Frederic Melton
Cheddar cheese popcorn is a delicious snack that is perfect for movie nights and holidays. It is easy to make at home and only takes a few minutes. The secret to getting the cheese to stick to the popcorn is to toss the popcorn with melted butter first, which helps the cheese adhere to the popcorn. Then, sprinkle cheddar cheese powder over the popcorn and toss it again to coat it evenly. You can also add other ingredients like mustard powder and salt or use nutritional yeast for a vegan option. The result is a crunchy, salty, and cheesy snack that is hard to resist!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Sharp cheddar, white cheddar, parmesan, nutritional yeast |
| Cheese Form | Powder, slices, grated, melted |
| Popcorn Form | Kernels, stovetop, microwave |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, oil, salt, mustard powder, sour cream powder |
| Storage | Airtight container, stays fresh for about 2 days |
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What You'll Learn
Using butter to make the cheese stick
When making homemade cheddar cheese popcorn, the butter you use is important to ensure the cheese sticks to the popcorn. You can use either sweet cream butter or unsalted butter, depending on your preference for overall flavour.
To begin, melt your butter in a microwave-safe bowl or on a stovetop. If using a microwave, heat in 20-second intervals, checking often to prevent it from exploding. If melting on a stovetop, use low heat and stir frequently.
Once your butter is melted, place your popped popcorn in a large bowl. Drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn and toss the bowl's contents until the popcorn is completely coated. It is important to get the popcorn as covered in butter as possible, as this will help the cheese stick.
Now, sprinkle cheddar cheese powder over the popcorn and toss again to ensure the cheese coats each piece evenly. You can also add a pinch of fine sea salt to balance out the cheesy flavour.
If you are using an air popper, be sure to shake the popcorn with butter or spritz it with oil before adding the cheese powder to help it stick.
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Using cheese powder
Cheddar cheese powder is the key to making popcorn with an even coating of cheese. The cheese powder can be purchased online or from some large supermarkets. It is the same powder used in boxed macaroni and cheese.
To make cheddar cheese popcorn, start by making your popcorn. You can use the paper bag method, a stovetop, an air popper machine, or a microwave popcorn bowl. If you are using an air popper, shake the popcorn with butter or spritz it with oil so that the powder will stick. For a stovetop method, heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, adding three kernels to signal when the oil is hot. Add the remaining kernels, cover, and remove the pan from the heat for about 20 seconds. Place it back on the heat and wait for the kernels to pop.
Once you have your popcorn, drizzle melted butter over it and toss to coat. You can use salted or unsalted butter, or substitute vegan butter or oil. The butter will help the cheese powder stick to the popcorn. Next, sprinkle cheddar cheese powder over the popcorn and toss to coat. You can also add mustard powder and salt to taste. If you have two people, one person can toss the popcorn with spoons while the other sprinkles the cheese. Shake the bowl well so that the powder coats each piece evenly.
Your homemade cheddar cheese popcorn is now ready to enjoy! It will stay fresh for about two days if stored in an airtight container.
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Using real cheese
If you want to make cheddar cheese popcorn with real cheese, you can try grating or crumbling real cheddar cheese over your popcorn. However, this method may result in lumps of cheese that don't stick to the popcorn. To improve the chances of the cheese sticking, you can drizzle melted butter over the popcorn first, and then sprinkle the cheese on top. You can also try putting the popcorn and cheese in the oven for a few minutes, or heating it in the microwave.
If you want to avoid using butter, you can try using ghee or coconut oil instead. Olive oil is another option, especially if you're using Parmesan cheese.
One creative way to use real cheese is to make a "popcorn nacho" type of treat. This involves spreading the popcorn and cheese out on a baking sheet and heating it in the oven. This method may not coat each kernel in cheese, but it will provide you with a tasty, cheesy snack.
Another option is to use dehydrated cheddar cheese. You can make this by dehydrating cheddar cheese in a microwave and then grinding it into a powder. However, this method can be tricky, and the powder may not coat the popcorn evenly.
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Making it vegan
There are several ways to make vegan cheddar cheese popcorn. One popular method is to use nutritional yeast, which has a naturally cheesy flavour. You can sprinkle nutritional yeast flakes on your popcorn to give it a savoury, cheesy taste. This method is also gluten-free.
Another option is to use vegan cheese powder, such as the kind that comes in boxed vegan mac and cheese. This can be purchased or made at home by dehydrating vegan cheese and grinding it into a powder. You can then sprinkle this powder on your popcorn, just like you would with regular cheese powder.
If you're looking for a more natural approach, you can try making a cheese sauce with vegan butter and cheese. However, this method may not coat the popcorn as evenly, and the sauce needs to be carefully balanced to avoid becoming too wet or clumpy.
Finally, you can also experiment with different types of vegan cheese, such as vegan Parmesan, and add spices and seasonings to taste. Some popular options include black pepper, BBQ seasoning, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder.
Vegan cheddar cheese popcorn is a delicious and flexible option for those who want to enjoy this classic snack without dairy or chemicals. With a few simple ingredients and methods, you can create a tasty, cheesy treat that satisfies your cravings.
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Storing and freshness
Storing cheddar cheese popcorn properly is key to maintaining its freshness and maximising its shelf life. The popcorn should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Pantries or cupboards are ideal storage locations.
For unpopped kernels, consistent temperature control is crucial. They should be stored in an opaque, airtight container to protect them from light, heat, moisture, and odours, all of which can cause the kernels to spoil or lose their poppability.
Once the popcorn is popped, it should be stored in an airtight container. This prevents exposure to air, humidity, and other environmental factors that can cause the popcorn to become soggy or stale. The container can be placed in the pantry or cupboard, or even in the freezer, which can extend the popcorn's shelf life. However, freezing may cause the popcorn to lose some of its crunch.
For homemade cheddar cheese popcorn, it is important to ensure the popcorn is thoroughly cooled before storing to avoid condensation. If storing in an airtight container, it is best consumed within one to two weeks for optimal freshness, although it can remain edible for a few weeks more.
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Frequently asked questions
To make cheddar cheese stick to your popcorn, you can toss the popcorn with melted butter until it is completely coated. You can then sprinkle cheddar cheese powder over the popcorn and toss it again to ensure the cheese powder coats each piece evenly.
You can use cheddar cheese powder, which can be found in most large supermarkets or on Amazon. You can also use boxed macaroni and cheese powder. Alternatively, you can use real cheese, such as sharp cheddar or parmesan, but this may result in a clumpier texture.
You can use regular butter, unsalted butter, or dairy-free butter. You can also substitute butter with any kind of oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil.
Cheddar cheese popcorn tends to get stale quickly, so it is best enjoyed right after making it. If stored in an airtight container, it can stay fresh for up to two days.
