Name: Bacon Cheddar Flavored Popcorn Recipe (dairy-free)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
Cuisine: Snack
Ingredients: 1/3 cup popcorn kernels; 2 T coconut oil OR ghee; 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast; 1 tsp smoked paprika; Finely ground salt to taste

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Bacon. Cheddar. Dairy free….. it may sound contradictory, but I promise it’s possible! This healthy flavored popcorn uses nutritional yeast and smoked paprika to create an irresistible snack. It’s the same cheesy hack I use in my favorite cheesy garlic kale chips.

Can Popcorn be a Healthy Snack?

Despite what many think, corn is a grain, not a vegetable. It’s also high in starch and hard for some to digest. So why did I make this recipe then? In moderation, corn can be a nice snack to munch on, and it’s really all about what it’s made with. Movies aren’t quite the same with carrot sticks.

What’s the best popcorn?

Seems like a no brainer, but the popcorn used is worth discussing. Most corn is genetically modified (GMO) and grown with a slew of chemical toxins and pesticides. As of 2011, 88% of all corn was grown GMO according to the Non-GMO Project. But according to the FDA, that number jumped to 92% in 2020! The good news is that the corn varieties used for popcorn are non-GMO.

If you’re feeling ambitious you can grow your own popcorn or get some organic kernels from most stores. Microwave popcorn isn’t the best option since it often contains artificial colors and harmful preservatives. Even some of the natural brands have GMO soybean and canola oil. Then there’s the fact that microwaves change the molecular structure of food in an unnatural way that may not be healthy. Needless to say, I prefer to stick to the real stuff!

Cheesy Flavored Popcorn Without Dairy

Nutritional yeast flakes are an excellent source of energy and brain boosting B vitamins. It’s cheesy and almost buttery, which gives a great flavor to many foods, like these raw, Cheesy Garlic Kale Chips.

Brewer’s yeast offers some of the same nutritional benefits, but it is a waste product of the brewing industry. Over time, the yeast used to ferment the beer becomes contaminated and loses its active abilities. This byproduct is then sold to consumers. Although it is still high in B vitamins, nutritional yeast is preferable. The best source I’ve found for nutritional yeast is Bob’s Red Mill or Bragg’s.

Coconut Oil Popcorn

There’s so much to say about the benefits of coconut oil, but in a nutshell (or coconut shell) it’s incredibly high in beneficial omega-3’s. It’s also high in medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which are easily digested and immediately go to the liver to boost energy. Coconut oil contains more than 40% Lauric acid, which boosts the immune system and has anti-cancer properties.

This oil has gotten a bad rap from some since it’s so high in saturated fat, a supposed cause of heart disease. There are many benefits of coconut oil and this healthy source of saturated fat is nourishing to the body. Both refined and virgin coconut oil have the same amount of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and lauric acid. I prefer to use refined coconut oil in this flavored popcorn recipe, since it doesn’t taste like coconut or overpower the other flavors.

You can get my favorite, non-GMO and organic refined coconut oil here.