How many carbs are in Great Value popcorn? A nutritional breakdown

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

A single serving of plain, air-popped popcorn contains approximately 18 grams of total carbohydrates, much of which is dietary fiber, making it a satiating whole-grain snack. Understanding how many carbs are in Great Value popcorn specifically, however, depends heavily on the product, from simple kernels to heavily flavored microwave bags.

Quick Summary

The carb content of Great Value popcorn varies significantly by product, with butter and flavored microwave options containing higher carbs and fat than unpopped kernels. Net carbs, total carbs minus fiber, offer a clearer picture for low-carb diets and confirm that kernels provide the most control over nutrition.

Key Points

Microwave varieties vary: Great Value's butter-flavored, light butter, and extra butter microwave popcorns have differing fat and calorie content, though similar total carbs per popped serving.
Kernels offer lowest carbs: For the fewest carbs and most control over ingredients, unpopped Great Value kernels are the best option, especially when air-popped at home.
Net carbs are key for low-carb diets: Subtracting fiber from total carbs is the best way to determine the impact on your diet, especially for keto or other low-carb plans.
Flavored popcorn is a high-carb treat: Products like Great Value Caramel Popcorn are high in sugar and should be treated as an indulgence rather than a healthy snack.
Preparation methods matter most: Whether popcorn is air-popped or prepared with added oils and seasonings is the primary factor determining its final nutritional value.

Great Value Popcorn: A Nutritional Overview

Popcorn is a whole-grain food that, in its most basic form, is rich in fiber and antioxidants. The nutritional profile changes dramatically once oils, butter, and flavorings are added. Great Value offers several popcorn varieties, and their carbohydrate counts reflect these differences in preparation and ingredients.

Microwave Popcorn: Convenience with a Carb Trade-off

Great Value's microwave popcorn products offer a quick and easy snack, but the added butter and flavorings significantly impact the carbohydrate and calorie content. For those monitoring their intake, understanding the specific figures for each flavor is crucial.

Butter Flavored Microwave Popcorn: A standard 5-cup popped serving contains approximately 17 grams of total carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber. This results in a net carb count of 15 grams per serving. The fat content is also a factor, coming in at around 9 grams.
Light Butter Flavored Microwave Popcorn: This option offers a slightly lower-carb profile. A 2-tbsp unpopped serving contains 17 grams of total carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber, with a fat content of 4 grams. The total carbs per popped cup can be estimated to be much lower, though still dependent on overall fat absorption during popping. Looking at the total carbs per serving (unpopped) and net carbs shows a slightly better ratio for carb-conscious individuals.
Extra Butter Flavored Microwave Popcorn: As expected, the extra butter option generally contains a higher fat and calorie count, though the total carbohydrate number per 5-cup popped serving remains similar to the standard butter variety at around 17 grams. The fat content jumps to 11 grams per serving due to the additional butter flavoring.
White Cheddar Flavored Popcorn: For a pre-popped snack, the White Cheddar flavor is a tasty, albeit higher-carb, option. A single serving contains 18 grams of total carbohydrates with only 3 grams of dietary fiber, leading to 15 net carbs. This means a higher proportion of the carbs are digested rather than passed through the digestive system.
Caramel Popcorn: This is the highest-carb Great Value popcorn option. With a significant amount of added sugar, one serving contains 44 grams of total carbohydrates, and a hefty 30 grams of sugar. This moves it from a fiber-rich snack to a sugary treat.

Yellow Popping Corn Kernels: Maximum Control

For those seeking the lowest-carb version of Great Value popcorn, the unpopped kernels are the clear winner. By preparing them at home, you have complete control over the type and amount of oil and seasonings used. A 3-tbsp unpopped serving contains 25 grams of total carbohydrates, with an impressive 5 grams of fiber, leaving you with just 20 net carbs. Once popped, this expands into a much larger volume, meaning the carb count per cup is very low. When air-popped without oil, the macronutrient breakdown is mostly carbs and fiber.

Healthy Add-ons vs. High-Carb Toppings

Healthy Add-ons:

Nutritional yeast (for a cheesy flavor with no dairy)
Smoked paprika or chili powder
Dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, dill)
A light mist of olive oil spray
A sprinkle of black pepper

High-Carb Toppings:

Caramel syrup or caramel coating
Excessive butter and salt mixtures
Sugar or cinnamon sugar mixes
Pre-packaged powdered cheese mixes with additives

Comparison of Great Value Popcorn Varieties


Product	Serving Size	Total Carbs	Dietary Fiber	Net Carbs	Notes
Yellow Popping Kernels	3 tbsp (unpopped)	25g	5g	20g	Minimal ingredients, max control over additions. Low carbs per popped cup.
Microwave Butter Flavored	5 cups (popped)	17g	2g	15g	Convenient but with added fat and sodium. Lower fiber than kernels.
Microwave Light Butter	2 tbsp (unpopped)	17g	2g	15g	Slightly less fat than the butter version.
Microwave Extra Butter	5 cups (popped)	17g	2g	15g	Highest fat and calorie count among the microwave options.
White Cheddar Flavored	1 oz (pre-popped)	18g	3g	15g	Pre-popped snack with moderate carbs.
Caramel Popcorn	1.5 cups (pre-popped)	44g	2g	42g	A high-sugar, high-carb treat.

Calculating Net Carbs for Low-Carb Diets

For individuals on low-carb diets, focusing on net carbs is often a priority. The net carb value is calculated by subtracting the grams of dietary fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates. For Great Value popcorn products, this calculation reveals that the unpopped kernels offer the best overall net carb profile, especially when air-popped without additional oils. For example, the Yellow Popping Corn kernels provide 20 grams of net carbs per unpopped serving, which, when popped, equates to a very low net carb count per cup.

Conclusion: Which Great Value Popcorn is Right for You?

The amount of carbs in Great Value popcorn is not a single number but a spectrum that depends on the product and preparation. For a health-conscious, low-carb snack, purchasing the unpopped kernels and preparing them at home with minimal oil is the best approach. This method maximizes the whole-grain and fiber benefits while minimizing added fats, sodium, and excess carbs. However, for those seeking convenience, the Light Butter microwave variety offers a decent middle-ground. Ultimately, checking the nutrition label on each specific product and considering portion size is the most reliable way to monitor your carbohydrate intake. For more information on the health benefits of whole-grain popcorn, see this article on Healthline(https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/popcorn-nutrition-and-health).

Frequently Asked Questions

The Great Value Yellow Popping Corn kernels have the lowest carbs per cup, especially when air-popped without added oil or butter.

While air-popped popcorn can fit into a keto diet in moderation, most Great Value microwave popcorn products are not ideal due to the higher carb and fat content from added ingredients. The net carbs should be carefully monitored.

To calculate net carbs, subtract the dietary fiber (in grams) from the total carbohydrates (in grams). For example, if a serving has 17g total carbs and 2g fiber, the net carbs are 15g.

Yes, flavored varieties like White Cheddar or Caramel contain added ingredients that increase the overall carbohydrate count compared to basic kernels.

Both the light butter and regular butter microwave varieties have a similar amount of total carbs per popped serving, but the light butter version contains less fat and calories overall.

Yes, plain air-popped popcorn can be a good snack for diabetics due to its low glycemic index and high fiber content. However, flavored or sweetened versions should be avoided.

You can't change the carb content of pre-packaged microwave popcorn, but you can control your portion size. For a truly low-carb option, use the unpopped kernels and add your own seasonings.