Foods · Comparisons
Air-popped popcorn vs Potato chips: calories and nutrition compared
The short answer
Gram for gram, there are about 37% more calories in potato chips than in air-popped popcorn. Per 100 g: air-popped popcorn ≈387 calories, potato chips ≈532. In a typical portion, 1 oz of air-popped popcorn is about 110 calories and 1 oz of potato chips about 149.
Side by side, per 100 g
| Per 100 g | Air-popped popcorn | Potato chips |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 387 kcal | 532 kcal |
| Protein | 12.9 g | 6.4 g |
| Carbohydrate | 77.8 g | 53.8 g |
| of which sugars | 0.9 g | 0.3 g |
| Fibre | 14.5 g | 3.1 g |
| Fat | 4.5 g | 34 g |
Per typical portion
| Portion | Grams | Calories | Protein | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air-popped popcorn | 1 oz | 28 g | 110 | 3.7 g |
| Potato chips | 1 oz | 28 g | 149 | 1.8 g |
Protein per 100 calories
Per 100 calories: about 3.3 g of protein in air-popped popcorn, about 1.2 g in potato chips.
Which one to pick
- Fewer calories per bite: Air-popped popcorn.
- More protein per calorie: Air-popped popcorn.
- More fiber: Air-popped popcorn.
Both can fit your day. How much you eat changes the total more than which one you pick, so weigh or measure the portion when it matters.
Source
Nutrient values from USDA FoodData Central: Air-popped popcorn (FDC 167959), Potato chips (FDC 169677).
Full nutrition pages: Air-popped popcorn · Potato chips