Best Popcorn Kernels you can Buy in 2022 – Guide & Reviews

• Large Quantity

Since it comes in a 6-pound bag, this option is fit for serious popcorn lovers only.

• Easy to Digest

Unlike many of its peers, Amish Country is one of the few companies that sells hulless kernels (or better yet, kernels with super-thin hulls), making digestion much easier. Thin shells are also convenient for those of you who wear braces since the thing often gets stuck between your teeth.

• Free From GM Substances

If there's one thing the brand takes pride in is their all-natural growing process. That's actually why Amish Country is a surefire way to ditch chemical-drenched kernels from your weekly menu.

• Fresh     Batches All-Year Round

Thanks to the product's air-tight packaging, the kernels can stay fresh for up to a year, allowing you to get a bang for your buck, no matter what.

• Fluffy Texture

The brand's popcorn also has a distinct fluffy texture which adds a gourmet touch to your snacking routine without having to spend a fortune on over-priced kernels.

• Extra     Recipe Guide

The snack comes with a creative recipe guide that proves butter popcorn is just the beginning (popcorn brownies, here we come!).

• Affordable

Despite the jumbo package, the excellent taste, and the bonus recipe guide, the kernels come at a very reasonable price.

• Small     Kernel Size

Compared to others, the size of these kernels is small which means you won't get a movie-theater-like experience. But, IMO, it's still worth the shot.

• Reduced Waste

Since the kernels come in individual portion packs, you get to pop the exact amount of corn you want. As a result, you don't ever have to deal with leftovers just because you made more than you need.

• Air-Tight Packaging

The packs are also tightly sealed to prevent air from getting in touch with the kernels and reducing their freshness. That means there's virtually zero chance the corn will go stale, so you can keep it in your cupboard for a long time.

• Safe Ingredients

Even though the kernels are coated with salt and butter, manufacturers guarantee the additives have zero harmful additives in them (see: diacetyl). So, you get all of the aroma and flavor with none of the toxins. #priceless

• Easy to Use

These packs are perfect for anyone who's rookie enough to pop corn on their own. So, all you have to do is open the bag, pour the kernels in the air or stove pot popper, and wait for them to pop. It's as simple as that!

• Large Quantity

The packs come in 24-item bundles which means you can stock up once and enjoy the benefits for many months to come without losing any of the original freshness.

• Zero Mess

Another great thing about these packs is that they prevent you from making a mess all over your kitchen. Since the kernels are pre-measured and sealed inside the bags, there's no chance they'll ever spill, making your cabinet a real disaster.

• Chewy Texture

The only thing that's rather unsatisfactory about these packs is that the popcorn ends up turning chewy when stored in a humid environment. Since that's normal, keep them in a dry place, and you'll have nothing to worry about.

• Movie-Theater-Worthy Texture

We all know that movie theater popcorn is simply the best, and not just because of its comforting flavor. The snack also sports a unique texture which is not too crispy but also not too tender at the same time. And if we're being honest, replicating this texture at home isn't that easy – which is where Orville Redenbacher's popcorn kernels step in.

Striking a perfect balance between the crunchy exterior and the fluffy inside, these kernels are the easiest way to enjoy movie-theater-like popcorn from the comfort of your home, whether you add them in an air popper or a pot.

• Free From GMOs

The brand has been producing popcorn for more than six decades now, and the one thing they've focused on all this time is the quality of their products. That said, they only produce popcorn that's 100% natural and free from artificial additives and harmful GMOs.

• Ergonomic Packaging

The corn comes in a well-designed container with a lid and a handle that allow you to pour the kernels in the popper or pot quite easily. That said, you'll rarely have to deal with spilled popcorn which is always great news. The lid also helps keep the contents fresh by preventing the air from getting in touch with the food.

• Large Quantity

Judging from our experience, there's no such thing as too much popcorn, so we think opting for the 8-libre package is a solid choice for every serious popcorn lover out there. You'll end up eating the whole thing, anyway, so why not?

• No Flavorings

Unlike others, the kernels aren't coated with any artificial flavorings such as salt or butter which means you can top them with whatever ingredients you like, from powdered cheese to caramel.

• Many     Kernels Left Unpopped

A common issue with this brand is that some of the kernels don't actually pop, forcing you to waste about 10% of the container's contents. Honestly, that's a sign of poor storing conditions (even before the product reaches your doorstep), so make sure you place the kernels in a dry, cool cupboard.

• Zero Mess & Prep

Since the kernels come in pouches, handling them is a piece of cake. Just rip the bag open, pour the corn in a popper, add the seasonings, and your snack will be ready in seconds. As you see, you make zero mess and spare yourself from doing all the boring stuff such as measuring and prepping the thing yourself.

