Lactose Free Dairy Free Smoky Ranch Queso Popcorn
Queso-flavored popcorn that's completely free of dairy sounds like a unicorn snack, but this recipe pulls it off beautifully. Nutritional yeast is the secret weapon here — it delivers that savory, cheesy depth you'd expect from a queso dip without a drop of milk or butter in sight. Smoked paprika and cumin bring a warm, smoky backbone, while dried dill and chives give it that unmistakable ranch personality. A touch of cayenne adds just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming the whole bowl. The coconut oil does double duty, both popping the kernels and acting as the base for the seasoning paste that clings to every single piece. Tossing everything together while it's still warm means the coating sticks evenly, so you're not left with a pile of bland kernels at the bottom. It's the kind of snack that disappears fast, so you might want to make a double batch.
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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.
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