A popcorn alternative has been high on my list of things to find lately. My daughter was recently diagnosed with a corn allergy and it makes snacking very hard. Everything she has come to know as normal has changed because of this new found allergy, and now my son has been diagnosed with a corn allergy, too.
Because of this, I have been reading and researching every possible way to provide my kids with a snack that tastes like the popcorn that they crave. I found two different kinds of popcorn alternative that my kids have really embraced, and I want to share them with you.
My Search for a Popcorn Alternative
*Updated May 11, 2019 **
It’s not easy to find a popcorn alternative, and the brands often make it cost offensive to purchase products that are pre-made and packaged. Sourcing out new products and creating delicious eats for my daughter is what I do well, and I thought I should share what I have found with you.
Gluten sensitivity is not an easy food allergy to deal with, and on so many levels it is emotional as well as physical. I have attempted to find alternatives to replace the foods she loved and can no longer consume. Just as my son with severe food allergies needs to be accommodated with foods, my daughter does as well, and this momma is hot on the trail of some pretty cool stuff.
Lavishly live healthy eating, with popcorn alternative (affiliate) for those with corn allergies.
Where to Find a Popcorn Alternative
I have done my homework and Googled until I can Google no more, but no one really has the same allergy combinations. For us, beating gluten is one thing, but adding in the corn allergy takes this to another level. I have to really be smart about this and figure out how to not have corn in popcorn. (affiliate)
Finding the foods in all stores is not always possible, but make sure to check Whole Foods. They are pretty good with sourcing foods that you cannot normally find. In addition, my Go-To is Amazon. You can find anything there!
The Corn-Free Party
AMARANTH
Have you heard of Amaranth? I read a magazine about it 8 months ago at our Dr’s. office and never finished investigating, but now I have. Amaranth is able to be put on a stove with oil and popped and then seasoned with Salt. It is very good. It is not quite popcorn, but it is tasty.
It is also readily available at almost all major grocery and health food stores. While it does not pop NEARLY as big as regular popcorn, it sure does give the flavor that is reminiscent of popcorn which truly satisfies her.
At first, I thought I was the only one that knew about the Amaranth, but then I found this article on How to Puff Amaranth, and I am excited to try it.
It’s not just Amaranth that is corn-free and popcorn-like. In fact, I have another substitute for you, and this one is just as good. It is all in YOUR Preference.
SORGHUM
Meet Sorghum. It pops up nicely, but remember these are going to be 1/2 the size of popcorn. Again, my best friend is Amazon (affiliate) when seeking these foods. I simply, click and order.
Because my son and daughter have so many food allergies, we use Gerbs white sorghum because it eliminates cross-contamination worries. However, if you do not have other allergies it won’t matter what brand you buy!
“Gerbs Allergen Declaration: Product is FREE from the following: Gluten, Wheat, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Eggs, Milk/Dairy, Fish, Crustacean, Mustard, and Sesame.”
It is easy to make, delicious to eat, and it is corn-free. Goodbye popcorn and hello New Corn Free PopCorn! Learn how to pop this Sorghum here!
POP Amaranth & Sorghum Yourself
Some use a pan and oil, me, I love my microwave and this great microwave popper!
Mini Pops is another excellent sorghum source. We have eaten this, and we like it a lot. The quality is excellent, and it has a wonderful flavor. The only reason we usually opt for Gerbs over this brand is for the cross-contamination worries I mentioned earlier. Again, if you do not have to worry about this, both brands are excellent.
HEALTHY EATING ~ POPCORN ALTERNATIVE FOR THOSE WITH CORN ALLERGIES
As a mom, I am willing to try anything that makes sense but I also bear in mind that my 14-year-old is not as willing to try new things! In order for her to try it, it has to look as good as I say it tastes. You know teens–“prove it to me before I try it” I did prove it to her and she is so happy that we have introduced this to her diet as an alternative.
I have found that although amaranth and sorghum do not taste exactly like popcorn, they are a wonderful popcorn alternative for those who cannot have corn. I am excited that I was able to find these.
Between my son and my daughter, I keep on looking for the next best thing and I truly hope this helps you. I will continue to look for and bring you other alternatives for food allergies in the future!
Lavishly live healthy eating out loud, with popcorn alternatives for those with corn allergies.
