Andy Montoya
Cheddar cheese popcorn is a delicious snack that can be made in a variety of ways. While some recipes call for real cheese, others suggest using cheddar cheese powder, which can be purchased online or in stores, or even sourced from boxed macaroni and cheese. One popular method involves coating freshly popped popcorn with melted butter, sprinkling cheddar cheese powder on top, and then tossing it all together to ensure an even coating. This can be done in a bowl or a paper bag, depending on your preference. For those who prefer real cheese, you can try grating or shredding cheddar cheese finely, melting it, and then pouring it over the popcorn. This method may also involve adding other ingredients like butter, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt to create a flavourful coating.
How to put cheddar cheese powder on popcorn
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese powder | Cheddar cheese powder, preferably with a signature orange color |
| Other ingredients | Popcorn, butter, oil, salt |
| Type of butter | Salted or unsalted butter, or vegan butter |
| Type of oil | Olive oil, light vegetable oil, or coconut oil |
| Type of salt | Fine salt, preferably finely ground sea salt |
| Type of popcorn | Mushroom popcorn |
| Method | Melt butter, toss or shake with popcorn until completely coated, sprinkle cheese powder over popcorn, toss or shake to coat evenly |
| Time | 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Use cheddar cheese powder from boxed macaroni
To make cheddar cheese popcorn using cheddar cheese powder from boxed macaroni, start by heating oil in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat. Place 2 to 3 kernels in the oil and cover with a lid. Once you hear them pop, quickly pour in the rest of your kernels and shake the pot for about 30 seconds. Turn down the heat as the popping slows. When there is at least a 3-second interval between pops, remove the pot from the heat and keep it covered for a few minutes until the popping stops.
Next, prepare your butter by melting it either in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop. If using a microwave, melt the butter in 20-second intervals, checking frequently to prevent it from exploding. Drizzle the melted butter into the pot and sprinkle over the cheese powder, stirring to coat the popcorn evenly. You can also add shredded cheddar for an extra cheesy kick.
For best results, add the cheese powder immediately after popping the popcorn, as it sticks better to slightly moist kernels. If using an air popper, shake the machine well with butter or lightly spritz it with oil to help the powder adhere. You can also try tossing the freshly made popcorn with melted butter until evenly coated, before sprinkling the cheese powder on top and tossing or shaking to coat.
The amount of cheese powder you use can be adjusted to your taste preferences. For a milder cheddar flavor, 4 tablespoons should suffice, while 6 to 7 tablespoons will give you a more intense cheddar kick. Additionally, while the cheese powder already contains salt, you may want to add a tiny pinch of fine sea salt to balance out the cheesy flavor.
Using the cheese powder from boxed macaroni is an easy, cost-effective, and accessible way to make delicious cheddar cheese popcorn at home.
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Mix with butter and/or oil
To make cheddar cheese popcorn with butter and/or oil, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, prepare your popcorn. If you are using a stovetop method, heat oil in a heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven and add three kernels. Once they pop, the oil is hot enough to add the remaining kernels. Cover and remove the pan from the heat for about 20 seconds, then place it back on the heat and wait for the kernels to pop. If you are using a microwave, place the kernels in a glass bowl with a tablespoon or two of oil or ghee, cover with a microwave plate, and cook for less than five minutes.
Next, melt your butter. This can be done in the microwave in 20-second intervals or on the stovetop. You can also substitute butter for ghee or coconut oil, which some sources say is preferable as butter can make the popcorn soggy.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Drizzle or pour the melted butter over the popcorn in a large bowl and toss to combine. You can also add the butter to a saucepan with spices such as chili powder, garlic powder, and salt, and heat until simmering before pouring over the popcorn. Immediately sprinkle the cheese mixture over the popcorn, tossing after each addition to evenly coat each kernel. You can also add the cheese in layers, alternating between cheese and corn. If you are using an air popper, shake the popcorn with butter or spritz it with oil first so the powder will stick.
Finally, serve and enjoy! You can add a pinch of fine sea salt to taste, and if you have any leftovers, try sealing them in packaging straight away to keep them fresh.
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Sprinkle powder over buttered popcorn
To make delicious, cheesy, buttery popcorn, you'll need to start with the popcorn itself. You can use the paper bag method, a stovetop, or an air popper machine. If you're using a paper bag, put a third of a cup of kernels into a medium-sized brown paper bag, roll the top closed, and microwave until the kernels stop popping at a rate of at least one per second. For a stovetop method, heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat, add two or three kernels, and wait for them to pop. Then, add the rest of your kernels, cover, and swirl off the heat for 20 seconds. Place the pot back on the heat and wait for the kernels to pop.
