Best Popcorn Kernels Reviews 2022 | a All-In-One Guide (2024)

Howdy, all the Popcornistas!

Imagine this – You’ve got your favorite TV show queued up and already tucked in your comfy couch. All that’s left is picking up the missing puzzle – a bagful of Crunchy Popcorn in your lap!

One could argue – A tasty bucket of popcorn can even redeem the worst movie in the world.
Now, I’m going to hook you up with a wide array of popcorn kernels. Tag along with me & then you can pop up your batch at home and become the Popcorn Protagonist among your family and friends – just like me! Sounds good?

Best Popcorn Kernels for Stovetop

Popping corn on the stovetop is the old-fashioned way of making snacks. It takes an original recipe and a few burned-out batches of kernels to make it right – eventually! And still – you might end up with a few roasted duds depending on your approach and previous experience. Be prepared!

Who doesn’t love the pop-pop-pop noise of bursting kernels from behind the counter? Gentle but persistent at first, then it gradually becomes relentless! I love the heady popcorn vapors that escape when you crack the lid over after all is said and done.

And then you splash out a pot’s worth of fresh and warm popcorn into a giant bowl! There is no higher satisfaction in discovering that not even a single un-popped kernel remains on the stove. Be prepared for a sheer surprise. Oh, the sheer thrill of it all!

Before all that happens – you need gourmet popcorn kernels for traditional stovetop snapping. Here is our pick.

1. Black Jewell Popcorn Kernels

It’s NOT like the typical yellow kernel stuff found everywhere! This natural black popcorn pops a little smaller, and It’s less fluffy than yellow corns.
Yum! I love this popcorn. I pop it by using a few drops of coconut oil, and all it needs is a little salt – delicious it is! You might develop a knack for it if you like less softy and sugary popcorn. The good thing is – you can use stovetop heat, electric pot, or microwave for this popcorn!

2. Wabash Valley Farms Popcorn

This particular popcorn kit includes everything you need for a tasty treat of movie & theater-style popcorn. You only need to snip, dump, and pop! It contains less salt and oil than other popcorn makers. We thoroughly checked all the nutritional features per serving.

It’s an ideal option for popping on a stove. For a flawless popcorn experience, you must give it a try! The pre-measured pack contains gourmet corn kernels, their secret buttery salt, and special oil. Enjoy your healthy snack!

3. Country Harvest Popcorn

All these handy popcorn portion packs have pre-measured amounts of kernels, coconut oil, and seasoning salt for perfect movie & theater-quality popcorn. Kids love it!

Just cut open the top and pour these into your heated kettle for hassle-free snapping on the stove. You don’t need to add unnecessary butter to churn out the perfect quality!
No measuring, no mess, no clean-up! The Tri-Pack packaging allows the kernels, oil, and salt to remain separate. That’s the reason you can have a fresher and crispy outcome after every batch.

Best Organic Popcorn Kernels

Lots of added flavor goes well with your taste bud! But at what cost? Those artificial ingredients can take an adverse toll on your kidney, digestive system & your overall health.

That’s why most health-conscious people turn themselves into the organic regime of food and lifestyle. We want our popcorn to follow the wholesome, natural path!
We recognize that and here is our recommendation of popcorn kernels for organic food buffs.

1. Amish Country Extra Small and Tender Popcorn

This brand gives you the best organic popcorn from the heart of America. You get gluten-free, Non-GMO grains from the Lehman family farm with no added flavors or fancy ingredients. It’s as natural as it can get! This popcorn is enjoying high ratings & reviews among peers.

You will have six pounds of delicious, gourmet baby white Popcorn. In addition, your purchase includes an eBook guide of 15 delicious Popcorn Recipes! This package holds extra small, baby white, a tender stack of popcorn kernels. You can use stovetop heat, microwave, or electric pot for this popcorn. It doesn’t matter which one you use, each time you can have a perfect quality snacking experience!

2. Franklin’s Organic Popping Corn

Do you want your popcorn to be wholesome & pure? I bet you do! Franklin’s popcorn kernels are organic and gluten-free. It isn’t the cheapest in the market. Most importantly, it has no malicious chemicals. Also, you’re free to add fresh butter or coconut oil into the mix to your taste, if you wish. You should give it a try, and we think that you’ll love it!

