There used to be something I loved about microwave popcorn. Maybe it was the salty, fake cheese smell or the fact that it was fun to open the bag and release all the steam. Once I went vegan, I never bought microwave popcorn mainly because it usually isn't vegan-friendly.
Even when you do find vegan microwave popcorn, it has ingredients that don't need to be there. Don't even get me started on the ingredients in store-bought vegan cheese popcorn...
Unsalted, organic popcorn like Newman's is probably the best microwave popcorn you can buy with the least amount of trash unnecessary ingredients added. However, these are the ingredients listed: Organic Popcorn, Organic Palm Oil, Natural Flavor, Vitamin E (to Preserve Freshness)
Sure palm oil is disputable in the vegan world. Some choose to use it and others avoid it like the pest but what really bothers me is the natural flavors. What natural flavors need to be added to unsalted popcorn? And what exactly are natural flavors? You could spray some cat urine on your popcorn and it would be considered a natural flavor according to the USDA.
The best way to get around all of this is to just make your own popcorn with your own ingredients so that you know exactly what you are putting in your body. Better yet make it some cheesy vegan popcorn because unsalted popcorn is just boring.
Popping your own popcorn at home is really easy and takes far less time than you think. Making vegan cheese popcorn takes just about an extra 3 minutes, which we should all be willing to spend.
As a family, we ate this popcorn within minutes. My kids, mainly my 4-year-old, ask me to make them this as a snack all the time. That's fine though with me since it's low in calories and I can make a ton of it in bulk to last us a good week.
Vegan Cheese Popcorn
A super quick, easy, and healthy vegan cheese popcorn recipe that makes a perfect snack for kids and adults!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
- ¼ cup Organic Popcorn Kernels equals o 8 cups popped popcorn
- Cheese Powder!
- ⅓ cup Cashews raw, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 2 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons 10g Nutritional Yeast
- 2 tablespoon Corn Starch
- ¼ teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Onion dried, minced
Instructions
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Combine all cheese powder ingredients in a food processor and pulse until fine cheese powder forms. Do not over process!
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In a large stock pot, heat coconut oil with 3 popcorn kernels over high heat and cover. Once all 3 kernels have popped, remove them and add ¼ of a cup popcorn kernels.
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Place lid on stock pot and shake pot occasionally. Keep shaking once popcorn starts to pop. Once the popping slows down remove the pot from the heat and take off the lid. Allow popcorn to rest for 2 minutes.
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Take the warm (not hot!) popped popcorn and put it in a large paper bag with ½ of a cup of cheese powder. Shake bag until all the popcorn is coated. Add more cheese powder if needed.
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Taste and add more salt if desired.
Recipe Notes
1) Make sure to remove the popcorn once the popping slows down. Try to resist the urge of getting every single kernel popped. You'll end up burning your popcorn!2) The turmeric is added mainly to give this vegan cheese popcorn a cheesy color. Feel free to omit if not on hand. I find my kids enjoy it more with it. Plus turmeric is a very healthy spice with an incredible list of health benefits.
Looking for a different kind of snack? These Puffed Quinoa Oat Bars and Chia Peanut Butter Protein Balls are two of my favorites. Otherwise, give these a try!
Maria G. says
Mmmm. Next time you need to make them with butter flavor, Vanessa! – that's my favorite flavor!
Vanessa says
Hi Maria, I actually also wanted to make a healthier caramel popcorn but then we had a plastic burning on the stove top incident where I had to end up throwing away all the remaining popcorn kernels I had at home :( I'll have to buy some more and give a buttery version a try :)
Jennifer Harmon {Peppers and Peaches} says
This post hits home for me personally as I have mentioned (several times) to my popcorn fanatic parents that they should try out some home made popcorn. Even the bags the microwave popcorn use are awful for you, so many chemicals! Sometimes though, you have to hear it for someone else....which is why this post is currently on its way through the virtual world that is the internet to land in each of their email boxes...hehe...let's see if this works. I know I'm going to pick up some kernels!
Vanessa says
Thanks Jennifer! Hopefully my short popcorn post will get through to them :) If not, let me try this: To the parents of Jennifer Harmon please stop using microwave popcorn! Making your own tastes better, is better for you, and can be customized to fit your exact flavor preference. Give it a try once and I promise you won't go back to the chemical laced microwave popcorn :D
Harriet Emily says
Oooh this looks amazing Vanessa! I absolutely love popcorn, and it's one of my favourite snacks. I've never made a cheesy version before though, and I've always wanted to!! The flavours in this sound absolutely delicious, so I can't wait to try making it! Thank you so much for sharing :)
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Ohhhh! What an awesome looking cheese popcorn Vanessa! Love it so much! Absolutely delicious, and YUM! Will try this soon! :)
Kyra says
We love popcorn here, I need to try this "cheese" powder next time! And ewww...cat urine as natural flavoring...but I totally agree, there are some questionable things that are used as natural flavoring. Like the "vanilla" flavoring from beaver anal glands (or something along those lines...)....
Vanessa says
ugh don't even get me started on those beaver anal glands, haha! I'll stick to food where I know exactly what is in it :D
Shweta A says
I am hooked, it looks so beautiful, just wow!
Got to give this interesting recipe a try-period!
Jane says
Oh, this is a great idea and it looks easy. I totally gave up cheese popcorn after I stopped eating dairy. But I really was buying Newman's popcorn! Until now, I guess. I need to try this! Thank you :)
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
Don't even get me started on microwave popcorn!! It is filled with SO much junk just like you said!!! I used to love the stuff but won't go near it anymore!!
And this Cheesy popcorn looks wonderful, Vanessa!! My partner and I LOVE munching on popcorn in the evenings so this looks perfect for us (love me some nutritional yeast on my popcorn too!). YUM!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
Even though I haven't made it in forever (got out of the habit once I realized how terrible the microwave stuff in for you) there is nothing better than a big ole' bowl of popcorn, movie not required :)
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
O.M.GOSH you have answered all of my prayers!!!! I'm a popcorn addict. Like, I need an intervention. And I miss the taste of powdered cheese popcorn (a guilty vice). But now dairy-free, I thought I had to kiss that goodbye. Totally making this!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
The cheese powder sounds amazing! I put nutritional yeast on my popcorn all the time (it's the best!) but have never thought to spice it up more than that. I'm definitely making this next time I get a popcorn craving!
Heather says
Where did you find vegan cheese powder?
Vanessa Croessmann says
Hi Heather, you'll need to make the vegan cheese powder yourself. The ingredients and directions for it are in the recipe :)
Heather Smith says
We've got a tree nut allergy in the family. Can you omit the cashews or replace them?