What is the healthy popcorn on Shark Tank? Exploring Top Contenders

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 92% of U.S. households consume popcorn annually, cementing its status as a quintessential snack. For health-conscious snackers and business enthusiasts alike, the question of what is the healthy popcorn on Shark Tank? has multiple impressive answers, featuring innovative entrepreneurs and naturally better-for-you snacks.

Quick Summary

Several entrepreneurs have pitched healthy popcorn-related products on Shark Tank. This article details Pipcorn's heirloom mini popcorn, Like Air's melt-in-your-mouth puffcorn alternative, and Bohana's popped water lily seeds. It provides nutritional comparisons and examines their business journeys after the show.

Key Points

Pipcorn's Heirloom Corn: Pipsnacks, the company behind Pipcorn, uses a rare heirloom corn variety that pops smaller and has a delicate, almost undetectable hull, offering a better texture.
Simple, Clean Ingredients: Healthy popcorns on Shark Tank, like Pipcorn, emphasize simple, non-GMO ingredients and use healthier oils like sunflower or coconut oil, avoiding artificial flavors.
Successful Shark Tank Pitches: Pipcorn and Like Air Puffcorn both successfully secured deals on Shark Tank from veteran investors, which helped propel their brand recognition and retail expansion.
Healthy Alternatives: In addition to traditional popcorn, Shark Tank featured innovative, healthy alternatives like Like Air puffcorn (no kernels) and Bohana (popped water lily seeds).
Nutritional Value: When prepared correctly, popcorn is a healthy whole-grain snack high in fiber and antioxidants, which was a core selling point for these brands.
Post-Shark Tank Impact: The exposure from the show significantly boosted sales for Pipcorn and Like Air, enabling wider distribution in major grocery stores across the U.S..

Pipcorn: The Bite-Sized Heirloom Revolution

In 2013, siblings Jen and Jeff Martin, along with Jeff's wife Teresa, pitched their brand, formerly called Pipcorn, on Shark Tank. They secured a deal with Barbara Corcoran, and their company, now known as Pip's, has since seen phenomenal growth. What makes Pipcorn stand out as a healthy choice is its foundational ingredient: a special variety of rare, heirloom corn. This corn pops into smaller kernels with more delicate, thin hulls that are less likely to get stuck in your teeth. Beyond the unique texture, the nutritional profile and clean ingredients list are what make it a healthy option.

The Nutritional Advantages of Pipcorn

Pipcorn's commitment to simple, clean ingredients is central to its appeal. Their basic Sea Salt variety is made with just non-GMO heirloom popcorn, sunflower oil, and sea salt. This simplicity avoids the long list of artificial additives and saturated fats found in many conventional snack products. The use of non-GMO corn and clean oils, such as sunflower and olive oil, further enhances its healthy profile. Furthermore, Pipcorn's heirloom corn boasts more fiber and antioxidants compared to commercially grown hybrid corn. These factors combine to offer a snack that's not only tasty but also genuinely better-for-you.

The Impact of the Shark Tank Deal

Barbara Corcoran's investment provided Pipcorn with the capital and mentorship to expand exponentially. Post-Shark Tank, the company scaled up production by partnering with co-packers and significantly increased its retail footprint. The "Shark Tank effect" led to a surge in brand awareness and sales, solidifying Pipcorn's position in major retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger, and Sprouts. The company's journey is a prime example of how the right exposure and strategic partnership can transform a niche healthy snack into a national success story.

Like Air Baked Puffcorn: The Kernel-Free Alternative

Appearing on Season 15 of Shark Tank, siblings Steve Atieh and Allison Lin pitched Like Air Baked Puffcorn, a healthier, melt-in-your-mouth alternative to traditional popcorn. They successfully landed a deal with Sharks Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban, who appreciated their innovative approach to snacking. Like Air differentiates itself by offering the flavor and texture of popcorn without the hard kernels or hulls, making it a safer and less messy snack, especially for children.

A New Spin on Healthy Snacking

Like Air's puffcorn provides a guilt-free indulgence, with a low-calorie and low-carb count per serving. This makes it an appealing option for those monitoring their calorie intake or seeking a lighter snack. The brand’s focus on avoiding hard kernels makes it a particularly attractive snack for families with young children or those with sensitive teeth. Following their Shark Tank appearance, Like Air saw a significant boost in sales and expanded its retail presence nationwide.

