Couple enjoying Bare Kernel popcorn on movie night
No Seed Oils, Ever

Olive Oil Popcorn.

Read the label. The whole label.

Popcorn Olive Oil Based
No Seed Oils No Seed Oils
Leaf ~60 cal/cup
No PFAS No PFAS
Gluten Free Gluten Free
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Your Favorite Popcorn Is Made With Seed Oils.

Sunflower oil. Canola oil. Vegetable oil. Open any bag of popcorn in your pantry and check the label. Even the ones that say "natural" or "simple."

And if it's microwave popcorn? The bag itself is the problem. Studies have found PFAS, toxic "forever chemicals" linked to cancer, leaching from microwave popcorn bags into the food you eat.

I did the research. And I decided to make something better.

Typical Brand
  • Popcorn
  • Sunflower oil
  • Canola oil
  • Unnatural flavor
Bare Kernel
  • Popcorn
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Real seasonings, no fillers

See How We Stack Up.

We compared Bare Kernel to the top-selling popcorn brands. The label doesn't lie.

Bare Kernel All Flavors SkinnyPop Original Smartfood White Cheddar Boom Chicka Pop Sea Salt
Oil Used Extra Virgin Olive Oil ✓ Sunflower Oil ✗ Corn / Canola / Sunflower Oil ✗ Sunflower / Canola Oil ✗
Seed Oil Free Yes ✓ No ✗ No ✗ No ✗
Made Fresh to Order Yes ✓ No No No
PFAS-Free Packaging Yes ✓ Not Guaranteed Not Guaranteed Not Guaranteed

Based on publicly available nutrition labels and ingredient lists.

It's Not Just An Oil. It's Medicine.

Extra virgin olive oil contains a natural compound called oleocanthal. Researchers discovered that it works the same way ibuprofen does. Same inflammation pathways. Same mechanism. Except it comes from an olive, not a pharmacy.

That's not a marketing claim. That's peer-reviewed science published in Nature. Chronic inflammation is connected to joint pain, heart disease, and dozens of other conditions that most people write off as "just getting older." The Mediterranean diet has been studied for decades, and olive oil is the foundation of it. People in those regions don't just live longer. They move better. They feel better. Studies have even linked the Mediterranean diet to lower rates of depression. And researchers keep pointing back to olive oil as the reason.

I chose extra virgin olive oil for Bare Kernel because it's the best fat you can eat. Not the cheapest. Not the easiest to work with. The best.

Henry, Founder of Bare Kernel
Henry
Founder

I Flipped The Bag. Then I Made My Own.

I grew up in Massachusetts with a love for cooking and making people happy. I spent years building a career in finance, but I always knew I wanted to create something of my own. And one question I couldn't shake: why is every bag of popcorn on the shelf made with sunflower oil or canola oil?

I cook with olive oil at home. I pour olive oil on my salads. But somehow, every "healthy" popcorn brand chose the cheapest seed oils instead. It didn't make sense.

So I left the spreadsheets behind and started experimenting in the kitchen, testing recipes, dialing in flavors, and perfecting popcorn made the way it should be: in a pot, with extra virgin olive oil. No seed oils, no mystery ingredients, no compromise.

What started as a passion project quickly became a mission. I wanted to create a snack that I'd actually feel good about sharing with the people I care about. Something honest, simple, and genuinely delicious.

Today, every batch of Bare Kernel is still handcrafted by me right here in Massachusetts. Made to order, with the same care I'd put into cooking for family and friends. Because that's exactly what this is.

Henry, Founder

Eight Flavors. Zero Seed Oils.

Every flavor starts with olive oil-popped corn. No exceptions.

Truffle

Truffle Parmesan

Earthy. Sharp. Luxurious.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Earthy truffle meets sharp parmesan. Rich, savory, and impossible to put down.

BBQ

Cheddar BBQ

Bold. Smoky. Addictive.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Sharp cheddar up front, smoky BBQ finish. Bold without being fake.

Cheese

White Cheddar

Creamy. Cheesy. Classic.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Creamy, sharp, and satisfying. The familiar flavor you love, made the way it should be.

