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    Home » APPETIZERS + SNACKS

    Nutritional Yeast Popcorn (Best Popcorn Ever!!)

    June 11, 2016

    Nutritional yeast popcorn is not only the best popcorn ever, it's the healthiest! Popcorn tossed with olive oil, your favorite seasoned salt, and nutritional yeast.

    This post includes my recommendations for the best popcorn popper for the money, and the best kernels.

    Jump to Recipe
    A bunch of popcorn scattered across some parchment paper, with a jar of nutritional yeast.
    Jump to:
    • First, Get the Right Equipment
    • Second, Get the Right Popcorn
    • Nutritional Yeast Popcorn
    • More Ways to Use Nutritional Yeast
    • More Snacks or Party Food Ideas
    • Nutritional Yeast Popcorn (Best Popcorn Ever!!) Recipe
    • 🌱 Sign up for my emails, and get my 5 tips for easy vegetarian meals!

    My dad wasn't a cook. I don't have a single memory of him even working the grill. Mom and I joked that he could rebuild a toaster, but clueless on toasting his own bread. To this day, I can't remember a single thing he ever cooked.

    Except popcorn.

    He was a master at popcorn, and poured any interest he had in cooking into this simple snack. He started with Jiffy Pop. Do you remember this one from your childhood? It's still (shockingly) available.

    For those who don't, Jiffy Pop comes in a heavy foil pan suitable for stovetop cooking, filled with popcorn kernels, and covered with more heavy foil. As a child, it was fun to watch the foil balloon up as the popcorn popped on the stove.

    But it often burned, and, sorry Jiffy Pop, it just wasn't very good.

    So dad valiantly researched popcorn makers in Consumer Reports, his Bible of sorts, and a couple of times a year purchased a new popper he was convinced would up his game. Unsurprisingly, he was the first in his circle of friends to have an air popper.

    Plus he tested every popcorn kernel on the market, searching for the best kernel that would pop up into a fluffy morsel with just the right crunch. Orville Reddenbacher kernels were his personal favorite. 

    First, Get the Right Equipment

    So when my husband and I recently decided to cut back on sugar, we decided popcorn was a good alternative to chocolate chip cookies.

    I purchased this nifty popcorn popper in an after Christmas sale. It's GREAT. And here's why:

    • It's specially designed to circulate hot air in the container to help prevent burning and promote getting all those kernels to pop.
    • It's healthy because it's air-popped. Zero oil, my friends.
    • The silicone top is handy because it's not only a lid, but it has 2 other purposes. It's the measuring cup for the kernels, so you don't need to go scrounging for a measuring cup.  And it's perforated. That means if you really must have butter on your popcorn, just put a knob of butter in it before scooting it into the microwave. The butter melts over the popcorn, just like in the movie theaters.
    • It's all dishwasher safe.

    In fact, we liked this popper so well, we bought two: one for our home outside San Francisco + one for our condo in the mountains.

    Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper filled with popped popcorn.

    Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper, Borosilicate Glass, 3-in-1 Silicone Lid, Dishwasher Safe, BPA Free, 3 Quart

    And now the folks at Micro Popcorn have introduced another popcorn popper. This new one offers everything the first one did, but it's half the size.

    A small popcorn popper from Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper Company, filled with popped popcorn.

    Ecolution Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper, Borosilicate Glass, 3-in-1 Silicone Lid, Dishwasher Safe, BPA Free, 1.5 Quart Snack Size, Red

    This post includes affiliate links, which help support the cost of running this blog. If you choose to purchase something through the links, you'll be supporting my blog without paying any additional cost for the product.

    Second, Get the Right Popcorn

    Next I researched all kinds of kernels.

    After trying several, I found that Bob's Red Mill kernels popped up to almost one and a half times the size of other kernels. Seriously. When popped, Bob's Red Mill kernels completely filled the container. The other kernels I tried, filled the container ⅔ - ¾ full.

    If you can't find them, and I don't always either, just order them! They're worth it, IMHO.

    Two bags of Bob's Red Mill White Popcorn Kernels.

    Bob's Red Mill Whole Yellow Popcorn, 27 Oz (4 Pack)

    Popcorn kernels in a Micro Popcorn popper, on a countertop.
    You don't need a lot of popcorn kernels when using Bob's Red Mill kernels.

