10 Best Popcorn For Popcorn Machine – Enjoy Delicious Snack With Friends

Are you hosting a movie night with friends and want the best popcorn for popcorn machine to create a fluffy and delicious snack for the occasion?

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Yellow is the best popcorn for popcorn machine due to its natural ingredients, flavors, colors, and no artificial preservatives. The kernels are quick to pop, resulting in a delightfully airy and fluffy texture. For diverse tastes, the Amish Country Popcorn is also worth considering.

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Yellow Popcorn

In this article, we’ll help you find the best popcorn for popcorn machine to enjoy perfectly popped kernels whenever you make them. We’ll also discuss the essential tips when selecting popcorn for your popcorn machine.

What is best popping popcorn?

Snappy Popcorn

Snappy White Popcorn is the best popcorn for popcorn machine because these gourmet kernels produce softer, tender popcorn with minimal hulls, calories, and fat, resulting in a healthier snack. 

Below, we’ve researched and reviewed 10 of the best popcorn for popcorn machine with their unique characteristics and flavor profiles.

1. Connect Snacks Non-GMO Large

Connect Snacks Non-GMO Large

Connect Snacks Non-GMO Large popcorn are sustainably grown and family-farmed, resulting in a healthy, delicious snack. These whole-grain, low-carb yellow popping kernels are ready in minutes and do not contain synthetic materials, GMOs, or chemicals. You can also enhance their flavor by adding butter, cheese, or sea salt. 

Though you might find some un-popped kernels, a large bag of these popcorn makes enough snacks, ensuring your family and friends can enjoy the classic taste of movie theater popcorn.

Pros

  • Gluten-free
  • Crunchy flavor
  • No added synthetic ingredient 
  • Sustainably grown
  • Climate Pledge Friendly

Cons

  • Some kernels may remain unpopped

2. Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Yellow Popcorn

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Yellow Popcorn

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Original Yellow Popcorn are premium popping kernels, delivering a crispy outside and tender inside. The 8-pound container is filled with non-GMO and gluten-free corn and is excellent for movie nights or a simple, wholesome snack.

The container is sealed with a fresh seal under the lid, and the popping rate is high, resulting in a few unpopped kernels. 

Pros

  • No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
  • 100% natural, non-GMO, whole-grain, and gluten-free
  • Incredibly light and fluffy
  • Suitable for air poppers, stovetops, or electric popping machines.
  • Affordable
  • Sourced from a family-run farm
  • Comes with easy cooking instructions

Cons

  • Hard to chew
  • Not pre-measured

3. Amish Country Popcorn

Amish Country Popcorn

The Amish Country Popcorn is worth considering if you’re searching for the best kernels for your popcorn machine. The ten-pack set contains baby white, purple, caramel, extra-large, and mushroom-popping corn, providing diverse flavors to enjoy.

This popcorn is delicious, low in calories, and free from allergens, making it a healthy choice for everyone. Amish Country Popcorn is also hull-less, meaning you’ll get more tender pieces without the inconvenience of getting anything stuck in your teeth.

Pros

  • Perfect gift set
  • No gluten or additives
  • Non-GMO
  • Peanut or Tree-nuts free
  • The pack includes an eBook containing 15 recipes
  • Delicious and healthy

Cons

  • Not suitable for Silicon poppers

4. Great Northern Popcorn Portion Packs

Great Northern Popcorn Portion Packs

Great Northern Popcorn Portion Packs come pre-measured with unpopped kernels, coconut oil, and butter-flavored salt, so you can consistently make movie theater-quality popcorn.

You can use Great Northern Popcorn in an 8-oz kettle popcorn machine for a delicious and fluffy snack. These packs are easy to use and mess-free, as you simply open the packet, pour it into the kettle, and get the tasty popcorn in seconds. 

Great Northern Popcorn is not only gluten and diacetyl-free but also has a reputation for quality popcorn, which is why these are also sold in Major League Baseball stadiums and movie theaters.

Pros

  • Suitable for kettle popcorn machine
  • Diacetyl and gluten-free
  • Comes with flavored salt and coconut oil
  • Short cooking time
  • Pre-measured

Cons

  • Contains artificial flavors
  • Has yellow 5 and 6 food dyes

5. Snappy White Popcorn 4 Pounds

Snappy White Popcorn

Snappy White Popcorn 4 Pounds are premium non-GMO kernels favored among households for their remarkable taste and high fiber content. This popcorn is perfect for air poppers because it quickly delivers gourmet quality and flavor.

