Nitrate & Nitrite Free Dairy Free Smoky Ranch Queso Popcorn
Smoky, cheesy, herby, and just the right amount of spicy — this popcorn is the kind of snack that disappears before the movie even starts. Nutritional yeast does the heavy lifting here, delivering that savory, queso-like depth without any dairy, while smoked paprika and cumin give it a bold, almost barbecue-adjacent warmth. The ranch vibe comes through loud and clear thanks to dried dill, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder working together in one punchy seasoning paste. Coconut oil acts as both the popping fat and the seasoning binder, so every kernel gets coated in that flavor-packed mixture rather than leaving half of it at the bottom of the bowl. For anyone navigating processed snack foods carefully, making popcorn from scratch with whole spices and simple pantry staples means you know exactly what's in every handful — no cured ingredients, no hidden additives, no label anxiety. The technique is straightforward: pop, melt, mix, toss, and serve immediately while everything is still warm and fragrant. It's genuinely hard to stop eating it.
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!