Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.
Homemade Cheese Popcorn is a classic snack made by coating popped popcorn with a savory cheddar cheese powder. Perfect for family movie night, game night, or parties during the holiday season.
This mouthwatering cheddar cheese popcorn recipe is the perfect cheesy, salty, crunchy snack that takes us back to our childhood.
Check out these Flavored Popcorn Recipes for even more delicious popcorn flavors and ideas!
Do you remember those tins of popcorn that are really popular around the holidays? They were divided into three sections with cheese cheese popcorn, caramel popcorn, and butter flavored, and we used to fight over our favorite flavors?
Personally I would swap white chocolate popcorn for butter flavored, but maybe that’s just me. What do you think?
What you’ll need
contains affiliate/sponsored links
- Popcorn kernels – About 12 to 14 cups of popped popcorn.
- Sweet cream butter – You can also use unsalted if that is a concern or you are looking for more control over the overall flavor of your popcorn.
- Cheddar cheese powder – I used this yellow cheese powder, but white cheddar powder will work as well – and your hands will not turn orange.
- Fine sea salt – optional, but it does add another layer of flavor.
Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.
To Make Microwave Popcorn: Place one-third cup of popcorn kernels in a lunch-size paper bag and microwave for 3.5 minutes, or use the popcorn button. I usually make two batches and snack on the leftovers.
How to make cheddar cheese popcorn
Cook popcorn kernels in the microwave, air popper, Instant Pot Popcorn, or on the stove, whichever you prefer.
To Make Stovetop Popcorn: Pour 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 0.5-cup of popcorn kernels into a 5-quart pot. Cover pot with lid leaving it slightly ajar so the steam can escape. Cook popcorn over medium heat shaking the pan frequently. When popping slows (one to two seconds between pops), remove the the pot from heat.
Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave, or use a saucepan on the stove. Set aside.
Place popcorn in a large bowl. Drizzle popcorn with half of the melted butter, then sprinkle with half of the yellow cheese powder.
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. Can you tell how much I love cheese?
The cheddar cheese powder gives this homemade popcorn a rich, cheesy taste that is both savory and slightly tangy for a cheesy snack to enjoy any time!
Looking for more gourmet popcorn recipe ideas? Make sure to try my recipes for Taco Popcorn, Salsa Verde Popcorn, and Honey Lemon Popcorn too!
Expert Tips
- If your bowl has a lid, it will be easier to toss the popcorn, butter, and cheese powder together. My lid is MIA.
- I highly recommend a metal bowl over plastic. The smooth surface makes it much easier to stir.
- If your cheese powder has clumps (like mine did), 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!
FAQ’s
Yes you can, BUT it is best to choose a popcorn that is plain and not already flavored with butter or other seasonings, as this can affect the final taste.
Absolutely! 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 for a more complex flavor profile.
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.
It depends on the specific ingredients used in the cheddar cheese powder, but popcorn itself is naturally gluten-free. Always check the labels of the ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free if needed.
Not necessarily. I’m going to let you in on a little secret, you can use the cheese packet found inside the blue box of your kid’s mac and cheese. Open two cheese packets and pour into a dry measuring cup.
More delicious cheesy appetizer recipes
- Pesto Puff Pastry Twists
- Hot, melted cheese filled Pizza Dip
- Carne Asada Nachos topped with melted cheese and homemade queso!
- Blackberry Walnut Baked Brie
- Southwest Black Bean Dip
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!
Tag @cookingwithcurls on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!
Enjoy!!
Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
Ingredients
- 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.
- Place popcorn in a large bowl. Drizzle popcorn with half of the melted butter, then sprinkle with half of the yellow cheese powder.
- 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.