These white kernels produce softer, more tender popcorn with fewer hulls and have minimal calories and fat to give you a healthier snack. 

While you may find one or two unpopped kernels, you won’t consider them once you savor the incomparable flavor of this gourmet popcorn.

Pros

  • Fewer hulls
  • Comes with a reusable jar
  • Equally suitable for popcorn machines and stovetop
  • Delicious and affordable
  • High-fiber and non-GMO

Cons

  • Includes no seasoning or oil 
  • Not packed pre-measured

6. Arrowhead Mills Organic White Popcorn

Arrowhead Mills Organic White Popcorn

Arrowhead Mills Organic White Popcorn are USDA-certified organic kernels free from unnecessary fillers and are available in white or yellow colors.

The Arrowhead Mills Organic White kernels are a good source of fiber and are certified to 10 ppm, which means they have little to no gluten. These grains are also known for making very light and fresh popcorn with few husk shards, making it easy to chew.

Pros

  • Rich in fiber
  • Guaranteed to pop each time
  • Can be frozen for a long time
  • Non-GMO corns
  • Organic and fresh 

Cons

  • Expensive

7. Dutchman’s White Popcorn Kernels

Dutchman’s White Popcorn Kernels 

Dutchman’s White Popcorn are medium-sized, hull-less kernels that pop easily and create fluffy, tender flakes to keep your taste buds happy for a long time. These kernels are carefully grown and harvested, ensuring they are of the highest quality possible.

What makes Dutchman’s White Popcorn Kernels unique is their taste. They have a delicious, buttery flavor to please even the most discerning popcorn lover.

Pros

  • Suitable for Microwave, Air Popper, Stovetop
  • Non-GMO and Gluten-free gourmet kernels
  • Natural and tender
  • Vegan, kosher and keto-friendly
  • Crunchy and tasty
  • Savory aroma

Cons

  • Expensive

INFO: You know you can also put microwave popcorn in an air fryer but won’t get the best results.

8. Bob’s Red Mill Whole White Popcorn

Bob’s Red Mill Whole White Popcorn

Bob’s Red Mill Whole White Popcorn is the perfect addition to any movie night or snack session. The plump and flavorful kernels make each bite a delight for your taste buds and pop easily in a popcorn machine, resulting in fluffy, crispy popcorn that’s a pleasure to eat.

It is a non-GMO and organic product, meaning you can enjoy your snack without worrying about harmful chemicals or additives. 

Pros

  • Light and fluffy
  • 100% gluten-free 
  • Contains 14% of daily value fibers
  • No additives or harmful chemicals
  • No added salt or oil

Cons

  • Contains hull

9. Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn

Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn

Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn is a standout choice for those seeking to elevate their popcorn-making game. With its pre-measured portion packs, you can easily prepare it without fuss or mess. Simply pour the contents into a saucepan, microwave, or popcorn machine.

Franklin’s commitment to adding high-quality ingredients sets this product apart from other popcorn brands. Their popcorn kernels are sourced from family-owned farms in Missouri and Iowa and are trans-fat-free, non-GMO, and gluten-free, best for people on vegan and kosher diets.

Pros

  • Pre-measured portion packs
  • Theatre like taste
  • Pops well in a popcorn machine
  • Healthy and organic
  • Fresh and delicious 

Cons

  • Contains Soy
  • Expensive

10. Mushroom Popcorn by Hoosier Hill Farm

Mushroom Popcorn by Hoosier Hill Farm

Mushroom Popcorn by Hoosier Hill Farm is undoubtedly the best kernel for popping machines. Their popcorn offers a satisfying crunch and a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other varieties.

Grown fresh in Northeast Indiana, these Mushroom kernels are GMO-free and produce fluffy popcorn in the machine everytime. The popcorns are hull-less and have a good ratio of popped to unpopped kernels.

Pros

  • Delicious taste
  • Best for caramelizing
  • Pops well in the popper machine
  • Non-GMO
  • High in fibers

Cons

  • Handled in a facility that processes soy, peanuts, dairy, and wheat products.

