Shellfish Free Dairy Free Smoky Ranch Queso Popcorn
Smoky, cheesy, and loaded with bold ranch flavor, this popcorn is the kind of snack that disappears before the movie even starts. The magic here is nutritional yeast, which delivers that savory, almost-cheesy depth without any dairy — so it's naturally free from the usual queso suspects like milk or cream. Smoked paprika and cumin bring a warm, campfire-like smokiness, while dried dill and chives nail that classic ranch vibe you know and love. A pinch of cayenne keeps things interesting without overwhelming the rest of the seasoning blend. The coconut oil does double duty — popping the kernels and acting as the base for the seasoning paste that clings to every single piece. Tossing it all together in one big bowl means you get even coating and zero wasted flavor at the bottom. It's a seriously satisfying homemade snack that punches way above its weight.
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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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