One of the healthiest and best snacks you can indulge in is popcorn. But when you are on a gluten-free diet, you tend to question everything you consume. So, is popcorn gluten-free?
To understand the relation between gluten and popcorn, we need to know about the making of popcorn.
Gluten And Popcorn
There are hardly any other snacks that are as simple and quick to make as popcorn. It takes nothing but the heating up of corn kernels for it to become popcorn. So, this puffing up of corn kernels seems relatively harmless.
So, the answer to the question – “Is popcorn gluten-free?” is that it is, in fact, gluten-free in its natural form.
But the problem arises when there are extra things added to it like flavors and spices. Some of these flavors and spices may contain ingredients that are not gluten-free and pose a health threat. If you have been on a gluten-free diet, you know that corn is gluten-free.
So merely puffed up corn kernels would be gluten-free too. Only when flavors, seasonings, and toppings have been added does the gluten-freeness of popcorn become doubtful.
If you are careful enough to thoroughly check all food packets' labels, you can save yourself the trouble of gluten poisoning.
While some brands strictly make popcorn gluten-free, others may not.
There is always a chance of gluten contamination when the popcorn has extra flavors and toppings on it.
All popcorn brands are not safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Even if they may seem to be a brand with a lot of fame, they may not be making their popcorn gluten-free.
So, if you want to associate popcorn and gluten-free together, you must buy from authentic brands with clear food labels on them. Here is a list of some gluten-free popcorn brands that you can buy.
Gluten-free Popcorn Brands
Act II
Act II is a super popular brand of popcorn and entirely trustworthy too. This widely popular brand around the world makes completely gluten-free popcorn. They specialize in making microwave popcorn.
Even though Act II makes completely gluten-free popcorn, they still offer a range of many delicious flavors. These flavors are Plain Butter, Movie Theatre Butter, Xtreme Butter, Kettle Corn, Classic Salted, Golden Sizzle, Tomato Chilly, Chilly Surprise, and many more.
None of these flavors have any gluten-containing ingredients so that you can trust the brand.
Great Northern Popcorn Company
This brand specializes in popcorn and a variety of other delicious snacks. You can completely trust them to provide you with gluten-free popcorn.
If you consume a lot of popcorn, you can even get a popcorn machine from the Great Northern Popcorn Company for long term use.
Bob's Red Mill
Popcorn from Bob's Red Mill is famous for its flavor and good taste. You can get both white as well as yellow kernel popcorns with this brand. They have gluten-free written on their label, but other countries may not consider the same.
They have a minor amount of gluten present in their popcorn with flavor around 20 ppm. Some countries may approve of this gluten level and support it as gluten-free, while others may not.
There is a word of caution that you do need to know, though. If you are allergic to oats, it is best to avoid getting popcorn from this brand—Bob's Red Mill process oats in the same facility as the popcorn. So, there is a high chance of allergens contaminating the popcorn.
Boomchickapop
It is one brand that sells gluten-free popcorn in a wide range of flavors. Right from the cheddar cheese flavor to sweet and salty kettle corn, they have it all.
Boomchickapop popcorns are genuinely gluten-free, and you can safely consume them on a gluten-free diet. However, if you are looking for gluten-free and dairy-free popcorn, this brand may not be a great choice.
They do have a wide range of popcorn flavors with butter and cheese, which use dairy in their making. So, if you are also on a vegan diet, you might want to rethink getting popcorn from this brand.
Jiffy Pop
Popcorn from Jiffy Pop is unique in many senses. They produce gluten-free popcorn, which is quite famous but tests to 20 ppm of gluten in it. But since the level varies from one country to another, it is labeled to be gluten-free. The unique part about this brand is their way of selling the popcorn.
They do not sell their popcorn like other regular brands in a package. Instead, with the popcorn comes to an excellent heavy gauge aluminum pan with a handle. With this, you can pop the kernels conveniently whether you are at home or a campsite.
The package makes it super convenient for you to use it on your home stove and a campfire.
Skinnygirl Popcorn
If you care about your calories in your popcorn, this brand is perfect for you. Being calorie conscious is not wrong, and Skinnygirl Popcorn understands that well.
They specifically make gluten-free popcorn to suit your diet plan. Skinnygirl manufactures popcorn that is low in calories, so even if you overindulge in them, your diet will not be in trouble. They have only two flavors as options: lime and salt, and butter and sea salt flavor.
What more would one want on a diet when you get super healthy, low calorie, and delicious gluten-free popcorn!
Orville Redenbacher's
Orville Redenbacher's is probably one of the most famous popcorn brands that produce gluten-free popcorn. Their brand is renowned for its impeccable flavors despite being gluten-free. They use real butter in their popcorn flavors.
You might want to reconsider if you are vegan, though. The butter flavors are available in a variety of eight different flavors. They make both ready-to-serve microwave popcorn as well as just kernels and toppings.
