Kamil Perry
Cheddar cheese popcorn is a popular snack that can be made at home. It is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. The key ingredient is cheddar cheese powder, which can be purchased online or found in some large supermarkets. The powder is sprinkled over freshly made popcorn, along with melted butter, to create a delicious and addictive cheesy snack. Some recipes use real cheese, but this can be more difficult to get right. The beauty of making cheddar cheese popcorn at home is that it can be customized with different spices and herbs to suit individual tastes.
How is Cheddar Cheese Popcorn Made?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Popcorn Kernels, Butter, Oil, Salt, Cheddar Cheese Powder |
| Equipment | Stovetop, Microwave, Air Popper, Oven, Large Bowl |
| Time | 5 minutes |
| Method | Melt butter, toss with popcorn, sprinkle with cheese powder, add salt to taste |
| Variations | Use real cheese, add spices, customize with sweet ingredients |
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What You'll Learn
Using cheddar cheese powder
Cheddar cheese powder is a convenient and effective way to make your own cheddar cheese popcorn at home. It is easily accessible and can be purchased online or at some large supermarkets. The powder can be found at a reasonable price, and you will have plenty left over for future batches of cheese popcorn.
To make your popcorn, start with plain, air-popped popcorn or popcorn that has been popped on the stovetop using oil. You can also use a microwave, but be aware that pre-seasoned microwave popcorn can have flavours that compete with the cheddar cheese. Additionally, the grease from microwave popcorn can make it harder for the cheese powder to stick.
Once you have your plain popcorn, it's time to add the cheese! First, coat the popcorn in melted butter. You can use salted or unsalted butter, and vegan butter also works well. You can also substitute the butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Drizzle the butter over the popcorn and toss to coat.
Next, sprinkle the cheddar cheese powder over the buttered popcorn. You can adjust the amount of cheese powder to your taste preferences, but be aware that using less powder may result in a weaker cheddar flavour. Toss or shake the popcorn to ensure it is completely coated. You can do this in a mixing bowl or a zip-top bag.
Finally, add salt to taste, and your cheddar cheese popcorn is ready to enjoy! It is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in an airtight container for up to two to five days.
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Using real cheese
If you want to make cheddar cheese popcorn with real cheese, you can try crumbling cheese slices and spreading them with the popcorn on a cookie sheet. Put the sheet in the middle rack of a very hot oven for about two to three minutes. You can also try grating or slicing the cheese and sprinkling it over the popcorn. However, this may result in clumps of cheese that don't stick to the popcorn.
Another option is to make a cheese sauce by melting the cheese in a chicken or vegetable stock. However, this method tends to make the popcorn soggy. To avoid this, you can try using ghee instead of butter when making the sauce, or use coconut oil to pop the kernels.
If you want to use powdered cheese, you can make your own by dehydrating cheddar cheese in a microwave and then grinding it into a powder. You can also use the cheddar cheese powder that comes in boxes of macaroni and cheese. This will give your popcorn a more natural flavour than store-bought cheese powder.
Once you've added the cheese, you can season your popcorn with salt, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or even a sweet component like dried fruit and chocolate chips.
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Stovetop method
Making cheddar cheese popcorn on the stovetop is a quick and easy process. It only takes about 5 minutes and requires no special ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious, cheesy stovetop popcorn:
Step 1: Prepare the Popcorn Kernels and Oil
Begin by adding oil to a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven. The amount of oil added should be enough to coat the bottom of the pot. Then, add three popcorn kernels to the pot and cover it with a lid. These are your "test kernels."
Step 2: Heat the Oil
Place the pot over high heat on the stovetop. The oil is ready when the three test kernels pop. This indicates that the oil is hot enough to add the remaining kernels.
Step 3: Add the Remaining Kernels
Once the test kernels have popped, immediately add the remaining 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels to the pot. Cover the pot and remove it from the heat for about 20 seconds. This step is crucial, as it allows the kernels to heat up evenly and ensures that they will pop more synchronously.
