Oats Free Dairy Free Smoky Ranch Queso Popcorn
Popcorn night just got a serious upgrade. This smoky, savory snack delivers all the creamy, tangy vibes of ranch-seasoned queso without a drop of dairy — nutritional yeast does the heavy lifting here, bringing that cheesy, umami depth you'd swear came from something far more indulgent. Smoked paprika and cumin give it a warm, almost campfire-like backbone, while dried dill and chives keep things bright and herbaceous. A pinch of cayenne rounds it all out with just enough heat to keep you reaching back into the bowl. The coconut oil acts as the perfect binder, turning all those spices into a glossy, flavor-packed paste that clings to every single kernel. It's naturally free of grains beyond the corn itself, so there's no need to scan labels or stress about hidden additives sneaking into your snack. Make a big batch, because this one disappears fast.
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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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