Does popcorn have gluten?

Popcorn is the name given to corn kernels that puff up or “pop” when heated. It makes a great light snack and can be eaten plain, sprinkled with salt or sugar, doused in butter, covered in caramel or coated in any other flavour sauce you fancy. 

Corn kernels are naturally gluten free, and as popcorn is simply popped corn kernels, it is naturally gluten free too. However, some commercially packaged and/or flavoured popcorn may not be gluten free – see below. 

Some companies process and package their popcorn in facilities and with equipment that is also used to handle gluten-containing foods, thereby exposing the popcorn to cross-contamination. Some other companies may also use gluten as a stabiliser during the popcorn production process or as a carrier substance for flavourings. 

It is therefore essential to look out for a “gluten free” label when purchasing popcorn, or any other indication that a given pack or brand is guaranteed to be fully gluten free, especially when buying flavoured popcorn. 

Popcorn comes in several different types and forms. Among the most popular are: 

Plain popcorn 

This is the pure, popped corn kernel, nothing more, nothing less. 

Flavoured popcorn 

This is plain popcorn that has been coated in a sauce, seasoning or spice after popping. The number of different popcorn flavours is practically limitless but the most common are salted popcorn, sweet popcorn, buttery popcorn and caramel popcorn. 

Microwave popcorn 

This is simply popcorn that is popped in the microwave.  

Kettle corn 

A sweet and salty popcorn that is traditionally made in large cast iron or copper kettles, hence the name. It is made by covering the corn kernels in sugar before they pop then sprinkling with salt afterwards. 

Movie theatre popcorn 

The popcorn you get at the cinema or in movie theatres (depending on what part of the world you’re in). It often comes in large, transparent plastic vats and is served in paper bags or buckets. The usual flavours are sweet, salted or plain with your choice of custom topping. 

All of these types of popcorn can be bought pre-prepared in shops or prepared from scratch at home with the exception of movie theatre popcorn, which, as the name would suggest, can be bought only from the place itself. 

Like popcorn itself, movie theatre popcorn will generally be gluten free. However, each movie theatre will have a specific brand of popcorn and way of processing and/or dispensing it. To be sure that the popcorn on offer where you are is gluten free, you will need to check the allergy information available on the venue’s website or speak to their management. Most cinemas will have a readily shareable list of the allergens present in their products. 

When buying popcorn, make sure the packaging says the popcorn has been made with gluten free ingredients and is free from the risk of cross-contamination. Unless a packet or source of popcorn specifically confirms that it’s gluten free, our advice is not to risk it.  

Similarly, be wary of purchasing popcorn in bulk, from self-service stations or from any place where popcorn is served with a shovel. If the seller cannot guarantee that the popcorn, the containers or the serving shovel have not been exposed to contamination from gluten-containing popcorn or foods, then it’s best to steer clear. 

Luckily, it’s really easy to pop your own corn at home and top with your favourite gluten free toppings. If you want to mix things up, you could swap the corn for another popped gluten free grain, such as amaranth or sorghum. 

Alternatively, you can always count on Schär for other ready-to-eat gluten free cinema snacks, such as our pocket-sized pretzels (great for sneaking in) or our devilishly delicious Choco Balls (easy to grab in the dark).