Hot Honey

Hot Honey

Sweet. Spicy. Irresistible.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Golden honey sweetness with a slow chili kick. The flavor that sneaks up on you.

Cheddar Caramel

Cheddar Caramel

Sweet. Salty. Perfect.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Rich caramel drizzled over sharp cheddar. The sweet-salty combo done right.

Brown Butter Pecan

Brown Butter Pecan

Toasty. Nutty. Indulgent.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Warm brown butter and toasted pecans. Like dessert, but you don't have to feel guilty.

Maple Bacon

Maple Bacon

Smoky. Sweet. Craveable.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

Real maple sweetness meets smoky bacon. Sunday brunch in a bag.

Pizza Pepperoni

Pizza Pepperoni

Cheesy. Zesty. Loaded.

  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil
  • Seasoning

All the flavor of a loaded pepperoni pizza. Cheesy, zesty, and dangerously snackable.

Family enjoying Bare Kernel popcorn on game night

Family Game Night. Perfected.

Board games, big laughs, and a bowl of popcorn made with real ingredients. Bare Kernel brings the whole family to the table.

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From My Kitchen To Yours.

Every batch is handcrafted the old-fashioned way. No factories, no shortcuts.

Order

DM me your flavor picks. I don't pop until you say go.

Pop

Stainless steel pot. Extra virgin olive oil. Real ingredients. That's it.

Enjoy

Fresh popcorn delivered to your door within days of popping.

Ready to Snack Smarter?

Every bag is made fresh to order.

We accept PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, and Cash.

Truffle

Truffle Parmesan

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “Truffle” to Order $7.99
BBQ

Cheddar BBQ

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “BBQ” to Order $7.99
Cheese

White Cheddar

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$6.99
DM “WC” to Order $6.99
Hot Honey

Hot Honey

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “Honey” to Order $7.99
Cheddar Caramel

Cheddar Caramel

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “Caramel” to Order $7.99
Brown Butter Pecan

Brown Butter Pecan

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “Pecan” to Order $7.99
Maple Bacon

Maple Bacon

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “Bacon” to Order $7.99
Pizza Pepperoni

Pizza Pepperoni

8 oz bag ~25 cups of popcorn

$7.99
DM “Pizza” to Order $7.99
Best Value

Variety Pack: All 8 Flavors

One bag of each flavor (8 x 8 oz bags, 64 oz total). The perfect way to discover your favorite.

$62.92 $49.99
DM “Variety” to Order $49.99

Send a Bag to Someone You Love.

Birthdays, holidays, thank yous, or just because. We'll even include a handwritten note.

The Sampler

1 bag, any flavor. A little taste of something better.

$6.99 – $7.99

DM to Gift

The Full Spread

All 8 flavors, variety pack. The ultimate gift for snack lovers.

$49.99

DM to Gift

💌 Want us to include a handwritten note? Just tell us what to write when you DM.

Ordering for a Crowd?

Parties, corporate events, wedding favors, game nights. Custom quantities, custom flavors, custom packaging.

Parties

Corporate

Weddings

Tried Bare Kernel? Leave a Review.

Let us know what you think. Your feedback helps us get better.

Questions? Answers.

We use extra virgin olive oil instead of seed oils (sunflower, canola, vegetable). Most popcorn brands, even ones marketed as "healthy" or "simple," use cheap seed oils. We use the same olive oil you'd cook with at home.

Seed oils include sunflower, canola, soybean, safflower, and corn oil. These highly processed oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids. Many health-conscious consumers are choosing to avoid them in favor of traditional fats like olive oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. On top of that, most packaged popcorn is microwave popcorn, which adds another concern: PFAS chemicals from the bag lining. We avoid both problems entirely.

Each bag is 8 oz (approximately 25 cups of popped popcorn). All eight flavors (Truffle Parmesan, Cheddar BBQ, White Cheddar, Hot Honey, Cheddar Caramel, Brown Butter Pecan, Maple Bacon, Pizza Pepperoni) are approximately 60 calories per cup. That's less than most leading brands.

Our popcorn is naturally gluten-free. However, our flavored seasonings are produced in a facility that also handles wheat, so we recommend reaching out via DM on Instagram @barekernel if you have severe gluten sensitivities.

