You know that yummy white cheddar popcorn that is sold in stores in the chip aisle? That’s delicious and gets your fingers all sticky and is rather addictive but also full of preservatives? What if I told you I had come up with a copycat version that was preservative-free? Well…I did! My recipe for Preservative-Free White Cheddar Popcorn is so incredibly yummy, and actually rather healthy for you, full of B vitamins and fibre. But also yummy. So yummy. Did I mention the yummy?
Two ingredients make this popcorn taste like white cheddar: nutritional yeast and buttermilk powder. That’s right, there’s actually no cheddar cheese in the recipe! You have to eat it to believe it. And you will want to eat lots of it! I’ve used nutritional yeast in other recipes before, such as my Best Ever Macaroni Salad, and it does add a fragrantly cheesy flavour!
How delicious is this popcorn? Well, I made a batch for my sister and myself when my sister came over to spend some time with the baby. The DH saw what I had made, so I made a second batch for him. I went to nurse the baby and when I came back, my sister said “Oh, did you want me to save some for you? I thought it was all for me.” They had eaten every kernel from both batches. So yes, it’s pretty good!
Want to make some yourself? Let’s!
White Cheddar Popcorn
This preservative-free white cheddar popcorn is a copycat version of the store-bought kind, only healthier. But just as tasty!
Ingredients
- 1/4 c. popcorn kernels
- 1 tbsp. buttermilk powder
- 1 tbsp. nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. butter
Instructions
- Pop popcorn.
- While popcorn is popping, grind the salt with a mortar and pestle until it is more of powdery than granular (takes maybe a minute).
- Add in the nutritional yeast and grind until all is fine (less than a minute).
- Stir in buttermilk powder into the nutritional yeast and salt mixture.
- Melt the butter and drizzle it over the popcorn. Sprinkle the salt/nutritional yeast/buttermilk powder mixture over top, and mix thoroughly with two large spoons (like tossing a salad).
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 c.Amount Per Serving: Calories: 45Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 233mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
I love that I can eat this preservative-free popcorn and know that what I’m putting into my body is healthy and not full of chemicals. Plus, how easy it is to toss together? I can already think of a few variations. What about rosemary and white cheddar? Or sriracha and white cheddar? Mmm…popcorn!
Next Post: Maybe a pillar post about 5 Preservative-Free Breakfasts That Are Easier Than You Think. They’re also yummy, because that’s extremely important!
I’m here from the Prudent Homemaker. This popcorn sounds really good and one I will be trying.
Thanks for popping over, Darcy! It’s really quite yummy popcorn!
I love your new blog look! It is visually pleasing to view. Many thanks for including the nutritional information with the recipe. I often see recipes that i would like to try on other blogs. However, if the nutritional information is not included, I won’t make the recipe. I just subscribed to your blog. Looking forward to all the yummy content you’ll be sending my way.
Thanks, Donna Marie! I’ve started using a new recipe plug-in and this one includes nutritional info, so I hope to slowly update my previous recipes with nutritional info. Thanks for the feedback!
I’m liking your new look too, and definitely want to try this recipe.
Thanks, Laurie! I made a batch again yesterday, so that my mum could try some, and she liked it too!
You are a genius, Margaret! We love the white cheddar popcorn and I tried making it at home by just sprinkling it with grated Parmesan. Was nowhere close. I will definitely be using your method instead. Thank you!
I was so surprised when I realized the combo of nutritional yeast and buttermilk powder tasted like SmartFood, but it REALLY does! The salt can be adjusted to your preference. I really hope you love it as much as I do!
I tried this recipe without the nutritional yeast since I don’t have any at the moment. You are right. It is delicious! My family said it sounded disgusting, and wouldn’t try it until I FORCED them to take one bite. They wanted more. I stopped using butter when the price quadrupled but am using olive oil instead.
Thanks.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
I’m so glad you tried this — it really IS good! The buttermilk powder is really the taste-maker ingredient; the nutritional yeast just makes it a bit cheesier. And so pure in terms of ingredients!