Best Popcorn Kernels for Stovetop in 2022 | Top 10 Picks

Popcorns are the best snacks to impress your family and friends. The list of the top picks popcorns in this article may not be always affordable, but taste-wise, you won’t be disappointed!

Now you can make your popcorn on the stovetop in your own way with extra toppings and seasonings. But for that, let’s not forget the days spent researching, analyzing, and reviewing popcorn kernels out there.

The best popcorn kernels for stovetop would be organically sourced, free of artificial additives and leaves little to no unpopped kernels. So, if you’re grateful and ready to reap the fruits of our labor, let’s dive in!

Our Proposed Top 10 Best Popcorn Kernels for Stovetop Reviews in 2022

Let’s slowly check out all the wonderful benefits of gourmet popcorn kernels can provide for you in the following reviews!

1. Gourmet Popcorn Kernels by Orville Redenbacher's

Movie nights won’t be the same without buttery, golden, warm popcorns keeping your mouth occupied! It gets better if the popcorns are made of organic whole-grain corn, and are free of GMO, gluten, and trans-fat.

However, don’t go assuming that Orville popcorns are like any other regular popcorn They are crispy outside, but super tender inside. The taste is incredible on its own, still, you can add your own toppings for more flavor!

For toppings, pour some canola oil, pepper, garlic, and chili flakes, then pop them on the stovetop, microwave, or poppers.

Besides, do you get annoyed when some popcorns refuse to pop in the air popper or microwave? That won’t be an issue with Orville. Unlike other brands of popcorn, every popcorn would pop properly and evenly, making it the best popcorn for stovetop popping.

Now you see why these premium popcorn kernels are a bit expensive; it makes sense!

Although most people might be lucky enough to receive the excellent quality popcorns this brand has to offer, some people were not. Unpopped and mushy kernels posed an issue for those who kept them stored for too long.

You can also pour and store the corns easily with the zip-lock bag that comes with it. On the downside though, you are contributing to plastic consumption since these popcorns arrive in small plastic containers (the same as the brand Great Northern)!

Highlighted Features:

• Suitable for using on stovetop, air popper, microwave, and electric popper
• Calories per serving is 120
• Gluten-free and GMO-free
• Contains no artificial flavorings, preservatives, or colors
• Have 0 gram of trans-fat content

2. Amish Country Rainbow Popcorn

This brand is a legend in the popcorn world, and they manufacture flavorful popcorns from 13 types of kernels! If you’re interested, you can purchase their own toppings and seasonings to make your popcorn more delicious.

Besides, these popcorns are mostly white with a combination of various colors, like yellow, blue, brown, and red. It’s called ‘rainbow popcorn’ for a reason. Even a variety of seeds are mixed in the container which is all grown and procured in the soil of Indiana.

When you pour the kernels into your pan, popper, or microwave, you would soon notice that they don’t fly around. This is an indication of dense and firm kernels. Once the heat gets to them (which would take some time), the kernels would start popping in different colors. It’s a sight to watch!

The popping popcorns are gigantic, fluffy, and crunchy to the taste since they are organically grown. Some kernels might only pop halfway, but you would still love their taste and texture. It’s the same with Anthony’s popcorns.

You can make all this happen even if you don’t have a microwave or the right popper appliance. Just pour some oil and salt on the pan, cover with a lid, and let the popcorn to pop on the stove!

Highlighted Features:

• Includes a recipe guide for experimentation
• Infused with the Amish taste and culture
• Free of gluten, GMO, peanuts, and tree nuts
• Low-calorie content makes it a healthy snack choice
• Contains no harmful preservatives and ingredients

3. Anthony's Organic Gluten Free Popcorn

Looking for a stovetop popcorn brand that produces crispy and firm popcorns which take a while to melt in your mouth? The thing with yellow popcorns is that they are harder than white popcorns. Also, you get more unpopped kernels compared to the whiter ones.

Anthony’s popcorns are well-packaged, and stay fresh no matter how long you have been storing them in your pantry. The expiration dates are clearly printed, usually 2 years from the date of opening. Remember that we can’t say the same for Orville and Amish Country popcorns.

