Popcorn for Kids – Benefits and Recipes

As a child, you must have loved eating popcorn, but now you must not like it as you did earlier. But if you have kids, you can understand their love for popcorn. Whenever you take your kids to a movie, they must be asking for a large bucket of popcorn full of butter or cheese. Do they? Of course, it cannot be denied that popcorn tastes delicious and kids love it, but is popcorn healthy for children? Can you give it to them as a snack? If yes, you must also be looking for some unique popcorn recipes. This article will explore the numerous benefits of popcorn for kids, providing parents with peace of mind and offering a variety of creative, kid-friendly recipes that will keep snack time exciting and healthy.

Is Popcorn a Healthy Snack for Children?

As a parent, you’re always concerned about your child’s health. So, when it comes to their favourite snack, popcorn, you might have some concerns. But, here’s the good news. Popcorn, when prepared right, is not only a treat for their taste buds but also a healthy snack for your little ones.

When Can Kids Eat Popcorn?

The right age for your child to begin eating popcorn is around four or five years of age.

Nutritional Value of Popcorn

The chart below lists the nutritional value in 36 grams (3 cups) of “Air-popped” Popcorn. (Energy = 139.3 calories)

Health Benefits of Popcorn for Children

Who knew the little old popped-up bit of corn held so many nutritional benefits?

1. Digestion

Each popcorn kernel is a seed composed of bran, endosperm, and germ, similar to whole grains touted for their health benefits. Popcorn kernels contain high amounts of fibre that help in digestion (2).

2. Vitamin B

Popcorn is loaded with vitamins B3 and B6, folate, and pantothenic acid. It helps in proper brain function and protects the body against infection.

3. Carbohydrates

Corn contains carbohydrates, a good energy source, and helps your kids get through the day without feeling lethargic.

4. Minerals

Minerals are an essential class of micronutrients like manganese, zinc, and magnesium (nutrients needed in small amounts) that help the cells function properly.

5. Guilt-Free Snacking

The high amount of dietary fibre in popcorn keeps one full. Hence, it prevents overeating and weight gain in young kids (1).

Risks of Giving Popcorn to Young Children

The risk of making popcorn for toddlers and babies is that they can choke on it. Babies and toddlers can’t chew and grind food properly or identify choking hazards while chewing.

Precautions to Take While Giving Popcorn to Kids

Here are some precautions to consider when giving popcorn to your child:

• Teach your child to eat only the fluffy part of the popcorn and not ingest the hard part.
• Do not allow your toddler to move about or run around while eating.
• When heavily flavoured with butter, salt, and the like, the health benefits of plain air-popped popcorn are reduced.
• There is a risk that popcorn may choke up in the child’s respiratory tract, so be cautious while feeding. Also, get trained in CPR & Heimlich manoeuvre techniques, which will help in such situations.
• Avoid excessive corn intake, as it may lead to weight gain.
• Look for non-GMO raw corn for your child.

Safe Alternatives to Popcorn for a Young Child

The best alternative would be puffed-corn snacks like those in the chips section. Avoid spicy corn puffs, especially for babies, because they are not only unpalatable but also cause children to wipe their eyes and noses even as they eat. They might put their finger in their eyes after eating spicy puff corn, which may hurt their eyes.

Easy and Tasty Popcorn Recipes for Children

Here are some kid-friendly popcorn recipes that can be tried at home.

1. Banana & Honey Popcorn

Who doesn’t love bananas or honey? We all do, and kids simply enjoy anything sweet! So, try this recipe for banana and honey-flavoured popcorn for your kid.

What You Need

• Ripe Bananas
• Honey
• Plain Popcorn

How to Prepare

1. Mash the bananas to form a pulp and transfer it to a bowl.
2. Add the popcorn on top and drip as much honey as you’d like over it.
3. Enjoy.

2. Popcorn Lemony

This recipe adds a tangy twist to popcorn and kids will love it.

