Is Popcorn Vegan?
Oftentimes, the biggest problem vegans face is dealing with their dietary limitations in social settings. The movie theater is one of the main places where plant-based eaters may feel left out. That’s because options typically include only buttery popcorn, hot dogs, cheese fries, nachos, or other non-vegan snacks.
However, not all popcorn is made with real butter. After all, this ingredient can be expensive, so movie theaters may cut costs by going for margarine, instead. Store-bought popcorn may also be made dairy-free with vegetable oils! This can apply to both pre-popped and microwave varieties. Keep reading to find out whether your go-to popcorn brands are vegan-friendly or not.
Ingredients Commonly Found In Popcorn
Popcorn Kernels
Whole grain popcorn kernels are always 100% vegan, and are actually an excellent source of fiber!
Butter
If you want to keep your diet dairy-free, you'll need to skip any popcorn varieties that contain real butter from dairy milk. A quick way to check is by reviewing the allergen statement, which must mention the presence of any dairy ingredients!
Natural Flavors
This popcorn ingredient can be tricky, as it covers dairy products as well as plant-based ingredients. When in doubt, simply check the allergens for any mention of dairy, or look for a vegan symbol on the package to be sure it was made without milk, butter, or cheese.
Vegetable Oils
Vegan-friendly popcorn is made with vegetable oils instead of butter. Nowadays, even the most popular brands often swap real butter for canola, coconut, or avocado oil!
Cheese Powder
Although many store-bought popcorn brands use real cheese on their kernels, there's an increasing number of cheesy popcorn flavors made with nutritional yeast, instead!
Salt
Some popcorn brands can go a little heavy on the salt, so you may want to check the nutrition label for sodium content. Nevertheless, this ingredient is totally vegan, so snack away!
Is Movie Theater Popcorn Vegan?
As mentioned, finding movie theater snacks that are dairy-free can be a major lifesaver for vegans who struggle with their diet in social settings. So, let’s find out which theaters offer vegan-friendly popcorn!
Is AMC Popcorn Vegan?
Luckily, regular AMC popcorn is 100% vegan! However, the cheese and buttery varieties are not. So, you can stick with the original made simply with corn, vegetable oil, and salt for a vegan-friendly treat.
Is Regal Popcorn Vegan?
Regal Cinemas actually use coconut oil on their popcorn instead of butter! So, is Regal movie theater popcorn vegan? The answer is a big YES. Enjoy this vegan-friendly snack guilt-free as you watch the latest films!
Is Cinemark Popcorn Vegan?
Cinemark is the only movie theater chain in our list that uses animal products in all of their popcorn varieties. This means that sadly, this one is a no-go. Luckily, many of the store-bought popcorn products we'll mention next are totally vegan and dairy-free! So, maybe take along some popcorn of your own?
Is Microwave Popcorn Vegan?
Microwave popcorn is not a snack we recommend, mainly due to the health issues surrounding it. Those who frequently eat microwave popcorn have displayed higher levels of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their bloodstream. That’s because the food wrappers the kernels are enclosed in often contain PFAS to keep them from sticking.
These are manmade chemicals that are also known as “forever chemicals”, meaning they break down very slowly. High levels of PFAS in the blood and tissues have been linked to infertility, cancer, asthma, high blood pressure, and more. So, while some microwave popcorn varieties are vegan-friendly, we believe it’s important you are informed about these issues, and consume it at your own risk.
Is Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Vegan?
Not all Orville Redenbacher Popcorn varieties are dairy-free. However, their Kettle Corn, SmartPop! Kettle Corn, Naturals Light Simply Salted, Naturals Simply Salted, and Avocado Oil flavors, as well as their Gourmet Kernels are all vegan-friendly.
Is Pop Secret Popcorn Vegan?
Pop Secret actually carries eight vegan options! These include their 94% Fat-Free Kettle Corn, Sweet n' Crunchy Kettle Corn, Sweet n' Crunchy Caramel, Sea Salt Kettle Corn, Sea Salt, Pumpkin Spice, Popfetti, and Kidz First Order Kettle Corn.
Is Kirkland Popcorn Vegan?
Kirkland's Signature Popcorn contains dairy ingredients. This means it would not be suitable for the vegan diet.
Is Act 2 Popcorn Vegan?
Act II Popcorn carries zero vegan flavors. All of their popcorn features dairy ingredients in their ’natural flavors.’ So, those on a vegan diet may want to skip this brand altogether.
Is Pre-Popped Popcorn Vegan?
Out of the three varieties — movie theater, microwave, and pre-popped — this final option is likely the healthiest. It can be made with just corn kernels, oil, and salt, and is packaged without PFAS! Better yet, you can easily view the nutrition and ingredients on the label, which is of course not the case when it comes to movie theater snacks.
The best pre-popped popcorn is made with organic corn, organic olive oil or avocado oil, and minimal salt. However, it all depends on what is available and accessible to you! Check out the options below to find out which pre-popped popcorn varieties are vegan-friendly.
Is Smartfood Popcorn Vegan?
Sadly, the only vegan popcorn option carried by Smartfood is their Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn flavor. All of their other flavors contain dairy products.
Is Skinny Pop Popcorn Vegan?
Skinny Pop's Original, White Cheddar, Sea Salt and Pepper, Twist of Lime, Sweet and Salty Kettle, and Sweet Vanilla Kettle flavors are all vegan-friendly. You'll only want to avoid their Aged White Cheddar and Real Butter varieties to keep it dairy-free.
Is Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn Vegan?
Boom Chicka Pop currently carries five vegan options. These include their Sea Salt, Avocado Oil, Light Kettle Corn, Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn, and Salted Maple Kettle Corn flavors.
Is Garrett Popcorn Vegan?
The Garrett Popcorn chain offers a wide variety of flavors, but most of them contain animal products. Their vegan options include their Plain Popcorns made with butterfly kernels and mushroom, and their Butter Popcorns which are made with coconut oil, salt, and popcorn kernels.