Looking for a quick snack? Try this Easy Cheesy Vegan Popcorn in just 10 minutes! With only 5 ingredients, it's delicious, healthy, and perfect for movie nights or whenever hunger strikes.
Making this vegan popcorn is a breeze! Just pop corn kernels in a skillet, and sprinkle with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt for a cheesy flavor. Perfect for snacking at home or on the go!
Whether curled up on the couch with your favorite film or sharing laughs with friends at a backyard bonfire, this tasty savory snack with just 5 ingredients is delicious, healthy, and fits any occasion.
In search of more vegan snack recipes? Look no further! Try my delicious options like Baked Chips, Spiced Nuts, and Apple Nachos to satisfy your cravings in a healthy and flavorful way!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe can be whipped up in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for satisfying snack cravings in no time.
- Deliciously Cheesy: With the savory flavor of nutritional yeast and garlic powder, this vegan popcorn offers a cheesy taste without any dairy.
- Crunchy Texture: Enjoy the satisfying crunch of freshly popped vegan popcorn with each bite, adding a delightful texture to your snacking experience.
- Healthy Choice: Packed with whole grains and plant-based ingredients, this snack is not only tasty but also nutritious.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults, it's a snack the whole family can enjoy together.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Oil: I personally enjoy using extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor, but other options like coconut oil or canola oil work well too.
Vegan Butter is also an excellent choice for adding a buttery flavor to the popcorn while keeping it plant-based.
Nutritional Yeast: This ingredient is key to giving the popcorn its cheesy flavor. Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of B vitamins and is also rich in umami flavor.
If you can't find it, you can omit it, but it will alter the cheesy taste of the popcorn.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds an additional flavor kick and complements the cheesy taste of the nutritional yeast wonderfully.
You can omit it if you don't enjoy the taste of garlic or if you don't have it on hand.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
- Spicy Sriracha Popcorn: Add a drizzle of Sriracha sauce to the popped popcorn for a spicy kick. Sprinkle with a pinch of Chili Powder for extra heat.
- Sweet and Salty Popcorn: Drizzle melted vegan butter over the popped popcorn and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet and savory flavor combination.
- Herb-Infused Popcorn: Mix dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano with melted vegan butter, then toss with the popped popcorn for a fragrant and savory snack.
- Curry Coconut Popcorn: Mix Curry Powder and coconut flakes with melted vegan butter, then toss with the popped popcorn for a tropical twist.
- Garlic Parmesan Popcorn: Sprinkle the popped popcorn with Vegan Parmesan Cheese and a pinch of Italian Seasoning for a classic cheesy flavor with a garlic twist.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1. Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
Step 2. When the oil is hot, add 3-4 individual kernels to the skillet or pot, then cover.
Step 3. Once they pop, add the remaining kernels and cover again. Shake the skillet or pot occasionally to prevent burning.
Step 4. When the popping dies down, remove from heat, add the seasonings (nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt), and shake the skillet or pot well to combine.
💭 Expert tips
- Use a Heavy-Bottomed Skillet or Pot: A heavy-bottomed skillet or pot helps distribute heat evenly, reducing the risk of burning your popcorn.
- Preheat the Skillet or Pot: Preheat your skillet or pot with the oil before adding the popcorn kernels. This ensures they start cooking immediately and pop evenly.
- Keep the Lid on Tight: Keeping the lid securely in place traps steam, helping the kernels pop faster and more evenly.
- Shake Frequently: Shake the skillet or pot frequently while popping to prevent any kernels from burning and to ensure even cooking.
- Season Immediately: Season your popcorn as soon as it's done popping while it's still warm. This allows the seasonings to stick better and distribute evenly.
❓Recipe FAQs
Leftover vegan popcorn can be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
Make sure the container is tightly sealed to keep the popcorn fresh and crunchy.
Avoid storing it in the refrigerator or freezer as the moisture can cause the popcorn to become stale or chewy.
If the popcorn starts to lose its crispiness, you can briefly reheat it in the oven at a low temperature to restore its texture.
To make oil-free vegan popcorn, use an air popper instead of cooking the kernels in oil.
Simply place the popcorn kernels in the air popper, let it pop until done, then season with your favorite toppings like nutritional yeast or garlic powder.
Toss to coat evenly and enjoy your healthy, crunchy snack without the need for added oil.
To prevent vegan popcorn from burning, start with medium-high heat, shake the skillet or pot occasionally, and keep the lid on to trap steam.
Ensure even oil distribution and remove from heat when popping slows down.
Yes, you can!
Simply place the popcorn kernels in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid, and heat on high for 2-4 minutes, or until the popping slows down to 2 seconds between pops.
Be sure to listen closely to prevent burning. Once popped, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave, season as desired, and enjoy your freshly made popcorn!
No oil is needed for microwave popcorn, as the kernels will pop using their natural moisture.
Certainly! You can enhance the flavor of your popcorn with various seasonings beyond the traditional ones like nutritional yeast and garlic powder.
Options include chili powder for spice, smoked paprika for a smoky taste, or cinnamon and sugar for sweetness.
Other favorites include taco seasoning, curry powder, ranch seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, lemon pepper, and herbs like rosemary or thyme.
🌱 More vegan snack recipes
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a rating and comment below!
Easy Cheesy Vegan Popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil, or even vegan butter
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot, add 3-4 individual kernels to the skillet or pot, then cover.
- Once they pop, add the remaining kernels and cover again. Shake the skillet or pot occasionally to prevent burning.
- When the popping dies down, remove from heat, add the seasonings (nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt), and shake the skillet or pot well to combine.
Notes
- Use a Heavy-Bottomed Skillet or Pot: A heavy-bottomed skillet or pot helps distribute heat evenly, reducing the risk of burning your popcorn.
- Preheat the Skillet or Pot: Preheat your skillet or pot with the oil before adding the popcorn kernels. This ensures they start cooking immediately and pop evenly.
- Keep the Lid on Tight: Keeping the lid securely in place traps steam, helping the kernels pop faster and more evenly.
- Shake Frequently: Shake the skillet or pot frequently while popping to prevent any kernels from burning and to ensure even cooking.
- Season Immediately: Season your popcorn as soon as it's done popping while it's still warm. This allows the seasonings to stick better and distribute evenly.
Mitzy says
You can make it sweet by adding adding sweetener when you add the kernels.
Iosune Robles says
Hi Mitzy! Sounds so good 🙂
SLG says
Hi Iosune,
Is there a sweet version of this popcorn recipe? Thanks
Iosune Robles says
Hi! We don't have any sweet version of them, sorry 🙁 Have a nice day!
Barbara says
I pop it in the microwave in a brown paper lunch bag.
Iosune says
Hi Barbara! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Kate says
What a nice idea to give us a healthy popcorn recipe. Thank you! I also like to just add some sea salt and a little agave nectar for a sweet and salty flavor.
Iosune says
Hi Kate! You're so welcome 🙂 Sounds great!
Donna says
I don't use oil, I bought a hot air popcorn maker and it works terrific and there is no oil. The problem is the nutritional yeast doesn't stick but we each have our own little containers of nutritional yeast and we lick the popcorn and then dip them in the yeast and it works great. We get way fewer calories this way. If I absolutely have to use oil, which is hardly ever, I only use grapeseed oil as it is the safest because it has a higher boiling point and doesn't become toxic when heated.
Iosune says
Hi Donna! Thanks a lot for your valuable comment 🙂 Sounds great!