Cheddar cheese popcorn, made at home with powdered cheddar, hits that perfect mix of crunchy and cheesy (the kind you can never stop munching). I’ve tried a few versions but this one stands out for its bold flavor and simple steps, making it a regular pick for movie nights or quick party snacks.
PrintCheddar Cheese Popcorn: Simple Homemade Recipe Anyone Can Make
Homemade Cheese Popcorn made with cheddar cheese powder is perfect for movie night, family game night, and game day parties.
- Prep Time: 3 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 to 14 cups popped popcorn about a half-cup of kernels
- 0.5 cup sweet cream butter melted
- 0.5 cup cheddar cheese powder
- .25 teaspoon fine sea salt optional
Instructions
-
Cook popcorn kernels in the microwave, air popper, Instant Pot, or on the stove, whichever you prefer.
-
Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave, or use a saucepan on the stove. Set aside.
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Place popcorn in a large bowl. Drizzle popcorn with half of the melted butter, then sprinkle with half of the yellow cheese powder.
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Stir to coat with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon. Drizzle with remaining butter, and sprinkle with remaining cheese powder and sea salt. Mix to thoroughly coat the popcorn in cheesy flavor.
Notes
- If your bowl has a lid, it will be easier to toss the popcorn, butter, and cheese powder together.
- I highly recommend a metal bowl over plastic. The smooth surface makes it much easier to stir.
- If your cheese powder has clumps, sift the cheese powder before using to remove them. It tastes just as delicious even with the clumps, but you will get better coverage without them!
- If using microwave popcorn, make sure it in plain and does not have any butter, salt, or flavorings.
- You can customize the flavor of your cheddar cheese popcorn by adding additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, or smoked paprika.
- Cheddar cheese popcorn will typically stay fresh for 3 to 5 days if stored in an airtight container, or in a re-sealable bag at room temperature, depending on the humidity.
- To refresh your popcorn: Spread popcorn out on a sheet pan and bake at 275°F for 5 minutes, turning halfway through for even heating.
- If you do not wish to order cheese powder online, substitute 2 packages of cheese packets from Kraft Mac and Cheese. Save the pasta to use in another recipe.
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