Step 4: Return the Pot to the Heat
After 20 seconds, place the pot back on the stovetop over high heat. Continuously shake the pot gently over the burner to prevent the kernels from burning. Listen carefully, as the popping will start to slow down, and you will begin to notice a one-to-two-second interval between pops. This process should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Prepare the Butter and Cheese
While the kernels are popping, you can start preparing the butter and cheese. Melt the butter in a separate container, either in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted. If using the stovetop, be careful not to burn the butter. For the cheese, you can use cheddar cheese powder, which is easily accessible and can be found in macaroni boxes or purchased in bulk or specialty stores. If you prefer a more intense cheddar flavor, you can use a sharper variety of cheddar cheese powder or increase the amount you use.
Step 6: Combine the Popcorn, Butter, and Cheese
Once the popping has slowed, remove the pot from the heat and pour the popped corn into a large bowl. Immediately add the melted butter and cheese powder, tossing gently to coat the popcorn evenly. Sprinkle salt to taste and toss again if needed.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Your homemade cheddar cheese popcorn is now ready to be devoured! It's best enjoyed fresh, so dig in and savor the delicious, cheesy goodness.
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Microwave method
Ingredients
- Popcorn kernels
- Butter
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Brown paper bag
Instructions
Place the popcorn kernels in a medium-sized brown paper bag. Roll the top closed twice to ensure it is secure. This will keep the steam inside while cooking. Place the bag upright in the microwave and cook for around 1 minute and 35-50 seconds, or until the kernels stop popping at a rate of at least 1 per second. Keep an eye on the bag and listen for the popping to slow down.
Once the kernels are popped, pour in the melted butter, roll the bag closed, and shake well. In a small bowl, combine the grated cheddar cheese, mustard powder, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the popcorn while shaking the bag. Roll the bag closed again and shake vigorously to ensure the cheese mixture is well distributed. Enjoy immediately!
Tips
- If you are unable to find cheddar cheese powder, you can use the kind that comes in boxed macaroni and cheese.
- For a more sophisticated flavour, add some rosemary to the cheese mixture.
- If you prefer a simpler method, you can melt the butter in the microwave and then toss the popped corn with butter, salt, and grated cheese in a bowl.
- For a healthier option, use ghee or coconut oil instead of butter, and reduce the amount used.
- If you want to avoid butter altogether, simply add a little oil to the kernels before microwaving.
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Additional flavourings
You can add extra flavourings to your cheddar cheese popcorn. For example, you can add mustard powder, smoked paprika, or a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. If you're using a stovetop, you can also add melted butter to the pan, which will help the cheese stick to the popcorn.
If you want to make your cheddar cheese popcorn spicy, you can add chilli powder, garlic powder, cayenne powder, or chilli pepper. You can also add cumin, which goes well with cheddar cheese.
If you're looking for a sweeter flavour, you can skip the cheese and add cinnamon sugar, vanilla sugar, or chocolate made with brown sugar and cocoa powder. You can also add dried fruit or chocolate chips to your popcorn for a sweet touch.
If you're using real cheese, you can also add butter, chilli powder, garlic powder, and salt to a saucepan and pour the mixture over the popcorn. You can then sprinkle finely shredded cheese over the popcorn and bake it in the oven.
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Frequently asked questions
To make cheddar cheese popcorn, you can use either grated cheddar cheese or cheddar cheese powder. If you're using grated cheese, spread the popcorn and cheese on a cookie sheet and place it in the oven until the cheese has melted. If you're using cheese powder, toss the popcorn in melted butter, sprinkle with cheese powder, and toss again to coat evenly.
To make cheddar cheese popcorn, you will need popcorn kernels, butter, and cheddar cheese or cheddar cheese powder. You can also add salt, garlic powder, or other spices for extra flavor.
Cheddar cheese popcorn can be made in just a few minutes. If you're using grated cheese, it will take about 2-3 minutes in the oven. If you're using cheese powder, it will only take about 5 minutes to toss the popcorn with butter and cheese powder.