What You Need

• Plain popcorn
• Unsalted butter (4 tbsp)
• Salt (1/2 tsp)
• Powdered sugar (1 and a half tsp)
• Lemon zest (2 tsp)
• Pure vanilla extract (1/2 tsp)

How to Prepare

1. Heat the butter slightly so that it melts.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients (not popcorn) to the melted butter and mix.
3. Coat the popcorn with the mixture prepared.
4. You can even add some poppy seeds to the mixture for a nutrition boost.

3. Cheesy and Spicy Popcorn

There’s nothing like some flavourful cheese and spices along with popcorn.

What You Need

• Plain popcorn
• Salt (1/2 tsp)
• Grated cheese (1/2 cup)
• Pepper powder (1/2 tsp)

How to Prepare

1. Mix the finely grated cheese with pepper powder and salt.
2. Sprinkle it on the popcorn and mix.
3. Heat for about 10 seconds in the microwave and it is ready.

4. Buttered Popcorn

Butter popcorn is extremely delicious and kids will love its taste.

What You Need

• Plain popcorn
• Unsalted butter (3 tbsp)
• Salt (1/2 tsp)

How to Prepare

1. Melt butter in a pan.
2. Heat the popcorn in a microwave, slightly (10 seconds should do).
3. Add the melted butter to the popcorn and mix well.
4. Sprinkle salt and serve.

5. Almond and Coconut Popcorn

Try this recipe of almond and coconut popcorn.

What You Need

• Plain popcorn
• Salt (1/2 tsp)
• Few almonds (slivered)
• Shredded coconut (3/4^th cup)
• White chocolate chips (1/2 cup)

How to Prepare

1. Saute coconut and almonds together in a non-stick pan.
2. Add salt to the sauteed coconut and almonds and mix them with white chocolate chip cookies.
3. Warm the popcorn slightly in the microwave and mix other ingredients to it.

6. Peanut Butter Popcorn

Peanut Butter Popcorn is a delightful and nutritious treat that combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the light crunch of popcorn. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for satisfying sweet and savoury cravings.

What You Need

• Plain popcorn
• Peanut butter (1/4 cup)
• Honey (2 tbsp)
• Salt (1/4 tsp)

How to Prepare

1. In a small saucepan, melt peanut butter and honey together.
2. Drizzle the peanut butter mixture over the popcorn.
3. Sprinkle salt and toss to coat evenly.

7. Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn is a sweet and aromatic snack that brings the comforting flavours of cinnamon and sugar to every bite. It’s an easy and delicious way to add a touch of sweetness to your popcorn.

What You Need

• Plain popcorn
• Ground cinnamon (1 tsp)
• Sugar (2 tbsp)
• Butter (2 tbsp, melted)

How to Prepare

1. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
2. Drizzle melted butter over the popcorn.
3. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the popcorn.
4. Toss to coat evenly.

There is no other snack like popcorn. Eating popcorn while watching your favourite TV show or movie gives you immense pleasure. We hope you got the answer to your question, “Can kids eat popcorn?” So, don’t wait; try these popcorn recipes for kids and let them enjoy them.

References/Resources:

1. 8 Healthy School Snacks That Kids Will Love; Hackensack Meridian Health; https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2022/09/07/8-healthy-school-snacks-that-kids-will-love

2. Chawla. S, Kerna. N. A, Roberson. R, et al.; Revisiting an Old Friend: The Gastrointestinal Benefits of Regular Popcorn Consumption; ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361180668_Revisiting_an_Old_Friend_The_Gastrointestinal_Benefits_of_Regular_Popcorn_Consumption

3. Is Popcorn Healthy? 4 Reasons Why You Should Eat It More Often; University Health News; https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/nutrition/is-popcorn-healthy-4-reasons-why-you-should-eat-it-more-often/

Also Read: 

Gummy Vitamins for Kids
Chocolates for Children
Healthy and Tasty Pizza Recipe for Kids
Scrumptious Appetizers for Kids to Munch On

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