an interruption.
First compare products of the same type, and only count the amount you expect to use. With loose popcorn kernels, you also need to factor in the oil and preparation; the price per kilo of dry kernels isn’t directly comparable with the price of popped popcorn.
No. AH Organic Popcorn Kernels carry a warning that they may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have a relevant allergy, always check the current packaging, including any cross-contamination warnings.
No, not necessarily. The product information for AH Salt Microwave Popcorn 2-pack says that it’s supplied as two separate items. So check the contents and delivery information rather than relying on the 2-pack label alone.