For some reason, Anthony’s has clearly forgotten to explain the direction for popping the popcorns. They just assumed everybody knows how to do it! You know how it’s done- just mix some butter or oil, salt, and other seasonings to the kernels, and pop them on your appliance of choice.

To add, the dense and heavy texture of these popcorns producemore husks that stick to your teeth! You might also find the flavor of these fresh popcorn kernels too light in comparison to other brands of popcorn out there, such as Orville and Great Northern.

There’s also an interesting print message under the bag that the company has put there for fun! Their marketing team has done a great job entertaining the customers through amusing packaging!

Highlighted Features:

• Calorie count per serving is 150
• Can be used on a stovetop, microwave, or electric popper
• Organically grown and packed in United States of America
• Total fat content is 1.5 grams
• Free of GMO and harmful additives

4. Great Northern Popcorn

What makes Great Northern popcorn stand out from the rest? The manufacturers have been extremely generous in portioning the kernels into each container. Yes, you get the most popcorn out of each purchase from Great Northern!

If you’re looking for theatre-quality, high-volume, fluffy, and yummy popcorns to entertain your guests with, this is what you should get. Even though these best stovetop popcorn kernels have an expiration date within 2 years (just as with Anthony’s), it would be gone in an hour honestly!

To make the strong flavor of butter come out, pre-heat the stove for 4 minutes before you pour the content in. You can add anything else you like, such as sage, rosemary, chili flakes, pepper, and what not to enhance the already savory snack. 

Great Northern also has a one-size-fits-all flavor (not too plain, not too much) that everybody loves! The coconut oil, butter, and salt pre-mix are as mouthwatering as they sound. No wonder the fat content per serving is so high!

Nevertheless, there’s only one complaint: The oil and butter content needs to be separated from the kernels, so that people can pour the butter oil into the pan or popper first. Pouring the butter oil and kernels at the same time leads to messy hands and countertop.

Highlighted Features:

• Pre-mixed with coconut oil, butter, and salt
• Can feed 6 to 8 people
• Calorie count per serving is 140
• Contains 7 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein
• Comes with 40 packets of popcorns

5. Dutchman's White Popcorn for Popping in Microwave

The sweet flavor of this brand’s popcorn makes it an ideal choice for snack time, home theatre, game nights, and at-home dates. Not only are they sweet, but these organic hulless popcorns also pop up larger than regular popcorns.

In fact, this is your go-to brand if you have to wear braces, dentures, or retainers. None of the hulls would ever get stuck between the gaps in your mouth! The popcorns are also fluffy and tender; hence, you won’t feel any discomfort savoring them!

On top of all those benefits, Dutchman’s popcorns are diet-friendly kosher, vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, and free of artificial additives. As a piece of advice, store the kernels in the freezer so that they don’t lose moisture.

The hulls are not completely absent in the popcorn though. You would find a few of them, but they are so soft that you can chew them away. For this reason, Dutchman’s probably the most kid-friendly popcorn on this list!

In contrast, Amish Country and Anthony’s popcorns contain more hulls and stick to teeth and gums.

If we look at the health value of this brand, it contains 4 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of total fat, and 27 grams of carbohydrates per package. That makes Dutchman’s popcorn a very healthy choice, unlike some brands that contain too much oil and butter.

Highlighted Features:

• Calorie content per serving is 110
• Free from GMO and gluten
• Can be popped on a stovetop, popper, or microwave
• Hulls won’t stick to your teeth
• Flavor is sweet and delicate

6. JOLLY All in One Popcorn for Air Popper Machines

This popcorn brand was able to solve the Great Northern popcorn packaging problem. Yes, JOLLY TIME has separate compartments for salt, butter, and kernels! Hence, you can subtract butter and salt from your serving if you wish.

You can enjoy this pack of popping corn at the stadiums, nursing homes, schools, concerts, sporting events, recreational parks, theatres, bars, and of course at home! However, make sure you pop them first, and then take them out!

Being a fourth generation family business, JOLLY TIME can’t be underestimated. The instruction manual of the product provides adequate information about the cooking process in commercial poppers, hot oil poppers, and stovetops.