It’s has a natural sweetness to it. You can spice it up anytime with your favorite salt and spice if you want. At the same time, the kernels are quite large and slightly yellow. It’s rich in nutritional features.

It also goes well with the air popper. The airtight container is quite useful for the long-term storage of all those kernels. It helps to preserve internal moisture. At the same time, it turns out big, feathery, and airy with all its’ tenderness in the world! For all the specifications, please consult with the printed label of your product.

3. Hoosier Hill Farm Ruby Red Popcorn

Wish to taste one of the most delicious popcorn? No, I’m not talking about added ingredients. The exotic ruby red color & the nutty flavor come from Mother’s Earth! Now you can have a healthy snack altogether.

This style of kernels does pop smaller than the other types of grains. It’s tender, tiny, and crunchy! But, it doesn’t get stuck in your gums. You don’t have to endure any additives, sugar, or diacetyl in your popcorn. You can either use stovetop heat, electric pot, or microwave for this popcorn.

On the other hand, the large container makes it easy to access the kernels so that you can scoop out the amount that you want. You’ll find instructions on the label of each & every packet/bag. Have fun with the unique taste!

Best Hulless Popcorn Kernels

Do you enjoy eating popcorn, but dread the flossing session afterward? You need Hulless Popcorn!

OK, the time has come to set the record straight. There is no such thing as (entirely) hull-less popcorn! No popcorn can physically be 100% Hull-free.
Popcorn kernels pop due to the built-up steam pressure inside the hull. As you can see – without the shell, there’ll be no fluffy popcorn. So, the side effects of your crispy popcorns are the hull – settle the score & live with it!

But the leading complaint of popcorn consumers is the irritating hull that gets stuck in their gum and teeth. If that’s what is bothering you, the key is to choose the smaller kernels with a thin and fragile hull.

As a result, when popped, the shell breaks up, shatters & disintegrates. At the same time, it becomes a tenderer, which creates minimal impact on your oral cavity.
So, you should look for “Virtually Hul-less” Popcorn!

1. Dutchman’s Medium Hulless White Popcorn Kernels:

This Gourmet Hulless White Kernels of corn turns into tender and white with nearly shell-less puffs. So, you can expect no shells to get stuck in your mouth, braces, or dentures anymore! I found it amazingly delicious.

Any hulls that might stay on the popcorn after snapping are thinner, more delicate, and quickly broken down and chewed further when you eat this popcorn. It also pops up more significantly than other shell-less popcorn varieties. For detailed specifications, please read the printed label of your popcorn product.

2. Amish Country White Hulless Sweet Kettle Popcorn

Are you gluten-free diet savvy? You must be looking for a delightful wheat-free treat. Then it’s a perfect white popcorn with the right blend of sugary and saltiness. Also, it doesn’t contain a massive amount of butter flavor.

At the same time, this popcorn is lighter and fluffier. The individual poofs are smaller than other types of regular popcorn. So, it’s going to be the less-popped popcorn by volume! But I found it denser than regular white popcorn – a little chewier, of course. It may not be suitable for kids, although you can soften it up easily with an additional buttery texture. The easy & simple way is to add more butter before you pour it into the bowl!

With other white popcorn brands, I had to spend quite a bit of second digging shrapnel out of my dental cavity and gums, but this has had one or two small bits (at most).

3. Just Poppin Tender Pop Hulless Popcorn

In terms of very few hulls – This Popcorn delivers what it promises! As you already know, popcorn can’t be 100% hull-free, but this one comes close. On the other hand, the taste is crisp and satisfies my “crunch craving.”

This class of popcorn has a delicate crunch and is mildly sweet compared to the more “corny” flavor. All these kernels come in an airtight, heat-sealed package.
Without anything added to it, I found that it has more of a natural feeling and flavor than other grains. The only downside is – It turns out smaller than some “jumbo size” popcorns. In that case, you’ve to increase the volume per serving.