    Nutritional Yeast Popcorn

    And lastly, I started to experiment with adding flavors. Enter, nutritional yeast, the real secret to making addictive popcorn. It gives popcorn a cheesy flavor similar to Doritos, but omg so much healthier. (Sorry Doritos!)

    Nutritional yeast is loaded with healthy nutrients, and is considered one of those super foods we should all be eating.  It has lots of uses. And for vegetarians, and especially vegans, it's a complete protein.

    I add it to soups, pasta dishes and vegetables. It's great sprinkled on zucchini and then sautéed. I also shower it over delicata squash slices and then bake them up.

    But my favorite way of using this fabulous ingredient is making nutritional yeast popcorn. It's completely addictive. So, consider yourself warned.

    I find nutritional yeast in the bulk bins at my market, but you can also purchase it pre-packaged.

    Two bottles of Bragg's Nutritional Yeast.

    Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning Shaker Top, 4.5 ounce, 2 Pack

    More Ways to Use Nutritional Yeast

    If you're looking for a great vegan recipe that includes nutritional yeast, check out these Sesame Crusted Sweet Potato Cakes. They're so healthy and delicious!

    And this Cauliflower Scampi dish uses nutritional yeast as an alternative to Parmesan cheese.

    More Snacks or Party Food Ideas

    These Curried Apple Chips are a great snack or appetizer to serve at a party with cheese and crackers. They're soaked, dusted with curry powder and dried in a low temperature oven for a healthy snack.

    Chex Mix was another childhood favorite at my house growing up. And this grown up Toffee Chex and Popcorn Party Mix takes it to a whole new level.

    For a party, make these jalapeño mac and cheese bites. They're perfect finger food, and big crowd pleasers!

    Don't have time to run to the grocery store? Order the ingredients for this recipe using Instacart (affiliate link). Just click on the Instacart button in the recipe card below, and the ingredients will all be organized for you on their site. Plug in your zip code, choose the store you prefer, and select the ingredients you want delivered to your home.

    A bunch of popcorn scattered across some parchment paper, with a jar of nutritional yeast.
    Print Recipe
    4.42 from 67 votes

    Nutritional Yeast Popcorn (Best Popcorn Ever!!) Recipe

    Add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to your next batch of popcorn for the most addictive snack ever!
    Prep Time3 mins
    Cook Time4 mins
    Total Time7 mins
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: nutritional yeast popcorn
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 228.8kcal
    Author: The Wimpy Vegetarian

    Equipment

    • Micro- Pop Popcorn Popper

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup White popcorn kernels
    • 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Seasoned salt mix
    • 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast

    Instructions

    • Measure the popcorn kernels in the top lid of the Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper, and spill them into the popper. Place it in a microwave oven, and pop for 4 minutes (depending on the strength of your microwave oven.
    • Transfer the popped popcorn into a large bowl. Drizzle the popcorn with
    • Drizzle with olive oil enough to lightly coat. It's best to start with a couple tablespoons and add more as desired.
      Sprinkle with the seasoned salt to your own tastes - again it's best to start with a smaller amount as it's easy to add more if you want.
    • Generously sprinkle with nutritional yeast - this is magic stuff that really makes this popcorn addictive.
    • Toss with your hands or a wooden spoon to coat the popcorn, and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15.2g | Saturated Fat: 2.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10.4g | Sodium: 1164.5mg | Potassium: 206.6mg | Fiber: 4.5g | Sugar: 0.2g | Calcium: 1.9mg | Iron: 1.2mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Ninja Baker

      June 12, 2016 at 2:05 am

      Thank you for doing the inspired research, Susan. Interesting that a brand known for being healthy has the kernels to match your cheese-like nutritional yeast...Ps.For some reason popcorn is a popular snack in Japan right now =)

    2. shelby

      June 12, 2016 at 2:27 am

      5 stars
      This is my FAVORITE way to eat popcorn! We did this all the time also. I even have Grumpy hooked on it - but for some strange reason he calls it "flux" lol

    3. The Finer Cookie/Kim

      June 12, 2016 at 5:29 am

      Men can be so stubborn! Such a cute post. I had popcorn for dinner last night.

    4. Nicole - Crazed Mom

      June 12, 2016 at 7:19 am

      Hey woman! I am dying to try this now! We have that same popcorn "maker". My son has it living next to the microwave, he makes popcorn so much! Definitely trying this!