Therefore, there’s no way that you can screw up while making a batch of popcorn!

Made from whole grain, these kernels are GMO-free and gluten-free, but not necessarily free from external flavors.

In fact, the manufacturers boast that JOLLY TIME popcorns are exactly the same as the popcorns found in concession stands.

They are not wrong though, and you would know when you smell that fresh aroma of popped kernels.

Unlike dense and hard yellow kernels served by Anthony’s, these popcorns are fluffy, soft, and have less chance of getting burned. Also, you won’t have many unpopped kernels with this brand, as with Amish Country and Anthony’s.

As for the high-calorie count of 150, you can just eliminate the salt and butter, and cook the kernels. That way, you don’t have to consume a high amount of fat.

Highlighted Features:

• Calorie content of 150 per serving
• No need for measuring
• Contains artificial flavor
• Has 9 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein
• Offers 9 servings per kit

7. ORGANIC White Hulless Popcorn Kernels

There are two types of people in the world – there are those who like popcorns with hulls and those who don’t. ORGANIC kernels were made for people who love hulless white popcorns. It’s especially true for children, adults with teeth problems, and those who wear braces and retainers.

ORGANIC popcorn kernels are high in fiber and low in fat. So, people who are on a special kind of diet, like vegan, you want to have this in your pantry. By skipping the salt and butter, you can consume this wonderful snack every day without gaining unnecessary weight.

You don’t have to worry about artificial flavors and colors in this brand like with JOLLY TIME. This one is minimally processed and each kernel consists of endosperm, germ, and bran which are all whole grains.

Moving forward to the preference of hulls, the hulless popcorns are just kernels that are small in size. Because of this reason, the hulls in the seed of the corn shatter when popped. That’s why you don’t feel the hulls in your mouth!

Apart from containing a decent amount of fiber and protein, these popcorns include 5 milligrams of calcium, 3.5 milligrams of iron, and 235 milligrams of potassium. Overall, these 1.9 pounds of medium white kernels can make 110 cups of yummy popcorn!

Highlighted Features:

• Organically grown and vegan-friendly
• Free from glutens and GMO
• Significantly fewer hulls
• A high-calorie count of 140 per serving
• Fat content is 1.5 grams and protein content is 5 grams

8. Bob's Red Mill White Popcorn

When this brand boasts about being GMO-free, they are quite serious about it! Their quality control laboratory tests every batch of popcorn with ELISA Gluten Assay test. It shows the company’s commitment to providing its consumers with healthy and safe food products.

Per serving of Bob’s Red Mill popcorn can provide you with 14% of the daily fiber requirement, just as with Franklin’s Gourmet popcorn. Also, there is only 1 gram of fat and 3 grams of protein per serving, which means this is the go-to snack for people who are planning to lose some stubborn weight!

Since there is no added salt or oil in the popcorn, you can get creative with it! Add whatever you like, for example, pepper, almond butter, milk butter, chocolate, nuts, chili flakes, honey, rosemary, and sage.

To ensure a low-fat snack, use your air popper. This way, your popcorn would contain less grease, because to pop them on the stovetop, you have to add oil or butter.

However, calcium and iron content in the popcorn is just 1 milligram each, which is close to nothing. Franklin’s Gourmet contains no calcium or iron at all! To compensate for the absence of sufficient nutrition, add some nuts with the popcorn. You can thank us later!

Highlighted Features:

• Made with 100% whole grain
• No salt or oil has been added
• High source of natural fiber
• Calories per serving is only 100!
• Free of gluten and GMO

9. Urban Accents Popcorn Kernels

This brand is the perfect snack item to use for festive occasions, such as birthdays, housewarmings, baby showers, and other celebrations. Even if you’re not celebrating big, you can still enjoy this awesome popcorn set on date nights, family get-togethers, and as Children’s snacks.

Now let’s get to the different flavors that are included in this fun popcorn package. White Gold kernels are fluffy and light.

They taste, look, and feel like classy popcorn. Ruby Red kernels are red and sweet. On the other hand, the Tricolor kernels are a mix of white gold, indigo blue and ruby red. Just the perfect pack for kids, right?

