A method for making a food product from a hulled grain kernel is provided. A hulled grain comprising a pericarp structure and interior endosperm having an internal moisture content is modified, such as by boiling, soaking or steaming, to achieve a predetermined moisture content sufficient to inhibit but not prevent popping of the kernel. The modified kernel is exposed to a heated environment, such as a hot air popper, until the modified endosperm expands and ruptures the endosperm, resulting in a partially popped kernel.