Hulless Popcorn: What Is It & Is It Better Than Regular Popcorn?

Popcorn has been a go-to snack for ages. Who doesn’t love munching on a bucket of popcorn every time you go to the movies?

But there’s one downside to popcorn: a pesky kernel getting stuck in your tooth, or worse, your throat.  

This is where hulless popcorn comes to the rescue. 

But what exactly is hulless popcorn? And can popcorn even be hulless? 

Well, let’s find out: 

Why Is Hulless Popcorn a Myth?

Before we discuss whether hulless popcorn is a myth or not, let’s discuss how popcorn kernels pop first. 

Basically, when you heat up kernels in a microwave or stovetop popcorn popper, the moisture inside them turns into steam and creates pressure so strong that it makes their shells — aka the hulls — burst.

The soft, fluffy interior of the popcorn is now on the outside while the hulls are on the inside. 

With that, you can tell that making popcorn without a hull is almost impossible. You need the hull to build pressure inside the kernel. Otherwise, your popcorn can’t pop and you’ll be left with boxes of unusable kernels.

So, What Is Hulless Popcorn Really?

If hulless popcorn isn’t real, what exactly are brands selling when they claim their popcorn is hulless?

Popcorn that’s labeled “hulless” is essentially just popcorn with smaller kernels. Smaller kernels mean smaller hulls, so you end up with popcorn that’s softer, easier to digest, and less likely to get stuck in your teeth or braces. 

You can think of it as virtually hull-free instead of 100% hulless.

How to Prepare Hulless Popcorn

Hulless popcorn is made exactly the same way as other popcorn varieties. You can pop it in the microwave, use an air popper, or make a huge batch with your Popsmith Popper. It’s easy to make and absolutely delicious when popped with butter. 

Hulless popcorn can also be healthy when you customize it at home. Popcorn is a whole grain and has helpful antioxidants. Those antioxidants can help fight disease and keep your body strong — even more reason why popcorn is the best snack ever.

4 Best Brands of Hulless Popcorn

While there’s no such thing as completely hulless popcorn, there are still brands that advertise their popcorn as hulless. 

These may not be truly hulless, but they do have the smaller hulls we mentioned.

So, if you have beef with big popcorn kernels, give these popcorn brands a try. They make some delicious popcorn you’ll enjoy:

#1 Amish Country Popcorn Medium White Hulless

Image from Amish Country Popcorn

Amish Country Popcorn is a clean brand adored by popcorn lovers. All of their popcorn is grown in Berne, Indiana, and is guaranteed non-GMO and additive-free. 

One of their best sellers is their Medium White Hulless popcorn. These kernels have tender hulls that are quite pleasant to bite into. You may also want to try their Baby White and Ladyfinger flavors.

Their popcorn comes in different sizes. You can try out a 14 oz pack first to see how you like it, and if you end up wanting more, they offer a whopping 25-pound bag — enough for several parties or cozy evenings with a book.

#2 Dutchman’s White Popcorn

Dutchman’s White Popcorn has medium white kernels. It’s vegan, gluten and preservative-free, and may bring back childhood memories.

This white popcorn has a very small hull. It’s actually the closest to hulless out of all the popcorn we tried. When you choose this brand, you won’t have to worry about hard hulls ruining your snack time. 

Grab a four-pound bag of Dutchman’s popcorn on Amazon and you’ll be one happy snacker.

#3 Riehle’s Select Popping Corn Hulless Butter Microwave Popcorn

Image from Riehle's Select Popcorn

If you’re looking for hulless microwave popcorn, Riehle’s is the brand for you. Their microwave popcorn is super simple to make and will upgrade your movie nights thanks to the soft, tender kernels. 

Just don’t get shocked when you pop a bag of Riehle’s popcorn. Spoiler alert: it comes out small. In fact, lots of customer reviews mention the tiny size of the popcorn.

However, we don’t see this as a bad thing. The small size means the hulls are barely noticeable. Hulless popcorn seekers will be happy with this popcorn brand.

#4 Black Jewell Crimson Red Gourmet Popcorn Kernels 

Image from Black Jewell

Black Jewell popcorn not only has a very small hull, but it’s also unique in many other ways. The dark-colored kernels are eye-catching and exciting. 

While the red kernels may pop open to reveal a bright, white center, the popcorn does have a rich and interesting flavor that’s far more intense than other popcorns. You can snag this popcorn in already popped popcorn bags or make the red kernels yourself. 

We also love Black Jewell as a company because they plant pollinator plots to help the honey bee population. They also contribute to pollinator advocacy groups that help make sustainable farming possible. It’s a great popcorn brand with a great cause.

Learn More About All Things Popcorn

True hulless popcorn may not actually exist but there are brands out there that make popcorn with small, practically unnoticeable hulls. You can eat this type of popcorn without worry — no need for a toothpick to take those annoying hulls out of your teeth. 

Let us know which popcorn is your favorite and remember to come back for more interesting popcorn recipes, articles, and inspiration!