Ryan says
April 27, 2018 at 7:51 pmThanks for this post. I’m not sure that I’m allergic to gluten, but I’ve always had all the symptoms on the “gluten sensitivity” symptoms list from countless hours of google searches. I’m going to try going gluten free for 30 days and see if I show improvement. It sure can’t hurt, right?
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Audra says
January 3, 2018 at 2:55 amYou are a lifesaver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My son is allergic to EVERYTHING! Gluten, corn , soy, dairy, watermelon, mango, etc. This list is wonderful! thank you so much!!!!!!!!
Dana Vento says
January 4, 2018 at 1:37 pmYour son is allergic to so much like mine. My son Latex, all nuts, all fish, honey, bees, etc. watermelon, mango, cherries, potatoes, pears, kiwi, bananas, the list goes on and on and eating is so bland. Stay in touch I will be rolling more out:) the popcorn alternative is amazing though. I prefer a bowl with oil in it versus the paperbag as it takes learning to pop it in a paper bag:)
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Amy says
July 10, 2018 at 2:10 pmHi Dana, you probably know this (and more) already, but your son probably is in dire need for some gut-love through probiotics 🙂 I hope he doesn’t have gut dysbiosis or sibo. I’m sorry for stating the obvious, just thought I’d share what I learnt
Dana Vento says
July 19, 2018 at 9:24 amAwe thanks He does have gut love already, this is just another piece of the puzzle.
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Adeil says
June 2, 2017 at 2:50 pmi love it really its helpful for us .. i enjoy this website all time
bobby sue says
December 13, 2016 at 7:18 amwow thanks for this my little kid LOVES LOVES LOVES popcorn but we have found she is allergic to wheat and corn so we are having a time finding gluten free and corn free things shes so picky and now add this to the mix of her allergies and my allergic to mammal products it has made a challenging ordeal for sure LOL i have found a few things that she can eat and snack on Vans is a good product we’ve found that she likes to eat
kevin says
November 19, 2016 at 4:03 amthank you! have known about my corn allergy for 20 years and now I can bring a fun popped snack back for movie time!
kevin says
November 19, 2016 at 4:03 amthank you! have known about my corn allergy for 20 years and now I can bring a fun popped snack back for movie time!
Kari Ann says
September 14, 2016 at 4:46 pmWow what a great resource. I know people who have allergies and it is nice to be able to find someone who can relate and gives recommendations on products. Thank you!
Momina Arif says
September 14, 2016 at 11:57 amI really want to try these products now
Claudette Esterine says
September 13, 2016 at 8:39 amWhat will they think of next? Happy that there are alternatives for those who cannot enjoy the real thing. 🙂
Tiffany Cardenas says
September 13, 2016 at 1:59 amI’ve never heard of popped amaranth before. Very cool! If you’re looking for a corn-free & gluten-free pasta, look into brown rice pasta. I like Tinkyada brand. It’s very good!
Chei says
September 12, 2016 at 10:58 pmOh i love eating popcorn while watching movies.
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Carol Cassara says
September 12, 2016 at 10:14 pmOh, how interesting! I have never heard of these. For me it’s the kernel, not the corn specifically.
Elizabeth O. says
September 12, 2016 at 9:51 pmIt’s nice to finally find a good alternative for a food you love eating but can’t due to allergies. I am fortunate enough to not have to deal with this but it’s nice to know that there are alternatives should we need one.
Laura says
September 12, 2016 at 5:31 pmWell done for helping her to find another choice
Erica says
June 19, 2012 at 9:54 pmHi Dana,
Have you ever heard of MiniPops? A few corn allergic individuals are able to eat the plain (unflavored) MiniPops and the sea salt MiniPops with success. Minipops are popped sorghum (the few that I ate tasted a lot like popcorn). http://www.myminipops.com/
Some other individuals actually pop sorghum much the same way that you pop amaranth. Perhaps that could be another alternative to “popcorn” for your daughter. I, unfortunately, have to avoid all grains and most of the pseudo-grains so I can no longer eat either the sorghum or amaranth.
Good luck to your daughter and to you!
-Erica
DVento says
June 19, 2012 at 10:34 pmYes. I have just found them. I will be reviewing their product shortly! thanks so much for the tip:) Dana