Best Popcorn Kernels for Air Popper

The convenience of these air-popped poppers is that it pops only using the air. Also, it doesn’t add calories, fat, or sodium to your popcorn. On the other hand, you get the nutritional features per serving every time.

Of course, after the completion, you can add butter, salt, or other flavorings according to your taste. These days, most of the air poppers have a lid that acts as a butter-melting cup.

Are you wondering how to use a hot air popper? Well, there isn’t much to it! Follow these simple steps:

The best part of an air popper is that you don’t need to add additional, unnecessary oil. In most cases, the oil will damage your hot air popper! But if you want the oil-popped taste – you may consider a stovetop popper or an electric popcorn popper instead.

1. Bob’s Red Mill White Popcorn

At first, I wasn’t sure about this particular brand of corn. But after giving it a try, Bob’s Red Mill turned out to be a delightful find! It’s in a class by itself – more delicious than any other.

Nearly all the seeds pop in every batch. And you can use fewer amount of kernels because the seeds pop larger than other regular corn.
Delicious and yummy (one of the best popcorn kernels for air snapping) – Buy some, you will be delighted with this healthy snack!

2. Jolly Time Select Popcorn Kernels

JOLLY TIME is America’s first popcorn brand! Now it has expanded as the 4th generation family-owned business since 1914. This product comes in the case of 6 jars. Each container contains thirty ounces of gourmet yellow kernels. A total of 180 ounces!

It’s a bundle of pure whole grain yellow corn. This pack provides you with tons of fiber and protein for the entire family. For elaborate specifications, please read out the printed label. This popcorn is terrific. I always use my air popper, and this organic yellow popcorn pops out almost all the kernels during every batch! You’ll find a vast number of positive reviews of this brand of popcorn.

3. Crimson Jewell Premium Popcorn

The Crimson Jewell popcorn is a different and unique popcorn to consider! It provides a beautiful visual appearance. This brand of kernels produces a lot fewer hulls and is pops easily on the air popper. On top of that, consider it a visual delight.

The kernels are light, colorful, and tasty. But it’s not the cheapest one. If you’re a connoisseur of excellent popcorn, then you must try it one. You’ll have much lighter and tastier corn than the usual yellow corn stuff! The texture is unique in many ways.

The delicate red husk is more comfortable to eat than regular hulls. Just add butter, salt, and pepper. Now you’re prepared for a tasty treat! Enjoy the best popcorn kernels for air poppers.

Best Popcorn Kernels – Buying Guide

No fake promises! This guide won’t help you earn the next “Popcorn Connoisseur” degree. Instead, it’ll set you in the right direction before you grab a safe & healthier bag of popcorn kernel next time! Let’s get to it, shall we?

1. The Types and Shapes of Popcorn Kernels

If we consider the shape, there are broadly two categories for popcorn in the current marketplace – Butterfly & Mushroom. After it happens, the butterfly popcorn variation will take the form of (you guessed it already!) a butterfly with protruding wings.

The shape is not entirely coherent & the texture is slightly different too. You might hear the other nickname of this one – “Snowflake Popcorn.” Most of the time, the color of these types of kernels is yellow.

The other variant is Mushroom Popcorn. It has more of a defined (rounded) shape – almost like the top of a Mushroom. This type of mushroom is ideal for coating with chocolate toppings & caramel glazes.

And it has a compact structure and is less fragile than butterfly popcorn. As a result, it can withstand the process of candy-coating and other decorative means as well.
Besides, there are a whole bunch of colorful kernel varieties out there (e.g., blue, purple, and red) on the market. But, interestingly enough, they all transform into white popcorn after the snapping batch! All those varieties of popcorns deserve a place in your kitchen compartments.

2. The Expansion Rate of Kernels

It’s rather easy to grab if you give an example. Let’s say – you take a cup of popcorn and do the popping. How many cups can you fill up with those popcorns? That’s the number that represents the “Expansion Rate” of your favorite popcorn type.

In general, an expansion rate between 35 to 40 indicates good quality. There are quite a few brands of popcorn that have more than that!

