Eggless Dairy Free Smoky Ranch Queso Popcorn
Smoky, cheesy, and loaded with ranch-style flavor, this popcorn is the kind of snack that disappears before the movie even starts. The secret to that rich, savory coating is nutritional yeast, which delivers a genuinely cheesy depth without any dairy in sight — and since the whole seasoning blend is egg-free by nature, there's nothing to swap or substitute here. Smoked paprika and cumin bring the heat and smokiness, while dried dill and chives nail that classic ranch vibe you'd expect from a much more complicated recipe. Melted coconut oil acts as the perfect binder, turning the spice blend into a glossy paste that clings to every single kernel. The stovetop popping method keeps things simple and gives you full control over texture, so you end up with light, crispy popcorn rather than the dense, chewy kind. It's the kind of bold, craveable snack that makes you wonder why you ever settled for plain butter and salt.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the popcorn
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For the seasoning
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 popcorn kernels, cover, and wait until all 3 kernels pop — this signals the oil is hot enough. Add the remaining kernels in a single layer, cover, and cook, shaking the pot every 15–20 seconds, until the popping slows to about 2 seconds between pops. Remove from heat immediately and transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels.
- 2
In a small saucepan, melt 3 tbsp coconut oil over low heat until just liquid. Remove from heat and stir in the nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried chives, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper until a uniform paste forms.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!