Moving on to the other goodies of Urban Accents popcorn set. The White Cheddar Seasoning contains white cheddar, and the Sweet and Salty Kettlecorn Seasoning has a classic carnival flavoring.

If you’re a spice lover, the Sizzling Siracha Seasoning would satisfy your spice cravings! For those of you on the milder side, you can try the Chili Lime Seasoning popcorn. Moreover, the last one in the pack is the Buttery Caramel Corn Seasoning, which contains caramel and butter.

The popcorn box as a whole measures 10 inches in length and 9 inches in width. Practically speaking, the quantity of popcorn in each pack is too little for the price. Additionally, sometimes the seasonings might not stick to the popcorn after they are popped.

Highlighted Features:

• Set of 8 packs with varied flavor
• Can be used as a gift set
• Crunchy and light taste
• Grown and processed in the USA
• Made from natural, simple, and clean ingredients

10. Franklin’s Gourmet Organic Popcorn Kernels

Crunchy, big, and fluffy- Franklin’s Gourmet popcorn is what you need if you’re missing the taste of homemade gourmet snacks! All-natural and old-fashioned, it’s a breath of fresh air among all the processed and seasoned popcorn out there.

A fun fact about this brand is that it comes in a jar instead of a packet. Therefore, it’s easier to store and use from a jar, and you can also re-purpose it once the kernels are gone.

The kernels are yellow and hard. As a result, some of them might not pop, so you have to reheat them. You might even find them to be dense, but organic kernels are like that. This can pose a problem for people with dental problems though.

The moisture level in kernels can differ based on where they are grown and how they are tended to. So, if you’re cooking on the stove, make sure that Franklin’s kernels touch the bottom of the pan and the heat is set at medium. Once several of them pop, let them all sit inside the pan for a while before you serve them.

Moreover, this brand might lack the nutty and sweet flavor of regular popcorn. Considering the health benefits of gourmet organic popcorn, it would still make for a great snack to lose or maintain weight.

On another note, the price of Franklin’s might not be in everybody’s budget. Yes, you can try other cheaper options, but be ready to compromise on the texture and taste!

Highlighted Features:

• Sourced from local farmers
• Freedom to experiment with the kernels
• Calories per serving is 110
• Certified as organic by the USDA
• Includes 4 grams of dietary fiber

Comparison Table of Popcorn Kernels for Stovetop

Stovetop Popcorn Kernels Buying Guide

You should have a strategy even when you’re trying to buy best quality popcorn kernels out there. In fact, you should not take this lightly because a lot of factors come into play. Ingredients, types, shelf life, and the quality of the kernels all contribute to how the final popcorn would taste.

Hence, read the buying guide below to know more about what you should keep on your checklist.

Ingredients

Hands down, the first factor you should address when it comes to buying popcorn kernels is the origin of the ingredients and the level of processing they have gone through before they hit the shelves.

Yes, most brands would advertise their products to be authentic, original, and freshly grown. But you have to use your discernment in whether you want to believe that or not.

Usually, good brands that have been in the industry for decades, provide more value to consumers than fairly newer brands. You would also notice the difference in taste, texture, and packaging between older and newer popcorn brands.

It should be noted that you should always choose popcorn brands that are offering naturally-sourced, organic kernels. Also, it’s better to stick to natural popcorn with fewer additives, seasonings, colors, and flavors.

Regular vs. Hybrid Kernels

Regular popcorn is a whole grain that contains lots of fiber with a minimum amount of fat. Hybrid popcorn is a mix of a variety of kernels which is why it has a unique taste that a lot of people love.

Hybrid popcorn is not less healthy than regular popcorn because it’s just a crossbreed of different popcorn. It doesn’t contain additional chemicals or additives. You can identify hybrid kernels by checking the package of the product. They are also cheaper and are easily available.

Shelf Life

You can have the most expensive and most organic kernels at your disposal and still fail to preserve them in your pantry! Let’s not become one of those people!

Read the instructions on the packaging very carefully before opening the popcorn. Different brands might recommend different ways to store and preserve their popcorn.

