Rice 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-style queso without a drop of dairy — nutritional yeast does the heavy lifting, bringing that cheesy, umami depth that makes you reach back into the bowl again and again. 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 adds just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming the flavor. The whole seasoning blend gets melted into coconut oil and drizzled over fresh-popped kernels, so every single piece gets coated in that bold, punchy paste. Corn is naturally grain-adjacent but completely rice-free, making this a worry-free snack for anyone navigating that restriction. It comes together in one pot and one bowl, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying a genuinely crave-worthy bowl of popcorn.
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!