Popcorn (air-popped) vs Potato chips
Two crunchy snacks with very different density. Air-popped popcorn is a light wholegrain — far fewer calories and more fibre per 100 g; potato chips are fried, so much higher in fat, calories and salt. Popcorn for a high-volume, low-calorie snack, chips for a richer, saltier treat.
Popcorn (air-popped) and Potato chips, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.
| Popcorn (air-popped) · per 100 g | Potato chips · per 100 g | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 387 | 532 |
| Protein | 12.9 g | 6.4 g |
| Fat | 4.5 g | 34 g |
| Carbs | 77.8 g | 53.8 g |
| Fiber | 14.5 g | 3.1 g |
| Sugars | 0.9 g | 0.3 g |
| Sodium | 8 mg | 527 mg |
| Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data | ||
| Calcium | 7 mg | 21 mg |
| Folate | 31 µg | 29 µg |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 144 mg | 63 mg |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg | 4.8 mg |
| Phosphorus | 358 mg | 153 mg |
| Potassium | 329 mg | 1196 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.1 mg | 0.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.1 mg | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin A | 10 µg | 0 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 µg | 0 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2 mg | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 21.6 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.3 mg | 10.5 mg |
| Vitamin K | 1.2 µg | 22.1 µg |
| Zinc | 3.1 mg | 1.1 mg |
Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.
Is Popcorn (air-popped) or Potato chips better?
Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.
How were these numbers worked out?
Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.
Why does one column say “no data”?
Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.