Generally, if you store them in a cool, dry place, like your pantry, they would last for a long time. Make sure no ants and bugs of any kind can get in there. The place of storage must be clean as well. You can expect the kernels of an opened container to last for as long as 2 years on average.

Gourmet vs. Regular Popcorn

Gourmet popcorn is naturally more delicious, their consistency is pure, they are big and fluffy, and it kind of melts in your mouth.

Regular popcorn might be able to achieve half of those qualities, but it would still be lacking in some way. But they are way cheaper than gourmet popcorn.

If you’re on a tight budget, there is no harm in opting for the regular option. However, if you’re someone who’s not going to settle for less, especially when it comes to popcorn, stick to the gourmet option like Franklin’s and Orville Redenbacher's.

How to Make Perfect Popcorn on the Stovetop? 5 Easy Steps to Follow 

Making the perfect popcorn is actually as easy as it sounds. Come on, who hasn’t tried it yet? But we understand that some people might struggle, so we came up with this step-by-step guide to help you with it.

Step 1: Get started with the ingredients

Get started with the ingredients first. That would include a saucepan, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or canola oil, ⅓ cup of gourmet or high-quality popcorn kernels, 1 tablespoon of butter, and some salt. 

Once you’ve organized the ingredients, light up the stove, and set it to medium heat. After a minute, pour the oil of your choice onto the saucepan. Spread the oil evenly on the pan. You can do so by picking up the pan or with a spatula.

Step 2: Pour the kernels into the saucepan

To test the heat of the oil, put in 3 to 4 kernels. When you see them pop, you know that it’s the right time to add the rest. So, pour the rest of the kernels into the saucepan. Make sure that they are all touching the pan. Don’t overload the pan with kernels. Go slow and steady!

Step 3: A trick to pop all the kernels

Add salt, butter, and whatever else you want to include in your snack. Now, the show begins.

Cover the pan with a lid, and remove the pan from the heat. This is the trick that would ensure all the kernels pop without leaving any unpopped fellows. Count to 30 seconds as you hold the pan away from the heat, and then put it back on the stove.

Step 4: Let some steam escape

Once you’ve put the pan back onto the stove, you would notice that the kernels are popping insanely. Stir the pan by holding the grip while the lid is still on.

It’s better if your lid has a hole to let steam out. If not, keep the lid ajar just a little bit for the steam to escape. Without this crucial step, your popcorn would turn out less chewy. You have to let the heat escape so that the final result is crispy and light.

Step 5: Serve the popcorn quickly

The perfect time to stop the heat is when the popping has slowed down. You can immediately pour the content of the pan into a bowl, and serve to enjoy!

FAQs

1. How long does popcorn need to be popped?

On average, you need only 2 to 4 minutes of heating time to get the most out of your popcorn kernels. For smaller popcorn bags, you can do away with 1 to 2 minutes of microwaving, stovetop heating, or air popping.

2. What happens if the popcorn is too wet?

Many people don’t realize that the steam trapped in the saucepan can hamper the kernels from popping effectively. You can find out whether your kernels are too wet or not by the sound of them popping.

Wet kernels pop loudly and end up coming out chewy and jagged. If they were dry before you put them in the microwave, popper, or stove, they would come out fluffy and soft.

3. Why won’t popcorn pop sometimes?

Popcorn kernels would refuse to pop if there contains too much or too little moisture inside. The ones that pop do so because they only contain 14% to 15% of moisture.

4. Do you always have to use oil to pop popcorn kernels?

You don’t always need oil or butter to make popcorn kernels pop. They would pop anyway if you heat them up. The main reason people often add oil or butter to popcorn is for flavor.

5. Does popcorn make you gain weight?

Popcorn contains the least amount of fat, high fiber content, and low carbohydrates making it a healthy snack for people looking to lose weight. Unless you are adding some extra nuts and fruits to the popcorn, there is no additional nutritional benefit.

In Conclusion

In summary, the best popcorn kernels for stovetop are made from pure, organic whole grain with no artificial preservatives, colorings, or flavor. You can say – the simpler, the better.

However, there is no restriction on adding some extra toppings and seasonings. As long as you maintain the correct steam pressure in the saucepan, your popcorn would all come out fluffy and soft!

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