How to pick the best popcorn kernels for a popcorn machine?

popping popcorn in a popcorn machine

When selecting popcorn kernels for your popcorn machine, consider the freshness, size, hull-less, packaging, flavoring, naturalness, and color of the grains to ensure the best quality and taste. 

1. Freshness

It’s important to consider the popcorn’s freshness for your popcorn machine to guarantee the best taste. One way to do this is to purchase or order in low quantities. Why? Because buying in bulk can lead to stale kernels and ultimately cost you more money.

So plan out how much popcorn you can consume and store them in airtight containers to preserve their delicate taste and freshness.

2. Size

When choosing the best popcorn for a popcorn machine, the size of the kernels can make a difference in its resulting texture and shape.

Larger popcorn kernels tend to produce bigger and fluffier popcorn with a light and airy texture. In contrast, smaller ones yield denser, crunchier snacks with a more satisfying bite.

3. Hull-less

Popcorn kernels with hulls can be a nuisance for some people, particularly those with dentures or gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s or IBS. Therefore, look and select hull-less popcorn kernels for your popcorn machine. 

Thankfully, many reputable brands, such as Amish Country Popcorn and Snappy White Popcorn, offer hull-less options. 

4. Packaging

If you want to store your popcorn for an extended period, look for kernels that come in airtight containers to keep them fresh. Plastic jars with twist-off lids are an excellent option, as they are durable and can completely seal your popcorn kernels to prevent moisture penetration.

5. Flavoring and Naturalness

If you prefer pre-flavored popcorn, purchase those brands which use natural ingredients and have a low amount of added salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats. However, opt for plain, organic, or non-GMO kernels to ensure you have control over which flavors go into your popcorn.

6. Color

The kernels’ color can also affect the size of your popcorn. For example, white popcorn is softer and smaller, making it perfect for children and those with dental issues. 

On the flip side, yellow popcorn is usually bigger and fluffier, although it may have stiffer hulls. You can also experiment with other varieties having different colors to find your favorite.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the best popcorn for popcorn machine and discussed their pros and cons to help you make an informed buying decision. 

We hope you can now distinguish and find fresh, hull-less, organic popcorns that satisfy your cravings and provide great taste and texture to your friends and family members. 

FAQs

What popcorn kernels do movie theaters use?

Movie theaters typically use whole yellow grains to make their signature buttery popcorn, also known as “butterfly” or “snowflake” kernels, which pop into large, irregular shapes and fluffier textures.

How to make good popcorn in a popcorn machine?

To make good popcorn in a popcorn machine, turn it on, and place a bowl under the spout to catch the popped kernels. Next, measure 1/2 cup of corn grains and pour them into the popper. Put the plastic lid on top, cut 1 tablespoon of butter, and place it on the cover. 

Turn on the popcorn popper and wait as the kernels pop. Once the popping stops, pour the melted butter over the popcorn and add salt to taste. Enjoy your freshly made buttery popcorn from the comfort of your home.

What is the ratio of popcorn to oil for a popcorn machine?

The ratio of popcorn to oil for a popcorn machine, in general, is 1 part oil per 3 parts popcorn kernels. However, check the specific instruction given with your popcorn popper for the correct recipe.

Why is my popcorn chewy in popcorn machine?

Chewy popcorn is often the result of steam getting trapped in the popcorn machine while the kernels are popping. To prevent this, use a well-vented lid or leave it slightly open. This will allow the steam to escape, producing light and crispy popcorn.

How do you make popcorn fluffier?

To make popcorn fluffier, soak the kernels in water for 10 minutes before popping. This allows them to absorb extra moisture, which can help produce lighter and softer popcorn.

Is popcorn better than junk food?

Popcorn is a healthier option than junk food due to its low fat, calorie, sugar, and sodium content. Consuming one cup of plain popcorn is much better than eating high-calorie snacks like cheese crackers and potato chips. 

Even if you overindulge and eat three times the recommended serving size of popcorn, the calorie intake would still be only 96 calories. So that’s why popcorn is a guilt-free snack that satisfies your craving for something crunchy without compromising health.

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I am a kitchen appliances expert with years of experience on my back, which motivated me to share insightful tips with people who face issues while cooking, defrosting, melting, or reheating their food. I’m also a food enthusiast and spend my free time traveling the country, trying out the best recipes, reviewing cookware products, and sharing my experiences with others.