    5. Bestguidesforhealth

      June 12, 2016 at 7:43 am

      5 stars
      Thank you. I try make it.

    6. TerriSue

      June 12, 2016 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      Hi Susan, We discovered nutritional yeast 35 years ago when we became vegetarians. One of the first cookbooks I bought was THE FARM COOKBOOK. I can't even remember where we got the tip about putting nutritional yeast on popcorn but my husband has probably had it that way every Sunday night for the last 35 years with only a few missed weeks. An early present in our marriage for him from me was a shaker that could handle the size of the yeast and had a slide closure on it. It is sitting in our fridge right now. I never thought about using olive oil though. We cut out the butter long ago. Tonight I am going to bring out the EVOO and step up the flavor of a long standing Sunday dinner! It is so much better than Jiffy Pop. I never had that where it wasn't burn't and burn't popcorn has a horrible smell and taste. Entertainment wise, for a child anyways, was there ever anything better than Jiffy Pop?

    7. Jennifer

      June 12, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Ooh! My family loves popcorn, and cheese popcorn...yes! I've heard a lot of good things about nutritional yeast, I'll have to try it!

    8. Liz

      June 12, 2016 at 1:21 pm

      I love popcorn and this sounds like a delicious way to get my fix. Thanks for the BRM recommendation, too!

    9. Sam @ PancakeWarriors

      June 12, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      Love nooch for it's cheesy qualities!! So perfect on popcorn!

    10. Cindy Kerschner

      June 12, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Now I need to get these ingredients and start popping!

    11. Carlee

      June 12, 2016 at 8:14 pm

      How funny that he'd rather suffer the headaches than make the coffee! I can appreciate a good stubborn streak! We also love popcorn and I have been interested in trying nutritional yeast. I think I need to just go for it!

    12. Stacy

      June 13, 2016 at 5:46 am

      5 stars
      I've been waiting for this one since I saw your title in the forum, Susan! I bought a bag of nutritional yeast that I have only used to make one thing, a lovely chickpea veggie soup from Kathy Heston's Easy Vegan Cookbook - which I highly recommend, by the way. I'll be putting it on popcorn now too. Thank you!

    13. monica

      June 13, 2016 at 11:59 am

      Your dad sounds so much like my husband. We have movie night with the kids and he has the big carnival popper on wheels - it's wayyyy to much popcorn but the Grandchildren love it. I've never tried Bob's red Mill for some reason though I love their products.

    14. Wendy Klik

      June 13, 2016 at 6:32 pm

      I have never tried nutritional yeast. I am going to rectify that with this popcorn recipe. Thanks

    15. Sarah Reid, CNP (@jo_jo_ba)

      June 13, 2016 at 6:56 pm

      How awesome! Lucky dad

    16. Constance Smith

      June 14, 2016 at 8:41 am

      What a great idea!

    17. Liz @ Books n' Cooks

      June 14, 2016 at 6:01 pm

      I've never heard of adding nutritional yeast to popcorn, but after your wonderful post, I'm definitely going to try it!

    18. Oui, Chef

      June 27, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      I've heard of seasoning popcorn with nutritional yeast, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. Now, with your rave review, I MUST!

    19. best kitchen gadgets

      July 15, 2016 at 2:33 pm

      You're dad's cool! At least, the whole family can count on him during movie night at home.

    20. Jake

      October 10, 2016 at 7:02 am

      5 stars
      I'm totally agree with you : pop corn made with nutritional yeast is the best ever !

    21. Jenni

      January 30, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      Nutritional yeast on popcorn is the best! I pop mine in ghee/coconut oil and then go crazy with the nooch and some other toppings. Popcorn for dinner is my favorite!

      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        January 30, 2020 at 2:02 pm

        5 stars
        Oh yes!!!! I love popcorn for dinner!!!

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    Susan at The Wimpy Vegetarian

    I'm a mostly vegetarian married to a mostly carnivore and am on a constant hunt for healthy, delicious recipes we'll both like. Most recipes here are vegetarian with tips for adding meat or fish for the meat-eaters at the table. Whether you're vegetarian, or just wanting to eat less meat, I hope you'll find inspiration here to try something new for your own table, even if you're sharing it with someone with different eating preferences.

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