11 Best Gluten-Free Popcorn Brands

Based on current research, popcorn appears to be a safe and suitable snack for people who have gluten-related disorders.

However, popcorn becomes a questionable snack for those on a gluten-free diet when the ingredients list starts to include things beyond corn and butter.

Is Popcorn Gluten Free?

Yes, popcorn is gluten-free in its most basic form. The tortilla is made from corn kernels, which are naturally gluten-free. However, not all popcorn is gluten-free.

Store-bought or movie theater popcorn may have gluten-containing flavoring additives. The consumption of these substances can have negative consequences for people who have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant. Some common additives that contain gluten are BBQ and soy sauce flavoring, imitation meat flavoring (bacon), and malt flavoring.

You can eat plain popcorn or popcorn with gluten-free seasonings without worrying about gluten. Although not all popcorn is the same, some of it is not as good as others. The best store-bought popcorn is labeled gluten-free.

Is Movie Theater Popcorn Gluten-Free?

There is always a risk when eating popcorn at a movie theater. If you are avoiding gluten, the only way to eat popcorn at the movies is to find a brand of popcorn that is gluten-free.

While some theaters do offer gluten-free options, they are typically sans the delicious buttery topping. Two of the biggest movie theaters in the United States, Regal and AMC, say they offer gluten-free popcorn.

If you aresensitive to gluten, it is a safe option to avoid popcorn in movie theaters.

12 Gluten-Free Popcorn Brands

POPCORN It’s great that there are lots of different types of gluten-free popcorn available, like ready-to-eat snacks, microwavable popcorn, and just plain kernels. The majority of popcorn that is sold at movie theaters is also safe for people to eat, unless they are sensitive to trace amounts of gluten. These 12 companies make gluten-free popcorn.

Act II

The second act provides microwaveable popcorn in ten different flavors: including options like butter, light butter, butter lovers, extreme butter, movie theater butter, kettle corn, and more. Any flavor of Act II microwave popcorn is gluten-free according to ConAgra Brands, as long as there is less than 20 parts per million of gluten.

Our gluten-free foods must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten to be in compliance with FDA’s gluten-free food labeling regulation.” ConAgra claims that their foods that are labeled as ‘gluten-free’ have gone through a lot of review of the ingredients and the preparation, as well as testing to validate that it actually is gluten-free. They have to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten to comply with the FDA’s gluten-free food labeling regulation. After determining which ingredients should not contain gluten, we talk to our suppliers to make sure they are providing those ingredients. Next, we review our preparation and cleaning steps. After everything is said and done, we test the food to see if there is 20 ppm (parts per million) or less of gluten present.

Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP

ConAgra’s subsidiary Angie’s produces ready-to-eat popcorn in many flavors like Sea Salt, Sweet ‘n Salty Kettle Corn, White Cheddar, Light Kettle Corn, Cheddar Cheese, Real Butter, and Caramel and Cheddar.

All of the foods have been certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) to have less than 10 parts per million of gluten. Angie’s also does not use genetically modified organisms, uses naturally occurring colors and flavors, and avoids corn syrup that is high in fructose.

Arrowhead Mills

Arrowhead Mills is a company that produces grain products and mixes that are gluten-free. Its white and yellow popping kernels are certified gluten-free.

Black Jewell Popcorn

The founders of the company were inspired to start a business when they discovered an heirloom black popcorn kernel that pops fluffy corn without the hull attached. The company Black Jewell has other varieties of ready-to-pop popcorn, including Crimson Popcorn, which has crimson kernels, and Native Mix, a blend of crimson, yellow and white kernels.

The Black Jewell popcorn company also offers a line of microwavable popcorn products that come in four different flavors: Natural, Touch of Butter, Sweet & Salty, and No Salt No Oil. You can also buy bagged, hull-less popcorn that is ready to eat. This popcorn comes in flavours like Simply Sea Salt and Aged White Cheddar. Black Jewel is stating that their popcorn is pure and gluten-free.

Bob’s Red Mill

This company provides flours and mixes made from grain, as well as ready-to-pop yellow and white kernels. Bob’s Red Mill has a seperate facility to prepare gluten-free products to protect against accidental cross contamination. All products are batch tested in a controlled laboratory. At Bob’s Red Mill, the gluten-free oats are processed in this facility.

Great Northern Popcorn Company

Great Northern sells popcorn in different flavors and without flavor. They also sell the machines to make the popcorn to customers who want to make it themselves, or to businesses such as movie theaters and fairs. The company is proud that all of their kernels and seasonings are gluten-free.

Jiffy Pop

If you’ve ever made popcorn in a pan on a campfire, you’ve most likely used Jiffy Pop. This brand is iconic for using a sealed heavy-gauge aluminum pan to pop the corn. The pan has a wire handle, and as the kernels pop, the top of the pan rises. Jiffy Pop includes butter flavoring. Like Act II, Jiffy Pop is a ConAgra brand.

Jolly Time

The American Pop Corn Company was founded by Cloid Smith in 1914 and remains a family-owned business today. The company contracts with farmers to grow corn that is non-GMO and without cross contamination.

Jolly Time does not produce any products with gluten; however, we can not guarantee that our popcorn has not come in contact with gluten during the shipping/transportation process.” Jolly Time’s popcorn is gluten-free from wheat, rye, oats, and barley, but the company can’t guarantee that the popcorn hasn’t come into contact with gluten during shipping or transportation. corn gluten (modified corn starch) is an ingredient in all of our products. It should not cause a problem for people with celiac or gluten sensitivity. We’ve been assured by our flavor providers that the flavorings we use are gluten-free.