If you have been looking for gluten-free popcorn for a long time, this brand might be your answer. You may want to try it out to see if it suits your liking.
SkinnyPop Popcorn
It is another brand that sells low-calorie gluten-free popcorns. Also, SkinnyPop Popcorn has some very unique flavors which are not readily available with other brands.
But their specialty is selling ready to eat popcorn, although they also sell microwave popcorn and popcorn cakes. Some of the unique brands available with this brand are white cheddar, sea salt and pepper, jalapeno, and many more. So, if you care about the different flavors along with some tremendous gluten-free popcorn, this is an excellent brand to try out.
Pop-Secret
Although this brand produces the regular flavors of gluten-free popcorn, it has some unique ones too. You can find the Cinnamon Roll flavor of popcorn with Pop Secret. They majorly sell microwaveable popcorns.
A good thing about this brand is its production facility. Even if you are allergic to nuts, you have nothing to worry about. Their popcorns are produced and packed in clean facilities without any nuts. So, there is no chance of nut allergen contamination.
Smartfood Popcorn
Smartfood is one of the top-rated brands in the US, mainly because of its affordability. While they produce a range of flavors of popcorn, not all of them are gluten-free.
Out of the many flavors they produce, only four particular flavors are gluten-free. Smartfood Popcorn is mostly ready to eat popcorns in bags. So, if you are looking for good gluten-free popcorns with this brand, you have only four flavors to choose from.
While all these brands are great for gluten-free popcorns, you should be careful about some others.
For example, Arrowhead Mills, NOW Foods, and many other brands may appear to be gluten-free because of their other products, but their popcorns are not.
Gluten-free Popcorn Recipes
If you are someone who likes to experiment in the kitchen, we are here for you. Finding gluten-free popcorns that suit your taste buds may not always be easy.
And the flavors and processing of gluten-free popcorn are not what you may always prefer from a particular brand.
Well, guess what? You can very well make your gluten-free popcorn and enjoy the deliciousness of your hard work.
If you are not a great cook or do not have good kitchen skills, making gluten-free popcorn indeed does not require rocket science; here are a few gluten-free popcorn recipes for you to try out. Whether you enjoy sweet, salty, or savory popcorn, we have it all in gluten-free form for you.
Gluten-Free Pizza Flavor Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients –
- 1 1/2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. Popcorn
- 1 Tsp. Dried Oregano
- 1/4 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- 1/4 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp. Onion Powder
- 2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tbsp. Melted Butter
- 1 – Large Ziploc Bag
Instructions:
- Use the oil and popping corn to make a batch of plain popcorn.
- Once the popcorn is ready, it is time to add in the flavoring.
- Top the popcorn by pouring some melted butter over it. Keep tossing it around in the pan to coat it well.
- Once the popcorn is well coated with butter, add in the ingredients. Put in oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cheese in the plastic bag.
- After you have put the popcorn in the plastic bag with spices, seal it well. Shake the bag to let the popcorn be covered well with all the spices.
- Time to serve the delicious pizza flavor popcorn!
Gluten-Free Apple Pie Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients –
- 3 Tbsp. Popcorn
- 2 Tbsp. Melted Butter
- 2 Tbsp. Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4 Tbsp. Ginger
- 1/4 Tsp. Nutmeg
- 1/8 Tsp. Cloves
- 1/8 Cup Diced & Dried Apples
- 1 Paper Lunch Sack
- 1 Large Ziploc Bag
Instructions:
- Put the popcorn in the lunch bag and fold the bag twice. Put it into the microwave for around 2 minutes or until the popping stops.
- Toss in the sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Whisk it well to mix.
- When the popcorn is ready, transfer it to the plastic bag after topping it with melted butter.
- Put the mixed ingredients in the bag and also the diced and dried apples.
- Seal the bag well and shake several times to coat the popcorn well.
- Serve and enjoy!
Gluten-Free White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients –
- 3 Tbsp. Popcorn
- 1/2 lb. White Chocolate
- 1/3 Cup Crushed Peppermint Candies
- Wax Paper
Instructions:
- Pop the popcorn.
- Once the popcorn is prepared, put it in a bowl with the crushed peppermint candies to mix.
- Once it is mixed well, pour the melted white chocolate over the mixture.
- Spread the mixed popcorn over the wax paper. When it is cooled down, break it up into chunks to serve.
Wrapping It Up:
You do not need to stress over getting gluten-free popcorn when on a gluten-free diet. If popcorn is not readily available in your locality in various flavors, you can make some on your own!
However, it would be best to be careful about the popcorn you consume at the movie theatres. They do not have exclusively gluten-free popcorn. You can always ask them if the popcorn they serve is gluten-free.
With gluten-free popcorn, you can continue to enjoy your snacks any time of the day without any worries!
She is passionate about helping others understand their body.
The key to figuring out why you feel the way you feel is to take a more significant look at what is going on inside you & even around you, and then ask questions!
She is excited to help & support you on your journey of optimal health and wellness!
