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How much sugar is in popcorn? Popcorn. It is the quintessential movie theater or just a movie night snack. But, do any of us really know how much sugar is in that handful of popcorn you are eating? Well, that is exactly the question I am going to answer in this post along with some FAQs on the sugar content of popcorn brands. Oh, if you want to know my popcorn preference is a combo of sweet n’ salty.
In order to answer this question, I have selected at random several of the following different types of popcorn and observed the sugar content:
- sweet n’ salty popcorn
- butter popcorn
- salty popcorn
- caramel popcorn
To make the fairest comparison I selected a variety of both microwave and bagged popcorn. As the defined serving sizes vary from brand to brand, I have pro-rated the sugar content data to be applicable to a 14g serving of popcorn.
Kettle Corn vs Popcorn
You may have noticed that different “popcorns” can be called different things. For example, there is often a distinction between Kettle Corn and Popcorn. So, you are aware Kettle Corn refers to a sweeter style of popcorn which is traditionally made in a cast-iron kettle. Corn kernels are heated with a mixture of sugar, oil, and salt.
The result Kettle Corn is often a much sweeter style of popcorn than other varieties and with a higher sugar content. If you are watching your sugar content, then this is something you will particularly want to look out for and avoid at fairs and carnivals.
So, let’s dig in, how much sugar is in popcorn?
How Much Sugar is in Popcorn?
As a general rule, butter and salty popcorn tend to be sugar-free. Sweet n salty popcorn is sweetened and tends to contain 3g-6g of sugar per 14g serving. Caramel popcorn tends to contain more sugar at 4.5g-7.5g per 14g serving.
I assume you are here to really find out about sugar-free popcorn, so I have included Amazon affiliate links to the sugar-free and lower-sugar popcorn below.
| Popcorn Type | General Sugar Content Per 14g Serving |
|---|---|
| Butter | 0g |
| Salty | 0g |
| Sweet n Salty | 3g-6g |
| Caramel | 4.5g-7.5g |
Before I dig in, if you are interested, I have written a separate post on my top 9 sugar-free popcorns which you can read here – 9 Best Sugar Free and Low Sugar Popcorns.
A. How Much Sugar is in Sweet N Salty Popcorn?
Let’s start by looking at the sugar content of sweet n’ salty popcorn. That popcorn that we all opt for when we can’t decide if we are in a sweet or savory mood. This is also my personal favorite style of popcorn.
1. Smartfood Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Flavored Popcorn – 6g of Sugar
Smart food sweet & salty popcorn is sweetened with sugar and corn syrup and contains 6g of sugar per 14g serving.
2. Angie’s Boomchickapop Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn – 4g of Sugar
The next sweet & salty popcorn I looked at the sugar content of is Boomchickapop (I mean what a name!!). Boomchickapop’s sweet and salty popcorn is just sweetened with cane sugar and contains 4g of sugar per 14g serving.
3. SkinnyPop Popped Sweet & Salty Kettle Popcorn – 3.5g of Sugar
SkinnyPop’s sweet & salty popcorn is sweetened with sugar and contains 3.5g of sugar per 14g serving.
4. Pur Sweet & Salty Popcorn – 3g of Sugar
The final sweet & salty popcorn I looked at was from Pur.
Pur’s sweet & salty popcorn is sweetened with cane sugar and there are 3g of total sugar in a 14g serving.
If you are looking for a slightly lower sugar sweet & salty popcorn, then you can find Pur sweet & salty popcorn on Amazon here.
What is the sugar content of Sweet n’ Salted Popcorn?
In conclusion, sweet n’ salty popcorn will contain sugar and tends to contain 3g-6g of sugar per cup serving.
B. How Much Sugar is in Butter Popcorn?
How about butter popcorn? How much sugar is in butter popcorn? Let’s find out.
5. Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Microwave Popcorn – 0g of Sugar
Orville Redenbacher’s movie theatre butter microwave popcorn does not contain any added sugar and has 0g of total sugar per serving.
You can find Orville Redenbacher butter popcorn on Amazon here.
6. Pop Secret Microwave Butter Popcorn – 0g of Sugar
It’s the same sugar-free situation with Pop Secret Butter microwave popcorn. There is no sugar added and 0g of total sugar per serving.