From its early days of selling kernels for stovetop popping, Jolly Time has expanded its offerings to include white, yellow and organic yellow kernels, as well as a wide variety of microwaveable flavors in full-size and mini bags. All of its products are free of diacetyl, a chemical butter flavoring that is being investigated for its potential contribution to lung disease in plant workers.

There are several different types of kettle corn, including those flavored with butter and sea salt, as well as sweeter or savory options like Kettle Mania or The Big Cheez. Some companies also offer more unique flavors, such as Mallow Magic. Healthy Pop serves calorie- and nutrition-conscious snackers.

Orville Redenbacher’s

This brand of popcorn is known for using real butter instead of buttery flavoring. There are many flavors of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn that can be microwaved, jarred, or eaten as is.

There are microwavable popcorn products that include: a variety of butter flavors; sweet and savory flavors; SmartPop!, which is 94% fat-free; and Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals that have real ingredients, less oil, and 20% fewer calories.

The company sells yellow and white popcorn kernels and butter-flavored popcorn popping oil. Orville Redenbacher’s products are made by ConAgra, and the company says that its microwavable, jarred, and ready-to-eat products contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten, which is considered to be gluten-free.

Pop Secret

You can find a variety of Pop Secret’s microwavable popcorn flavors, including: several styles of buttery flavors ranging from light butter to double butter; a Sweet ‘n Crunchy line; plus multiple “94% fat-free” and “100 calories per bag” options. Flavors also come in snack-size packs.

The Homestyle product is a light buttery spread with a hint of salt. Pop Secret also sells kernels for popping. Allergens listed on the Pop Secret label do not include wheat.

Skinnygirl Popcorn

The brand that signifies low calorie food and beverages has produced low-calorie microwavable popcorn in small servings in partnership with Orville Redenbacher’s. This new popcorn is a healthier alternative to traditional popcorn, and it comes in a variety of flavors. There are two types of Skinnygirl: Lime & Salt and Butter & Sea Salt. This means that the vast majority of people with gluten sensitivities can safely eat Skinnygirl Popcorn products.

SkinnyPop Popcorn

SkinnyPop is a popcorn company owned by Amplify Snack Brands. They produce bagged popcorn, mini popcorn cakes, popcorn chips, and microwavable popcorn in many different flavors. Bagged popcorn that is already popped comes in a variety of flavors, including standard ones like Sea Salt & Pepper and Real Butter, as well as specialty and seasonal flavors like Twist of Lime and Sweet Vanilla Kettle.

Popcorn chips and mini cakes are available in a variety of flavors, including Sea Salt, Cheddar & Sour Cream, and Salted Caramel. The basic microwavable popcorn flavors from SkinnyPop have 25 calories per cup. Our team of experts source only the highest quality ingredients from around the world.” The company claims that all of their products contain no artificial ingredients or flavors, are non-GMO, and always gluten-free. They say that their team of experts only source the highest quality ingredients from around the world. We offer numerous vegan options that are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. This organization requires that products contain less than 10 parts per million of gluten.

Tips To Buy Gluten-Free Popcorn

There are many types of gluten-free, ready-to-eat popcorn available in stores. You need to be careful while purchasing them. Here are some tips that will help you buy the best popcorn when you are on a gluten-free diet:

Read Labels Carefully

It is important to read labels carefully. When choosing food, you should look for a label that says the product is gluten-free. If a product does not have a label saying that it is gluten free, that does not mean that it necessarily contains gluten.

Make sure to look at the list of ingredients to see if there is anything containing gluten before eating the popcorn. Some ingredients to avoid are wheat starch, barley, rye, and malt. The product contains gluten if you see any of these ingredients listed on the package.

In addition to checking the nutritional information, you also need to check the allergen and cross-contamination information. Usually, you can find this information at the end of the list of ingredients.

Look For Third-Party Certification

In addition to looking for a broad-spectrum product, you should also look for one that has been certified by a third-party organization. Many organizations offer gluten-free certification.

The National Celiac Foundation, the NSF, and the Gluten-free Certification Organization are the most reputable organizations that offer certification. If any of these organizations have certified a product, it is safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to consume.

Manufacturer’s Website

You can also check the manufacturer’s website for more information. Manufacturers usually have allergen and cross-contamination information on their websites. This allows you to easily see if a product is gluten-free.

Also, you can reach out to the manufacturer of the product you’re interested in and ask them questions.

Make Gluten-Free Popcorn At Home

The best way to ensure your popcorn is gluten-free is to make it at home. To make this snack at home, you can either use air-popped popcorn or the microwave popcorn method. You can avoid cross-contamination when you make your own gluten-free popcorn at home.

You can make popcorn at home safely and relatively cheaply. Gluten-free popcorn kernels are readily available online and at your local store. You need to pop the kernels and add your favorite seasoning once you have them. You can either use pre-made gluten-free seasoning or make your own mixture of different spices.

Here are a few recipes you can try if you are looking for a gluten-free popcorn variation.

Gluten-Free Caramel Popcorn

Here is a simple recipe for a gluten-diet friendly caramel popcorn:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add popcorn kernels and cover the pot with a lid.
4. Once the kernels start popping, reduce the heat to low and shake the pot occasionally, so the kernels don’t burn.
5. Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and baking soda in a small saucepan.
6. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
7. Once it starts boiling, cook for 1 minute and remove it from heat.
8. Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn and stir it, so it is evenly coated.
9. Spread the popcorn on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
10. Let the popcorn cool before serving.

Conclusion 

While popcorn is gluten-free, it is always best to buy popcorn that is clearly labeled as gluten-free. You have a few options if you want to buy popcorn that is gluten-free. You can buy plain popcorn, organic popcorn, or make your own flavored popcorn at home with gluten-free seasonings. If you have celiac disease or are gluten sensitive, it’s important to consult with a certified doctor or dietician before adding popcorn to your diet.