Popcorn calorie content varies significantly depending on how it is prepared and served:
- Air-popped popcorn contains about 30 to 31 calories per cup (approximately 8 grams), making it a low-calorie snack option
- A small bag of plain, air-popped popcorn (around 31 grams) typically contains about 110 calories
- Movie theater or buttered popcorn can be much higher in calories; for example, a large bucket with butter and seasonings can exceed 1,000 calories
- Oil-popped popcorn has slightly more calories, about 35 calories per cup, and lightly buttered popcorn is roughly 80 calories per cup
- Pre-popped sea salt popcorn has about 140 calories for 4 cups, and microwave sea salt popcorn has about 170 calories for 3.5 cups popped
- Packaged popcorn bags often list calories per serving and per bag; for example, one bag might have 2.5 servings at 170 calories each, totaling 425 calories per bag
In summary, plain air-popped popcorn is low in calories (~30 per cup), but adding oil, butter, or flavorings significantly increases the calorie count. Serving size and preparation method are key factors influencing the total calories in popcorn
