A Healthy Snack Guide: Who Makes Popcorn Without Oil?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

A single serving of plain, air-popped popcorn contains only about 95 calories, making it one of the healthiest snack options available. For those seeking the most minimalist and clean ingredients, the question of who makes popcorn without oil? is crucial for navigating the market and finding truly guilt-free options.

Quick Summary

This guide details brands that offer completely oil-free popcorn options, explores DIY methods for air-popped and microwave popcorn, and provides comparisons to common 'healthy' brands.

Key Points

Pre-packaged oil-free brands exist: While less common, some brands like PLANTSTRONG offer certified oil-free microwave popcorn.
Homemade is the most reliable option: Using a hot air popper or the microwave paper bag method guarantees no added oils or fats.
'Healthy' branding isn't always oil-free: Many popular brands like LesserEvil and SkinnyPop use oils (e.g., coconut, sunflower) despite being marketed for health.
Fiber and low calorie benefits: Air-popped popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber whole grain that aids in weight management and digestion.
Creative seasoning techniques: Since oil-free popcorn lacks fat, use a light mist of water or vinegar and powdered seasonings like nutritional yeast for flavor.
Read ingredients carefully: Always check the ingredient list to confirm if a pre-packaged product is truly oil-free and meets your dietary needs.
Air-popping is superior for nutrition: Choosing an air-popped method is the best way to consume popcorn in its healthiest state, preserving its natural benefits.

Finding Truly Oil-Free Popcorn

For a truly oil-free popcorn experience, the simplest route is to make it yourself using either a hot air popper or a paper bag in the microwave. However, some companies also offer pre-packaged oil-free products, focusing on the intrinsic health benefits of popcorn itself—a whole grain rich in fiber and antioxidants—without added fats.

Notable Brands Offering Oil-Free Products

While many companies brand their products as 'healthy,' checking ingredient lists is essential for genuinely oil-free options. Brands like PLANTSTRONG and KernelPop offer products with no added oils.

PLANTSTRONG Popcorn: This brand offers a "Whole Grain, Unsalted, & Oil Free" microwave popcorn designed for a plant-based, whole-food diet. It pops quickly and is ideal for custom seasoning.
KernelPop Popcorn Natural: Available from some international sellers, this option provides unflavored kernels free from added fats and sodium, perfect for custom spice mixes.

DIY Methods for Oil-Free Popcorn at Home

Making oil-free popcorn at home is simple and cost-effective using methods that rely on hot air:

Using a Hot Air Popper: An electric hot air popper is efficient for large batches. Add kernels to the preheated machine, and it quickly produces light, fluffy popcorn.
The Paper Bag Microwave Method: For a single serving, place ⅓ cup of kernels in a paper bag, fold the top twice, and microwave until popping slows. This method is convenient and requires minimal cleanup.

Comparison of Pre-Packaged and DIY Popcorn Options

Here's a comparison to help you choose the best oil-free popcorn option:


Method/Brand	Prep Time	Oil Used	Calorie Impact	Flavor Control	Convenience
PLANTSTRONG	Fast (Microwave)	None	Minimal	Add your own	High (Pre-packaged)
KernelPop Natural	Varies (Kernels)	None	Minimal	Add your own	Medium (Requires popping)
DIY Air Popper	Moderate	None	Minimal	Add your own	Medium (Requires equipment)
DIY Microwave Bag	Very Fast	None	Minimal	Add your own	High (Simple, no equipment needed)
LesserEvil (Not Oil-Free)	Pre-Popped	Coconut Oil	Adds calories	Pre-flavored	High (Ready-to-eat)
SkinnyPop (Not Oil-Free)	Pre-Popped	Sunflower Oil	Adds calories	Pre-flavored	High (Ready-to-eat)

Brands That Use Oil But are Marketed as “Healthy”

Many brands marketed as healthy are not oil-free. Always read labels carefully:

LesserEvil: Uses coconut oil in many products.
SkinnyPop: Uses sunflower oil in its original recipe.
Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP: Uses canola and/or sunflower oil.

Tips for Seasoning Oil-Free Popcorn

To get seasonings to stick without oil, try these tips:

Use a spray: A light mist of water, vinegar, or low-sodium tamari helps powdered seasonings adhere.
Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy, savory flavor that sticks well.
Spice Powders: Use fine spice blends like onion powder, garlic powder, or chili powder.
Sweet Options: Dust with cinnamon and maple sugar or a light mist of maple syrup.

Conclusion: Making the Healthiest Choice

For those seeking oil-free popcorn, brands like PLANTSTRONG offer convenient options, and some international sellers carry products like KernelPop Natural. However, making popcorn at home with an air popper or microwave paper bag method is the most reliable way to ensure it's oil-free. Checking labels and using DIY methods allows you to enjoy this whole-grain snack in its healthiest form.

For more information on the nutritional benefits of air-popped popcorn, visit the Mayo Clinic's health system resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

PLANTSTRONG offers a microwave popcorn explicitly labeled as 'Whole Grain, Unsalted, & Oil Free'. For bulk kernels, options like KernelPop Natural are unflavored and contain no added fats.

Yes, you can easily make oil-free popcorn at home using a hot air popper or a simple paper bag in the microwave. Both methods require no oil for popping.

No, despite being marketed as healthy, brands like SkinnyPop (sunflower oil) and LesserEvil (coconut oil) use oil in their ready-to-eat popcorn products. Always check the ingredient list to be sure.

Since there's no oil for adherence, you can use a light spray of water, vinegar, or low-sodium tamari before adding powdered seasonings like nutritional yeast, chili powder, or garlic powder.

Oil-free popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber, and whole-grain snack. This makes it a great option for weight management, and its natural antioxidants support overall health.

While some methods propose using water, this is not a recommended or reliable method for producing a good batch of popcorn. A dedicated air popper or microwave is a much more effective route for oil-free popping.

Yes, aside from the DIY paper bag method, brands like PLANTSTRONG offer specific products that are unsalted and oil-free for the microwave. You should always verify the ingredient list on any brand to confirm.