Pop Secret Microwave butter popcorn can be found on Amazon here.
7. Act II Movie Theater Butter Popcorn – 0g of Sugar
The final butter popcorn I looked at followed exactly the same pattern. No added sugar and 0g of sugar per serving.
Act II movie theatre butter popcorn can be found on Amazon here.
How Much Sugar is in Butter Popcorn?
I think it is safe to conclude that butter popcorn does not contain added sugar and contains 0g of sugar per serving.
C. How Much Sugar is in Salty Popcorn
Let’s now consider the saltiest type of popcorn for all you savory lovers…salted popcorn.
8. Pur Sea Salt Popcorn – 0g of Sugar
The first salted popcorn I looked at comes from Pur. Pur’s sea salt popcorn is added sugar-free and contains 0g of sugar per serving.
Pur sea salt popcorn can be found on Amazon here.
9. SkinnyPop Original Popcorn – 0g of Sugar
SkinnyPop’s original popcorn is basically their salted popcorn. There is no sugar added and 0g of sugar per serving.
SkinnyPop’s original popcorn can be found on Amazon here.
10. Angie’s Boomchickapop Sea Salt Popcorn – 0g of Sugar
Boomchickapop’s sea salt popcorn follows the same trend and contains 0g of sugar per serving. Boomchickapop’s sea salt popcorn can be found on Amazon here.
How Much Sugar is in Salty Popcorn?
In conclusion, salty popcorn does not contain added sugar and contains 0g of sugar per serving.
D. How Much Sugar is in Caramel Popcorn?
Okay, so it probably won’t come as a huge surprise that caramel popcorn is one of the higher sugar popcorns. But exactly how much sugar does caramel popcorn tend to contain?
11. Popcornopolis Gourmet Caramel Corn Popcorn – 7.5g of Sugar
Popcornopolis is sweetened with cane sugar, corn syrup brown sugar. There are 7.5g of sugar per 14g serving of popcorn.
12. Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn – 6.5g of Sugar
Werther’s Original caramels are sweetened with sugar, glucose syrup, and sugar cane syrup. There are 6.5g of sugar per 14g serving.
If you are interested, I talk about Werther’s in the post I wrote on the best sugar-free caramel, which you can read here – 12 Sugar Free Caramels Candies You Need To Know About.
13. Stonehedge Farms Caramel Flavored Popcorn – 4.5g of Sugar
The final caramel popcorn I looked at is from Stonehedge Farms. Stonehedge Farms caramel popcorn is sweetened with syrup and molasses. There are 4.5g of sugar per 14g serving.
Sugar In Popcorn F&Q
Does Sweet Popcorn Contain Sugar?
Sweet popcorn does tend to contain sugar.
How Much Sugar is in Sweet Popcorn?
As a general rule, sweet n salty popcorn tends to contain 3g-6g of sugar per 14g serving.
Is Popcorn High in Sugar?
Salted and butter popcorn tends to be sugar-free. Sweet n salty popcorn tends to contain 3g-6g of sugar per 14g serving. Caramel popcorn tends to contain 4.5g-7.5g of sugar per 14g serving.
Is Plain Popcorn Sugar-Free?
As a general rule, salted or original popcorn tends to be sugar-free.
How Much Sugar is in Popcorn? – The Final Bite
How much sugar is in popcorn? What have we learned from the above? Well, when it comes to popcorn if you want to avoid sugar then your best option is to pick salted, butter, or original-style popcorn. These tend to contain no added sugar. However, the same cannot be said for any type of popcorn that has the sugar “sweet” or “caramel” in its name. You will not be able to escape the fact that these styles of popcorn will all contain added sugar. This is a bummer because my favorite style is a blend of sweet and salted.
And Remember…
Ingredients and/or manufacturing processes may change. Always double-check ingredient lists and nutritional information before purchasing any food items.
WANT TO FIND MORE LOW SUGAR OPTIONS?
Do you want to learn about some other low-sugar options at your favorite coffee chains, fast food, or restaurant joints, or just while you are shopping for groceries? If you do, then check out some of my other articles below:
