Every Flavor Of SkinnyPop, Ranked Worst To Best
ZikG/Shutterstock By Sophia Hart/Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 4:29 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Whether it’s in a classic red and white box at your local movie theater, or hot and fresh from a microwavable bag, popcorn is a well-loved snack that’s great to munch on as you watch your favorite movies and shows. These perfectly-popped corn kernels are delicious on their own, but they also come in all sorts of flavors and seasonings, from salt and butter to sweet chocolate and caramel. With hundreds of delicious and unique takes on this iconic treat, there’s a popcorn variation for everyone out there who can enjoy it. (Sorry, readers with braces.)
While popcorn is delicious when hot and drenched in melted butter, there’s no denying that bagged store-bought popcorn is an incredibly convenient (and often lighter) option. One popular brand is SkinnyPop, a non-GMO, artificial flavor-free snack available in flavors both familiar and inventive, per its website. Not sure which option to start with? This is our ranking of 15 different SkinnyPop flavors, ordered from which ones to skip to which ones to reach for to solve all your hanger woes.
- Everything Bagel Minicakes
Walmart
Who doesn’t love a hot, toasted bagel? Sometimes referred to as a “healthier donut,” this round carb is perfect for breakfast sandwiches, and comes in a wide range of flavors, just as popcorn does. Among the different kinds of bagels are everything bagels, which are typically topped with … well, everything! From poppy seeds to onions, these bagels are super flavorful, and when toasted, are one of the most satisfying breakfast items ever. If someone manages to capture this flavor in snack form, then they should receive some sort of food award. SkinnyPop tried to do this with their Everything Bagel Popcorn Mini Cakes, but we can’t say they succeeded.
Everything bagels are able to balance all of the seasonings they’re topped with, resulting in a tasty experience with every bite and leaving you completely satisfied. This SkinnyPop popcorn does none of those things, and the only reason we’re even comparing this to an everything bagel is because of the name. This snack was overly salted, to the point that water was a necessity to take even a single bite. With nothing positive to say about this flavor, we can’t recommend it to anyone who wants to keep themselves and their taste buds safe.
- Aged White Cheddar
Costco
There’s a common saying that with age comes wisdom, which not only can apply to people, but food as well. In terms of cheese, when a product has been aged longer, it tends to have a sharper, more pronounced flavor, which is perfect for macaroni and cheese dishes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and quesadillas — but we can’t say that it works all that well for SkinnyPop’s Aged White Cheddar popcorn. The Aged White Cheddar popcorn comes in a bright yellow and orange striped bag, as if trying to resemble the color of the yellow cheddar cheese that we all know and love. Despite this, we really wish this cheese product didn’t exist.
Even though this claims to be made with real cheese, we’ve had much better products that don’t have any real cheese, but taste ten times more delicious and cheesier than this product. While aged cheddar is supposed to be sharp, this product tasted bland, and we couldn’t really taste any cheese on the popcorn. Not only that, but some reviewers on the SkinnyPop website claim that the flavor is somewhat sour, which is not how good cheddar cheese should taste. If you want something that’s super cheesy and delicious, this popcorn product is far from that. We suggest you save yourself the hassle, and just make yourself some Kraft Mac and Cheese instead.
- Twist of Lime
Hy-Vee
Who doesn’t love a hint of lime in a pie or an ice cold soda? Lime is an excellent citrus that adds a nice tang to numerous beverages and various dishes. While it would be an acquired taste, we could see the popcorn and lime combo working for some people — if done right. SkinnyPop’s Twist of Lime popcorn, unfortunately, is unable to balance this flavor combination out, and thus, we feel that it doesn’t deserve the limelight.
Limes are a bitter fruit, and we just don’t see how SkinnyPop thought it was a good idea to pair the flavor with a salty popcorn. If the popcorn wasn’t as salty, and more like a kettle corn, we could see this working, but the Twist of Lime popcorn was pretty close to awful. Popcorn can get stuck between your teeth, but this snack had a tangy aftertaste that stayed in our mouths long after the popcorn did. Only the most avid lime lovers might enjoy the flavor of this SkinnyPop popcorn.
- Sweet and Salty Kettle
Jordxeeee/Shutterstock
The issue we had with many of the lower ranked SkinnyPop flavors on this list was that they were either too bland or too salty. Salt is one of the greatest things to bless kitchens, though when used in excess amounts, it can become overwhelming, sometimes making you feel like you’re biting into a block of salt instead of actual food! You don’t need to be a culinary expert to know when and how much salt to add to a snack or dish to make it taste great. While most of the saltier SkinnyPop popcorns disappointed us, their Sweet and Salty Kettle Popped Popcorn blew us away with just how surprisingly good they tasted.
Because it is kettle corn, this snack is naturally sweeter than normal popcorn. Due to this, the sweet and salty flavors of this popped product, while prevalent, were surprisingly decent. While the sugar overtook the saltiness of this snack, it was rather refreshing compared to the other overly-salted popcorn. In terms of flavorful kettle corn, this might not be the best of the best, but in terms of SkinnyPop treats, don’t bash it until you try it.
- Sweet Vanilla Kettle
SkinnyPop
Just because it’s usually salty and savory, sweeter popcorn treats are a unique snack or dessert. Kettle corn is a lot like regular popcorn, and is still made with a great salty crunch, though it is also combined with the wonderful sweetness of sugar in the form of a nice glazed coating. This next flavor of SkinnyPop is a kettle corn variation of their popped product: their Sweet Vanilla Kettle Popped Popcorn. This sweet snack is sold in a pretty pastel pink and white striped bag, and has real vanilla bean listed as one of the ingredients.
This vanilla flavored kettle corn is not only the sweetest of SkinnyPop’s products, but also super tasty. There are only eight grams of sugar per serving, so it isn’t the most unhealthy dessert you can have, yet it still manages to balance out the sweet and salty flavors any good kettle corn has. Because it was not overly drenched in sugar, we could definitely pick up the vanilla in this snack, though the flavor was more mild. If you prefer an overly prominent, more flavorful kettle corn, then you might have to look elsewhere, though we felt that this snack was a wonderful, healthier harmony of flavors.
- Cinnamon Sugar Minicakes
Hy-Vee
Cinnamon might not be the sweetest of seasonings, but that’s likely why we love to have it in pancakes, muffins, and even in savory dishes, as it does add a sweetness to any recipe in a non-overbearing way. You could add cinnamon to almost anything to make whatever you’re having 50 times better. The same can be said about SkinnyPop’s Cinnamon & Sugar Popcorn Mini Cakes, which are described as small popcorn cakes that are made with a hint of cinnamon and sugar. While sweeter popcorn is more synonymous with kettle corn, we found that these small rice cake-like chips were way more than a simple snack.
These mini cakes have a fantastic cinnamon aroma and taste. This SkinnyPop snack is made with not only sugar and cinnamon, which adds a nice, mildly sweet flavor, but also sea salt, which isn’t too prevalent, but balances out the use of sugar in a brilliant way. There isn’t too much sugar either, as the snack only contains three grams per serving. Because of this, the final result is a cinnamon-y chip that isn’t overbearingly sweet, and full of flavor. If you’re looking for a healthy, light cinnamon snack, then these popcorn chips are perfect for you.
- BBQ Popcorn Chips
Walmart
Who doesn’t love a crisp pack of barbecue chips to pair with a burger or cold cut sandwich? Whether you get Lays, Kettle Brand, or Pringles BBQ flavored chips, there’s no denying that the smoky kick of flavor that comes with these chips is binge-worthy. If you’re looking to binge on something slightly healthier, but with the same barbecue taste, then look no further than SkinnyPop’s BBQ Popcorn Chips. This airy snack food is a nice orange shade, reminiscent of the brilliant flames of a grill. Not only does the color match a quality BBQ chip, but the texture of the chip is surprisingly on point as well, albeit a bit more popcorn-like.
These chips don’t seem to be too popular online, with less than 15 reviews on the products actual website. Despite this, those who have had the opportunity to try these chips know that each crisp packs a whole lot of flavor. Light, salty (but not too salty), and with a hint of spice, these were our favorite chips offered by the SkinnyPop brand. If you asked us to substitute our Lays BBQ chips with a bag of these, we would certainly be able to tell the difference, but we wouldn’t mind the swap because we really enjoy this wonderfully smokey snack.
Every Flavor Of SkinnyPop, Ranked Worst To Best
ZikG/Shutterstock
By Sophia Hart/Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 4:29 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Whether it’s in a classic red and white box at your local movie theater, or hot and fresh from a microwavable bag, popcorn is a well-loved snack that’s great to munch on as you watch your favorite movies and shows. These perfectly-popped corn kernels are delicious on their own, but they also come in all sorts of flavors and seasonings, from salt and butter to sweet chocolate and caramel. With hundreds of delicious and unique takes on this iconic treat, there’s a popcorn variation for everyone out there who can enjoy it. (Sorry, readers with braces.)
While popcorn is delicious when hot and drenched in melted butter, there’s no denying that bagged store-bought popcorn is an incredibly convenient (and often lighter) option. One popular brand is SkinnyPop, a non-GMO, artificial flavor-free snack available in flavors both familiar and inventive, per its website. Not sure which option to start with? This is our ranking of 15 different SkinnyPop flavors, ordered from which ones to skip to which ones to reach for to solve all your hanger woes.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
While popcorn is delicious when hot and drenched in melted butter, there’s no denying that bagged store-bought popcorn is an incredibly convenient (and often lighter) option. One popular brand is SkinnyPop, a non-GMO, artificial flavor-free snack available in flavors both familiar and inventive, per its website. Not sure which option to start with? This is our ranking of 15 different SkinnyPop flavors, ordered from which ones to skip to which ones to reach for to solve all your hanger woes.
15. Real Butter
SkinnyPop
14. Everything Bagel Minicakes
Walmart
Who doesn’t love a hot, toasted bagel? Sometimes referred to as a “healthier donut,” this round carb is perfect for breakfast sandwiches, and comes in a wide range of flavors, just as popcorn does. Among the different kinds of bagels are everything bagels, which are typically topped with … well, everything! From poppy seeds to onions, these bagels are super flavorful, and when toasted, are one of the most satisfying breakfast items ever. If someone manages to capture this flavor in snack form, then they should receive some sort of food award. SkinnyPop tried to do this with their Everything Bagel Popcorn Mini Cakes, but we can’t say they succeeded.
Everything bagels are able to balance all of the seasonings they’re topped with, resulting in a tasty experience with every bite and leaving you completely satisfied. This SkinnyPop popcorn does none of those things, and the only reason we’re even comparing this to an everything bagel is because of the name. This snack was overly salted, to the point that water was a necessity to take even a single bite. With nothing positive to say about this flavor, we can’t recommend it to anyone who wants to keep themselves and their taste buds safe.
Everything bagels are able to balance all of the seasonings they’re topped with, resulting in a tasty experience with every bite and leaving you completely satisfied. This SkinnyPop popcorn does none of those things, and the only reason we’re even comparing this to an everything bagel is because of the name. This snack was overly salted, to the point that water was a necessity to take even a single bite. With nothing positive to say about this flavor, we can’t recommend it to anyone who wants to keep themselves and their taste buds safe.
13. Aged White Cheddar
Costco
There’s a common saying that with age comes wisdom, which not only can apply to people, but food as well. In terms of cheese, when a product has been aged longer, it tends to have a sharper, more pronounced flavor, which is perfect for macaroni and cheese dishes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and quesadillas — but we can’t say that it works all that well for SkinnyPop’s Aged White Cheddar popcorn. The Aged White Cheddar popcorn comes in a bright yellow and orange striped bag, as if trying to resemble the color of the yellow cheddar cheese that we all know and love. Despite this, we really wish this cheese product didn’t exist.
Even though this claims to be made with real cheese, we’ve had much better products that don’t have any real cheese, but taste ten times more delicious and cheesier than this product. While aged cheddar is supposed to be sharp, this product tasted bland, and we couldn’t really taste any cheese on the popcorn. Not only that, but some reviewers on the SkinnyPop website claim that the flavor is somewhat sour, which is not how good cheddar cheese should taste. If you want something that’s super cheesy and delicious, this popcorn product is far from that. We suggest you save yourself the hassle, and just make yourself some Kraft Mac and Cheese instead.
Even though this claims to be made with real cheese, we’ve had much better products that don’t have any real cheese, but taste ten times more delicious and cheesier than this product. While aged cheddar is supposed to be sharp, this product tasted bland, and we couldn’t really taste any cheese on the popcorn. Not only that, but some reviewers on the SkinnyPop website claim that the flavor is somewhat sour, which is not how good cheddar cheese should taste. If you want something that’s super cheesy and delicious, this popcorn product is far from that. We suggest you save yourself the hassle, and just make yourself some Kraft Mac and Cheese instead.
12. White Cheddar
11. Twist of Lime
Hy-Vee
Who doesn’t love a hint of lime in a pie or an ice cold soda? Lime is an excellent citrus that adds a nice tang to numerous beverages and various dishes. While it would be an acquired taste, we could see the popcorn and lime combo working for some people — if done right. SkinnyPop’s Twist of Lime popcorn, unfortunately, is unable to balance this flavor combination out, and thus, we feel that it doesn’t deserve the limelight.
Limes are a bitter fruit, and we just don’t see how SkinnyPop thought it was a good idea to pair the flavor with a salty popcorn. If the popcorn wasn’t as salty, and more like a kettle corn, we could see this working, but the Twist of Lime popcorn was pretty close to awful. Popcorn can get stuck between your teeth, but this snack had a tangy aftertaste that stayed in our mouths long after the popcorn did. Only the most avid lime lovers might enjoy the flavor of this SkinnyPop popcorn.
Limes are a bitter fruit, and we just don’t see how SkinnyPop thought it was a good idea to pair the flavor with a salty popcorn. If the popcorn wasn’t as salty, and more like a kettle corn, we could see this working, but the Twist of Lime popcorn was pretty close to awful. Popcorn can get stuck between your teeth, but this snack had a tangy aftertaste that stayed in our mouths long after the popcorn did. Only the most avid lime lovers might enjoy the flavor of this SkinnyPop popcorn.
10. Sea Salt Chips and Minicakes
9. Sharp Cheddar Popcorn Chips
Instacart
8. Cheddar & Sour Cream Popcorn Chips
7. Salted Caramel Minicakes
6. Sea Salt and Pepper
5. Sweet and Salty Kettle
Jordxeeee/Shutterstock
The issue we had with many of the lower ranked SkinnyPop flavors on this list was that they were either too bland or too salty. Salt is one of the greatest things to bless kitchens, though when used in excess amounts, it can become overwhelming, sometimes making you feel like you’re biting into a block of salt instead of actual food! You don’t need to be a culinary expert to know when and how much salt to add to a snack or dish to make it taste great. While most of the saltier SkinnyPop popcorns disappointed us, their Sweet and Salty Kettle Popped Popcorn blew us away with just how surprisingly good they tasted.
Because it is kettle corn, this snack is naturally sweeter than normal popcorn. Due to this, the sweet and salty flavors of this popped product, while prevalent, were surprisingly decent. While the sugar overtook the saltiness of this snack, it was rather refreshing compared to the other overly-salted popcorn. In terms of flavorful kettle corn, this might not be the best of the best, but in terms of SkinnyPop treats, don’t bash it until you try it.
Because it is kettle corn, this snack is naturally sweeter than normal popcorn. Due to this, the sweet and salty flavors of this popped product, while prevalent, were surprisingly decent. While the sugar overtook the saltiness of this snack, it was rather refreshing compared to the other overly-salted popcorn. In terms of flavorful kettle corn, this might not be the best of the best, but in terms of SkinnyPop treats, don’t bash it until you try it.
4. Sweet Vanilla Kettle
Just because it’s usually salty and savory, sweeter popcorn treats are a unique snack or dessert. Kettle corn is a lot like regular popcorn, and is still made with a great salty crunch, though it is also combined with the wonderful sweetness of sugar in the form of a nice glazed coating. This next flavor of SkinnyPop is a kettle corn variation of their popped product: their Sweet Vanilla Kettle Popped Popcorn. This sweet snack is sold in a pretty pastel pink and white striped bag, and has real vanilla bean listed as one of the ingredients.
This vanilla flavored kettle corn is not only the sweetest of SkinnyPop’s products, but also super tasty. There are only eight grams of sugar per serving, so it isn’t the most unhealthy dessert you can have, yet it still manages to balance out the sweet and salty flavors any good kettle corn has. Because it was not overly drenched in sugar, we could definitely pick up the vanilla in this snack, though the flavor was more mild. If you prefer an overly prominent, more flavorful kettle corn, then you might have to look elsewhere, though we felt that this snack was a wonderful, healthier harmony of flavors.
This vanilla flavored kettle corn is not only the sweetest of SkinnyPop’s products, but also super tasty. There are only eight grams of sugar per serving, so it isn’t the most unhealthy dessert you can have, yet it still manages to balance out the sweet and salty flavors any good kettle corn has. Because it was not overly drenched in sugar, we could definitely pick up the vanilla in this snack, though the flavor was more mild. If you prefer an overly prominent, more flavorful kettle corn, then you might have to look elsewhere, though we felt that this snack was a wonderful, healthier harmony of flavors.
3. Cinnamon Sugar Minicakes
Cinnamon might not be the sweetest of seasonings, but that’s likely why we love to have it in pancakes, muffins, and even in savory dishes, as it does add a sweetness to any recipe in a non-overbearing way. You could add cinnamon to almost anything to make whatever you’re having 50 times better. The same can be said about SkinnyPop’s Cinnamon & Sugar Popcorn Mini Cakes, which are described as small popcorn cakes that are made with a hint of cinnamon and sugar. While sweeter popcorn is more synonymous with kettle corn, we found that these small rice cake-like chips were way more than a simple snack.
These mini cakes have a fantastic cinnamon aroma and taste. This SkinnyPop snack is made with not only sugar and cinnamon, which adds a nice, mildly sweet flavor, but also sea salt, which isn’t too prevalent, but balances out the use of sugar in a brilliant way. There isn’t too much sugar either, as the snack only contains three grams per serving. Because of this, the final result is a cinnamon-y chip that isn’t overbearingly sweet, and full of flavor. If you’re looking for a healthy, light cinnamon snack, then these popcorn chips are perfect for you.
These mini cakes have a fantastic cinnamon aroma and taste. This SkinnyPop snack is made with not only sugar and cinnamon, which adds a nice, mildly sweet flavor, but also sea salt, which isn’t too prevalent, but balances out the use of sugar in a brilliant way. There isn’t too much sugar either, as the snack only contains three grams per serving. Because of this, the final result is a cinnamon-y chip that isn’t overbearingly sweet, and full of flavor. If you’re looking for a healthy, light cinnamon snack, then these popcorn chips are perfect for you.
2. BBQ Popcorn Chips
Who doesn’t love a crisp pack of barbecue chips to pair with a burger or cold cut sandwich? Whether you get Lays, Kettle Brand, or Pringles BBQ flavored chips, there’s no denying that the smoky kick of flavor that comes with these chips is binge-worthy. If you’re looking to binge on something slightly healthier, but with the same barbecue taste, then look no further than SkinnyPop’s BBQ Popcorn Chips. This airy snack food is a nice orange shade, reminiscent of the brilliant flames of a grill. Not only does the color match a quality BBQ chip, but the texture of the chip is surprisingly on point as well, albeit a bit more popcorn-like.
These chips don’t seem to be too popular online, with less than 15 reviews on the products actual website. Despite this, those who have had the opportunity to try these chips know that each crisp packs a whole lot of flavor. Light, salty (but not too salty), and with a hint of spice, these were our favorite chips offered by the SkinnyPop brand. If you asked us to substitute our Lays BBQ chips with a bag of these, we would certainly be able to tell the difference, but we wouldn’t mind the swap because we really enjoy this wonderfully smokey snack.
These chips don’t seem to be too popular online, with less than 15 reviews on the products actual website. Despite this, those who have had the opportunity to try these chips know that each crisp packs a whole lot of flavor. Light, salty (but not too salty), and with a hint of spice, these were our favorite chips offered by the SkinnyPop brand. If you asked us to substitute our Lays BBQ chips with a bag of these, we would certainly be able to tell the difference, but we wouldn’t mind the swap because we really enjoy this wonderfully smokey snack.
1. Original SkinnyPop Popcorn
TonelsonProductions/Shutterstock