Bohana: The Popcorn Alternative from Water Lily Seeds

Another innovative snack featured on Shark Tank was Bohana, which sold snacks made from popped water lily seeds. Co-founder Nadine Habayeb pitched the product, highlighting its high protein and low fat content compared to traditional popcorn. While Bohana secured a deal on the show, the brand was later acquired and its website and social media channels eventually went silent. Despite its shorter lifespan, Bohana helped popularize the ancient Indian super snack, demonstrating consumer interest in healthier, alternative snacks.

Popcorn and its Nutritional Benefits

Generally speaking, popcorn can be a very healthy snack when prepared correctly. As a whole grain, it is rich in fiber and antioxidants. The key to keeping it healthy lies in the preparation method and toppings. Air-popping with minimal additions is always the best route. On the other hand, pre-packaged or movie theatre popcorn often contains excessive amounts of unhealthy oils, salt, and artificial ingredients.

How to Choose Healthy Popcorn

Here are a few tips to make sure your popcorn snack is as healthy as possible:

Choose air-popped over oil-popped. This significantly reduces calorie and fat content. If you must use oil, opt for healthier, anti-inflammatory oils like coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.
Read the ingredients list. Look for products with a short, simple list of ingredients, just like Pipcorn, LesserEvil, or SkinnyPop. Avoid those with artificial flavors, excessive salt, or trans fats.
Mind your toppings. Instead of dripping butter, try a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, or use a light dusting of spices like paprika, chili powder, or cinnamon.
Consider the source. Brands that prioritize organic, non-GMO ingredients often provide a cleaner, more nutritious product. The heirloom corn used by Pipcorn, for instance, offers superior nutrition and flavor.

Comparison of Healthy Shark Tank Popcorn Snacks


Feature	Pipcorn	Like Air Puffcorn	Bohana (Water Lily Pops)
Product	Mini Heirloom Popcorn	Baked Puffcorn (kernel-free)	Popped Water Lily Seeds
Key Selling Point	Heirloom corn provides smaller kernels and fewer hulls.	Melt-in-your-mouth texture without hard kernels.	High protein, low fat, and fewer calories.
Main Ingredients	Non-GMO heirloom corn, sunflower oil, sea salt.	Cornmeal, sunflower oil, salt, and flavoring.	Popped water lily seeds, oil, and spices.
Shark Tank Deal	Barbara Corcoran, $200k for 10%.	Lori Greiner & Mark Cuban, deal for equity stake.	Kevin O'Leary, $200k loan for 8% equity.
Business Status	Thriving and expanded into major retail.	Growing successfully, expanding retail footprint.	Ceased operations after acquisition.

Conclusion

For those wondering what is the healthy popcorn on Shark Tank, the answer includes a few innovative and health-conscious brands. Pipcorn, with its focus on heirloom corn and simple ingredients, and Like Air Puffcorn, with its clever kernel-free design, are two successful and lasting examples. Both leveraged their appearance on the show to educate consumers and build their businesses significantly. While popcorn can be a very healthy snack, the key is to choose products with minimal processing, simple ingredients, and healthy fats, regardless of whether they appeared on national television. Pipcorn is a great starting point for those looking for a clean, whole-grain option with a proven track record. For more information, you can visit the official Pip's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pipcorn (Pipsnacks) appeared on Shark Tank and secured a deal with Barbara Corcoran for $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity. Like Air Baked Puffcorn also secured a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner.

Pipcorn is special because it is made from mini heirloom corn kernels that produce smaller, more delicate popcorn with thinner, fewer hulls, meaning less of it gets stuck in your teeth. It is also made with simple, clean ingredients.

Pipcorn’s heirloom corn has a superior nutritional profile with more fiber and antioxidants than commercially grown popcorn. By using simple ingredients and clean oils, it offers a healthier alternative to many conventional snack options.

Like Air puffcorn is a kernel-free alternative to traditional popcorn. It is low in calories and carbohydrates and lacks the hard, indigestible kernels, making it a healthy and safe snack option, especially for children.

Bohana, which sold popped water lily seeds, secured a deal on Shark Tank but was later acquired by another company. Its online presence and retail availability have since ceased, but it helped popularize the super snack.

Popcorn becomes unhealthy when it is topped with excessive butter, salt, or artificial flavorings. Many pre-packaged and microwave popcorns contain unhealthy vegetable oils and preservatives that diminish their nutritional value.

To make healthy popcorn at home, air-pop your own kernels to avoid oil and excess calories. You can also use a small amount of healthy oil like coconut oil. Lightly season it with sea salt or other natural spices instead of butter.