Once you've made your popcorn, it's time to add the butter. You can use salted or unsalted butter, or even dairy-free butter or oil. Drizzle the butter over the popcorn and toss to coat. You can also add the butter to a large brown paper bag, shaking the bag while pouring the butter in a slow stream. Roll the bag closed and shake well.
Now for the cheese! Combine the cheddar cheese powder with mustard powder and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the popcorn, and toss to coat. You can do this in a large mixing bowl with a spoon or spatula, or in a large zip-top bag that you shake well. Make sure to do this while the popcorn is still warm, as the cheese powder sticks best to slightly moist kernels.
If you want to get fancy, you can add some extra ingredients to your cheese powder. For a spicy kick, add some chili powder and garlic powder. Or, for a different flavor, try using white cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese powder. You can even make a vegan version by substituting nutritional yeast for the cheese sprinkle.
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Add salt to taste
When making cheddar cheese popcorn, it's important to add salt to taste. This is because salt enhances the flavour of the cheddar cheese and gives it a savoury kick. The right amount of salt can bring out the sharpness of the cheddar and make the snack even more irresistible.
You can use regular salt or kosher salt, depending on your preference. However, it's important to note that if you're using salted butter, you may want to reduce the amount of salt you add to the popcorn. This is to ensure that the flavour of the cheddar cheese isn't overwhelmed by too much saltiness.
If you're using a popcorn salt, such as the Cheddar Cheese Popcorn Salt from Just Ingredients, you can sprinkle it over buttered or oiled popcorn. These popcorn salts are designed specifically for popcorn and can enhance the flavour of your snack. They are also free from artificial ingredients and added sugar alcohol, providing a healthier option. Start with a light sprinkling and then adjust to your taste preferences, as you can always add more if needed.
When adding regular salt to your cheddar cheese popcorn, it's best to sprinkle a small amount at a time and taste as you go. This way, you can avoid over-salting the popcorn and can adjust the seasoning to your liking. Remember, it's easier to add more salt than to take it away!
Finally, if you're using a microwave to make your popcorn, be aware that microwave popcorn is often pre-seasoned with salt. So, when adding salt to your cheddar cheese popcorn, take into account the amount of salt already present in the microwave popcorn. You may need to reduce the amount of salt you add to avoid making the snack too salty.
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Store in an airtight container
To store your cheddar cheese-flavored popcorn, choose a container that seals tightly. Glass or plastic containers with airtight lids are ideal. You can also use a heavy-duty plastic bag that can be sealed. If using a plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. This will help to keep the popcorn fresh and crunchy. Store the container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
The shelf life of your cheese popcorn will depend on the ingredients used and the storage conditions. If you've used a store-bought cheese powder, the shelf life is likely to be similar to that of the powder. Keep an eye on the expiration date of the powder you've used. Most cheese powders have a shelf life of around 6-12 months when stored properly.
If you've made your own cheese powder or added fresh ingredients like butter or spices, the shelf life will be shorter. In this case, aim to consume the popcorn within a week to ensure optimal freshness and flavor.
To extend the shelf life even further, you can store the popcorn in the refrigerator. This is a great option if you live in a humid environment or if you want to keep the popcorn for an extended period. Place the airtight container or sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator, ensuring it's protected from moisture. The cooler temperature will help preserve the flavor and texture.
When stored properly, your cheddar cheese-flavored popcorn will remain tasty and crunchy. By choosing the right container, storing it in a cool and dry place, and being mindful of the shelf life, you can enjoy your delicious snack over several days or even months!
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Frequently asked questions
To get the cheese powder to stick to the popcorn, you will need to first coat the popcorn in melted butter. The butter will help the cheese stick to the popcorn.
You can use any type of butter, but quality butter will change your life. You can use salted or unsalted butter, and dairy-free butter will also work. You can also use any kind of oil, like olive oil or light vegetable oil.
You can use any cheddar cheese powder, but for traditional cheddar cheese popcorn, use one with the signature orange color. You can find it in most large supermarkets or on Amazon. If you're in a pinch, you can use the kind that comes in boxed macaroni and cheese.
First, make your popcorn. You can use the paper bag method, an air popper, or make stovetop popcorn. Then, drizzle melted butter over the popcorn and toss to coat. Finally, sprinkle the Cheddar cheese powder over the popcorn and toss to coat.
