How Many Calories Are In a Small Bag of Pop Secret Popcorn?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to product listings from retailers like Kroger, a Pop Secret 100 Calorie Butter snack bag contains exactly 100 calories. However, the total calories in a 'small bag' of Pop Secret popcorn can vary significantly depending on the specific product line and whether it is a single-serving or multi-serving size.

Quick Summary

The calories in a small bag of Pop Secret popcorn depend on the product, ranging from 100 calories for the specific 100-Calorie snack size bags to over 300 for varieties that contain multiple servings per pouch.

Key Points

100-Calorie Snack Bags: These single-serving bags contain exactly 100 calories, as stated on the package.
Standard Bags: What many consider a 'small' bag is often a multi-serving size with significantly more calories, typically over 400 for the entire bag.
Serving Size Confusion: Always check the nutrition label for calories per serving vs. calories per entire bag to avoid overestimating your intake.
Ingredient Impact: Added fats and flavorings, like palm oil and butter flavoring, drastically increase the calorie and fat content in microwave popcorn.
Healthier Alternatives: For the lowest calorie option, consider air-popping plain kernels and seasoning them yourself.
94% Fat Free Options: Pop Secret's 94% Fat Free snack bags are a lower-fat choice but still contain 120 calories per bag.

Understanding the "Small Bag" Label

When trying to determine how many calories are in a small bag of Pop Secret popcorn, it is essential to look beyond the general term "small." The company offers several products that might be considered a small bag, but their nutritional content differs dramatically. For example, a box of Pop Secret can contain multiple small bags designed to be single servings, or it may contain a standard-sized pouch with several servings inside. Misinterpreting the label can lead to a significant miscalculation of your caloric intake.

The 100-Calorie Snack Bag

For calorie-conscious snackers, the most straightforward option is the dedicated Pop Secret 100-Calorie Butter Flavor Snack Bag. As the name suggests, this is a single-serving portion with a precisely controlled calorie count.

Calories: 100 kcal
Serving Size: 1 bag (1.12 oz)
Key Feature: Designed for controlled portioning, this variety eliminates the guesswork for those tracking their intake.

The Standard "Small" Bag

Many consumers buy a box of what they consider "small" microwave popcorn bags. These are typically the standard size, and they contain multiple servings. For instance, a regular Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter bag, which weighs around 90g, contains approximately 455 calories for the entire bag. The nutrition label will state the calories per serving (e.g., 130 calories per 2 tbsp unpopped) but the entire bag contains much more.

Calories: ~455 kcal (for a 90g bag)
Serving Size: The label may indicate 3.5 servings per bag.
Key Feature: Offers a larger portion, but requires careful attention to serving sizes to accurately count calories.

The 94% Fat Free Option

Pop Secret also offers a 94% Fat Free Butter popcorn in both standard and snack sizes. A single small bag of the 94% Fat Free variety contains 120 calories. This is another instance where the size and specific product line dictate the calorie count.

Calories: 120 kcal (for a snack-size bag)
Serving Size: 1 small bag (42g)
Key Feature: A slightly higher-calorie option than the 100-Calorie bag, but lower in fat and overall calories than a standard bag.

How Added Ingredients Impact Calorie Count

The discrepancy in calories between different Pop Secret products stems from the ingredients used to create their distinct flavors. While plain, air-popped popcorn is naturally low in calories, microwave popcorn adds flavorings and fats. Pop Secret uses ingredients like palm oil, which adds fat and calories to the final product. Higher-calorie varieties, such as the Movie Theater Butter, contain more of these added fats and seasonings compared to the 100-Calorie and 94% Fat Free options. The extra butter flavorings can significantly increase the total calories, especially when considering the entire bag. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also notes that ingredients like palm oil can contribute to unhealthy trans fats in processed foods.

Pop Secret Small Bags: A Nutritional Comparison


Feature	100-Calorie Snack Bag	Standard Bag (e.g., Movie Theater Butter)	94% Fat Free Snack Bag
Bag Weight	1.12 oz	3.2 oz (approx. 90g)	1.5 oz (approx. 42g)
Total Calories (per bag)	100 kcal	455 kcal	120 kcal
Servings per Bag	1	3.5	1
Primary Fat Source	Palm Oil	Palm Oil	Palm Oil
Dietary Fiber (per bag)	2g	7g	~4g (estimate based on weight)
Sodium (per bag)	220mg	520mg	270mg
Added Flavor	Butter Flavor	Movie Theater Butter Flavor	Butter Flavor

Tips for a Smarter Popcorn Snack

When reaching for a bag of microwave popcorn, a few simple strategies can help you manage your calorie intake and nutritional goals. The first is to always read the label carefully, distinguishing between calorie information per serving and per bag. A standard bag can seem small but contain more calories than intended. Secondly, consider if the added flavorings and fats are necessary for your dietary preferences. For a healthier alternative, try popping your own kernels. Air-popped popcorn with light seasoning provides the crunchy satisfaction without the high calorie and sodium load of many microwave versions. Opting for lighter seasonings or even nutritional yeast can further reduce calories while still delivering a satisfying flavor. Finally, portion control is key. If you are eating a standard, multi-serving bag, use a bowl to measure out a single serving rather than eating directly from the bag to avoid over-consumption.

Conclusion

While a true small bag of Pop Secret designed for a single serving, such as the 100-Calorie option, contains 100 calories, the total can be much higher for other products. The key difference lies in the product line and whether the bag is truly a single portion or a larger, multi-serving size. By carefully checking nutritional labels and understanding how added ingredients impact the total calorie count, you can make an informed choice that fits your dietary needs without sacrificing the satisfying crunch of popcorn. For the most control, consider the dedicated snack-size options or prepare your own plain popcorn at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a standard-size bag of Pop Secret, even one that appears small, contains significantly more than 100 calories. For example, a 90g Movie Theater Butter bag has approximately 455 calories.

Check the box packaging. If the box says "100 Calorie Bags" or "Snack Size," they are single-serving. Standard boxes will have larger individual bags and the nutrition panel will list multiple servings per container.

The 100-Calorie bag is a healthier option for portion control compared to standard microwave bags, but like other microwave popcorns, it still contains added fat and flavorings. For the absolute healthiest choice, plain air-popped kernels are best.

For the specific 100-Calorie Homestyle Snack Size bag, the popped calories are 100. However, a standard Homestyle bag has approximately 390 calories for the entire bag.

Added flavorings, especially those with butter and oils, substantially increase the calorie, fat, and sodium content of popcorn. For example, the rich flavoring of Movie Theater Butter popcorn contributes to a much higher calorie count than a plain kernel.

Microwave popcorn, including Pop Secret, can be high in sodium due to the salt and butter flavorings added. For instance, a standard Pop Secret bag can have over 500mg of sodium. The 100-Calorie bags are a lower-sodium alternative at 220mg.

Yes, the 94% Fat Free snack bag is a lower-fat and lower-calorie option compared to the standard varieties. A single bag has 120 calories, which is significantly less than the 300+ calories found in a standard multi-serving bag.