• No Fishy Ingredients

According to the company, the kernels are made in an all-natural way and aren't coated with GM flavorings such as butter or flavored salt. That means two things: a) that the company's snack is healthy and doesn't have a trace of trans fats in it, diacetyl or cholesterol in it and b) you can top it with your favorite seasonings without feeling restricted to just one flavor.

• Perfect for Bulk Buyers

Unlike most of the options on our list, this one comes in a 40-item case which means it's ideal for bulk buyers who want to get a bang for their buck.

• Reasonable Price

Even though some of you may gasp when you see the final price, note that each case contains 40 8-ounce pouches, so if you do the math, you actually save a lot of money rather than waste it.

• Moisture-Resistant Packaging

The packaging is also impressive as it's specially designed to keep moisture out of the bag. By doing so, the kernels stay fresh for longer.

• Tricky to Store

Since there are too many of them, storing the pouches can be tricky. So, find a place with little to no moisture, and keep them there until you're in the mood for a crunchy bite.

• Family-Friendly Quality

Despite its simple looks, Snappy's kernels have a gourmet-like taste that could turn anyone into a hardcore popcorn lover. More than that, they sport an easy-to-chew texture which makes them perfect for families with kids.

• Perfect for Candy Coating

The kernels are mushroom-shaped which means they're perfect for candy coating and chocolate drizzling.

• Few Kernels Left Unpopped

One of the most common problems with most popcorn brands is the number of kernels that are left unpopped. Thanks to its natural origins, the corn seeds of this brand are highly poppable, helping you get the most out of each container.

• No GMOs

The brand has a long tradition in popcorn making that dates back to the 1940s. So, if there's one thing they know how to do well is producing the tastiest and “cleanest” kind of popcorn. More times than one, Snappy executives have expressed their arguments against artificial additives and GMOs, so you can be sure their products are healthy AF.

• Melt-In-Your-Mouth Taste

While many may argue that gourmet popcorn is where the money's at, we'd like to let you know that Snappy's kernels taste just as indulgent, and more importantly, at half the price.

• Takes     Time to Pop

Unlike others, this one takes a bit longer to pop which could be frustrating if you have guests or restless kids waiting.

• It's Not Organic

So, the brand steers clear of artificial additives, but that doesn't mean it's 100% organic. You see, it follows specific production methods which are definitely not natural, so keep that in the back of your head.

• Free From Toxins

One of the best things about this brand is that they consistently refuse to coat the kernels with artificial additives and other toxic elements. That said, you're always sure they stick to a 100% natural formula which is not just healthy but also tasty AF.

• Lightly Seasoned

To improve the product's flavor, the people at Great Northern coat the kernels with a little bit of salt and butter. But, don't worry! None of them is artificial, so there's zero chance the snack has any traces of diacetyl or trans fats.

• Eliminates Prepping

The product's well-thought-out packaging also eliminates the need to measure how much you'll need yourself as each pouch contains enough of the treat to accommodate 5-10 people. You don't even have to guess how much salt and butter you should add to the mix since the kernels are already seasoned.

• No Mess

The packs are also very easy to use. So, when you do decide to make some popcorn, rip the top off the pouch, pour the kernels in your popper or pot and wait for them to pop. That's it! No cleaning or picking up spilled kernels afterward.

• Funny Texture

When the kernels are stored in a humid environment, they tend to lose their original texture and end up feeling like a bunch of chewy gum. Since that's as bad as it sounds, make sure you place the pouches in a dry cupboard or room to keep it fresh for as long as possible.

• High-Quality Packaging

This is perhaps one of the best packages we've seen on the list, mainly because it's specially designed to provide the shopper with a high-quality experience, from the moment you open it to the moment you close it. So, the packet is made of sturdy paper which means it can stand on its own, a quality that's very helpful when you want to add kernels to the popper and both your hands may be busy. The pack also has a re-sealable lid which helps preserve the contents and keep them fresh for longer.

• Organic Kernels

One of the best things about Anthony's popcorn kernels is that they are organic, meaning they are grown using all-natural methods. As a result, they don't get in contact with harmful additives and toxins which strip the title of “healthy” from their list of benefits.

• No Flavorings

Staying true to its all-natural philosophy, the brand doesn't use any flavorings or preservatives to improve the flavor or shelf life of the kernels. So, the corn is additive-free which means you can experiment with your own flavor combos.

• Awesome Texture

Unlike many in the field, these kernels have a distinct texture which can make the snack taste ten times better. Specifically, the popped kernels are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, resembling a lot to IRL movie popcorn.

• Fragile Seal

The seal on the brand's package is quite fragile which means it could give out at any given point. If that happens, your popcorn will get exposed to air which means it will lose its freshness and the kernels may spill all over. So, be careful and open/close the thing as smoothly as possible.