3. Hulless or Virtually Hulless?

The hull is the external shell of a popcorn kernel. Often it’s an irritating source of discomfort when it gets stuck inside your teeth and gum! But after all, there is a silver lining. If you consider the nutritional value, then you shouldn’t trash those at all!

There is no such popcorn in the Universe that is (entirely) Hulless(?). If there is no hull in the kernel, then there will be no snapping sound. As a result, the popcorn won’t exist! And of course, you don’t want that to happen, do you?

In the popcorn culture, you will find the buzzword – “Virtually Hulless.” If you want to avoid Hulls as much as possible, then small and white kernels are your best bet! Don’t fall for all those snappy popcorn.

4. Organic and Non-GMO

In the popcorn community, it’s almost impossible to find someone who whats “Inorganic” and “GMO” popcorn! No one is ready to jeopardize their health with unhealthy junk. We’ll want to remove unwanted fat from our precious bodies. In our research, we found that most of the brands and producers try to follow the Organic Irrigation Methodology (as per USDA) and use “Non-GMO” seeds. The key point here is to keep a vigilant eye, that’s all!

You should look for the “USDA” logo for the organic kernels. At the same time, check to see whether there is a “NON-GMO Project Verified” label on the package or not. You should always avoid “Genetically Modified” popcorn kernels. You know better than me – organic popcorn can play a pivotal role to curb your weight! Stay safe & healthier.

5. Is It Compatible with Various Popping Techniques?

There is a variety of snapping methods available for popcorn kernels. You can use a whirly popcorn machine, a hot air popper if you want. The more casual way is to use the stovetop and the microwave. All these techniques have their pros and cons.

For bulk production of popcorn, you should resort to air poppers and popcorn machines. Otherwise, the stovetop is the most common method of choice. On the other hand, a microwave is the easiest to pop a batch of kernels.

6. Is it Anti-Allergen?

Are you allergic to corn? Stay away from popcorn – it’s not for you! Others can eat it, right? Not so fast!

Various corn farmers use shared facilities & storing areas for other grains and products along with popcorn kernels.

Check to confirm that your popcorn kernels didn’t have any proximity to the Peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, milk, and eggs during the packaging and processing period.
If you’re allergic to one of those items, there is a good chance it might trigger allergic problems for you.

7. Artificial Seasoning (or Not!)

It’s up to you. You’ll find a large number of popcorn products with premixed seasoning and artificial flavor. On the other hand, different varieties only come in without extra razzmatazz – just the Popcorn Kernels (and nothing but kernels!). Stay away from toxic ingredients.

The easiest way is to avoid diacetyl, sugar, or any other additives altogether.

8. Beware of Saturated and Trans Fat!

Plain and pure popcorn doesn’t contain harmful fat at all. It gets tricky when choosing commercial popcorn toppings (e.g., chocolate, caramel, etc.) and seasoning flavors.
But the good news is – not all flavored popcorn contains malicious trans fat and saturated fat. You have to read the nutrition facts on the label to find out about this.

9. Is It Premeasured Or Not?:

There are popcorn kernels that come in a premeasured sachet pack. Some of those also contain necessary seasoning salt and olive oil. If you prefer the pre-measured packet, you should use the entire sachet for a single snapping batch.

On the other hand, you’ll find popcorns with a food-grade plastic jar. These are quite useful for storing the kernels for an extended period.
The closed container helps to maintain the moisture and freshness of the seeds. But, you have to figure out every time how many popcorn kernels to use before every batch. Again, it’s a matter of personal convenience & preference.

Final Thoughts

Last but not least, the Popping Method can play a crucial part in how many hulls will remain after you pop a batch. If you’re ready to remove extra body fat & maintain your health, take popcorn seriously! It’s the key.

If the oil and heat combination is not in a proper ratio, the popcorn won’t pop as fluffy as you would expect. It may also leave you with a few more unpopped kernels at the end. Don’t forget to follow the precise instructions on the label of each & every packet/bag.

Finally, If you don’t want to add olive oil or butter to your popcorn, you should use the microwave or hot air popper. Did you read from end to end? I think you’re ready to tinker!

So, Keep Popping up your popcorn Like a Pro!