Every batch is handcrafted in Massachusetts. We pop our kernels in stainless steel pots with extra virgin olive oil. Always fresh.

Just DM us on Instagram @barekernel or email barekernel.popcorn@gmail.com! Let us know which flavors you'd like and your address. We'll confirm your order and send payment details. We accept PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, and cash. Every bag is handcrafted fresh when you order.

We currently deliver to Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont! Because every batch is made to order, please allow 5-7 business days for your popcorn to be freshly prepared and shipped. Free shipping on orders over $30.

We don't mass-produce and warehouse our popcorn. Every batch is freshly popped when you order, so it arrives at peak flavor. That's the made-to-order difference. It takes a little longer, but you'll taste why it's worth it.

Each bag stays fresh for up to 2 weeks from the date it's made. We pop fresh and ship within 1–2 days of production, so it arrives at peak crunch. No preservatives, no fillers — just real food with a real shelf life. Store in a cool, dry place and reseal after opening.

Truffle Parmesan, Cheddar BBQ, White Cheddar, Cheddar Caramel, Brown Butter Pecan, Maple Bacon & Pizza Pepperoni: Contain milk (from cheese/butter). Seasoning produced in a facility that also processes soy, wheat, sesame, coconut, mustard, and celery.

Brown Butter Pecan: Contains tree nuts (pecans) and milk (from butter).

Hot Honey: Contains honey. Seasoning produced in a facility that also processes soy, wheat, sesame, coconut, mustard, and celery.

Cross-Contact: All flavors are prepared in the same kitchen using shared stainless steel equipment. All flavors contain coconut sugar and popcorn (corn).

Have a food allergy? DM us on Instagram @barekernel or email barekernel.popcorn@gmail.com before ordering.

Research has raised serious concerns. Microwave popcorn bags are commonly lined with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), so-called "forever chemicals" that can leach into food when heated. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA, a type of PFAS, as a Group 1 carcinogen in 2023, linking it to kidney and other cancers. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people who frequently eat microwave popcorn had PFAS levels up to 63% higher than average.

Bare Kernel avoids all of this. We pop our kernels on the stovetop in stainless steel pots. No microwave bags, no chemical coatings, no PFAS. Just popcorn, olive oil, and real seasonings.

Shipping Policy

Delivery Area

We currently deliver to Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We're expanding our delivery range soon!

Processing Time

Every batch of Bare Kernel popcorn is made to order. Please allow 5–7 business days for your popcorn to be freshly prepared, packaged, and shipped.

Shipping Cost

Free shipping on all orders over $30. Orders under $30 will have a flat shipping fee calculated at checkout.

How to Order

DM us on Instagram @barekernel or email barekernel.popcorn@gmail.com with the products you'd like and your address. We'll confirm your order and send payment details. We accept PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, and cash.

Order Tracking

Once your order ships, we'll send you a tracking number via Instagram DM so you can follow your package.

Return Policy

Perishable Products

Because our popcorn is freshly made to order, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges on perishable food items. Each bag is handcrafted specifically for your order.

Damaged or Incorrect Orders

If your order arrives damaged, crushed, or if you received the wrong items, please DM us on Instagram @barekernel within 48 hours of delivery with a photo of the issue. We'll make it right — whether that's a replacement or a refund.

Seasoning Jars

Unopened seasoning jars may be returned within 14 days of delivery. Please DM us on Instagram to arrange a return. Opened jars cannot be returned for food safety reasons.

Questions?

We're a small business and we care about every order. If something isn't right, just reach out — we'll work with you to make it right. DM us anytime at @barekernel.

Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 24, 2026

What We Collect

When you place an order, we collect your name, address, and contact info to fulfill and deliver your order. We do not collect credit card numbers — all payments are processed through PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, or cash.

How We Use Your Information

Your information is used only to process and ship your orders. We may also use your Instagram handle to follow up on order status or respond to questions.

What We Don't Do

We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your data stays with us.

Newsletter

If you sign up for our email newsletter, your email address is used solely to send you updates about Bare Kernel products and promotions. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact

If you have any questions about your privacy or want your information removed, DM us on Instagram @barekernel or email barekernel.popcorn@gmail.com.