But if you can pop corn, why not quinoa? In search of more munchable healthy snacks, we put some of our favorite grains, seeds and cereals to the test. Here's what happened.

Photo: egal/iStock

All other photos courtesy of Heather Ramsdell

Will it pop? Yes.

Amaranth seeds pop like crazy little jumping beans. They are tons of fun and taste like teeny-tiny, buttery popcorn (even without any fat added). These are perfect sprinkled on a soup or salad, or as a crust for chicken or pork.

How to pop it: Add 1 tablespoon amaranth to a hot nonstick skillet. Cover with a lid, but leave it slightly cracked. Cook, occasionally swirling the pan so that nothing burns.

Will it pop? No.

Bulgur is dried cracked wheat. And because the grain is cracked, not whole, pressure can't build up inside the hull to cause it to pop. The bulgur in our experiment burned in the pan.

Will it pop? No.

Though some have reported success, we couldn't get any popping action.