Best Cheese Powder for Popcorn

Making popcorn at home is such a classic snack, but let's be real - plain old popcorn can start to feel a little boring after a while. The best way to jazz up your popcorn and make it a truly crave-able snack is to add a sprinkling of delicious cheese powder! Truly, it’s a great addition to movie nights.

With so many cheese powder options on the market though, it can be hard to know which brand to choose to get that authentic cheese flavor to level up your snack time. In this guide, we'll walk through what to look for when selecting a cheese powder, from the type of real cheese used to the right texture and flavor.

We'll also share pro tips for storing cheese powder properly so it retains its flavor, whether you should air pop or stove top pop your kernels, and fun ways to experiment with mixing flavors and extra seasonings. And for those who want total control over ingredients, we've got a recommendation for how to make your own homemade cheese popcorn powder customized to your taste.

What to Look for in Cheese Powder

So what is the best cheese powder for popcorn? There are a few factors to consider when choosing a cheese powder for popping corn.

Real Cheese for Authentic Flavor

When searching for the perfect cheese powder, the first thing to check is the ingredients list. The best powders are made with real, natural cheese for the most authentic flavor. Real cheeses like cheddar or parmesan cheese give cheese powder a richer, more nuanced taste than artificial flavors. So skip the powders with "cheese flavor" and go for the real deal. Trust me, this powder will be the perfect addition to your cheesy snack.

Minimal Ingredients

You'll also want to avoid cheese powders with a long list of artificial ingredients. Look for products with a simple ingredients list, ideally containing just cheese, salt, and natural flavors. Steer clear of powders with artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can diminish the natural cheesy taste. The best cheese powder will provide cheesy goodness without any additives you can't pronounce.

Finely Powdered Texture

When you find a cheese powder made with real cheese and minimal ingredients, make sure it's a finely powdered product that dissolves easily. Large, gritty pieces of cheese won't properly coat the popcorn. A smooth, fine powder will distribute the cheesy flavor evenly. For peak flavor, store cheese powder in an airtight container in a cool  dry place. Properly stored, it will retain its flavor for several months.

Top Cheese Powders for Popcorn

Here are some of the top picks for the best powdered cheese for popcorn that you can get from your local grocery store:

●     Gold Medal Signature Shakes Cheddar Cheese Powder - This is a delightful addition to your kitchen pantry, especially if you're a fan of adding a mild cheddar cheese flavor to your dishes. This vibrant yellow, maltodextrin-based powder is perfect for a variety of uses, from sprucing up your popcorn and mac and cheese to enhancing potatoes and dips. It's available in both substantial 25-lb packages for bulk usage and convenient 4-lb jars for regular home cooking.

●     The Snappy Popcorn Seasoning bundle -This 3-count pack includes both cheddar cheese and white cheddar cheese seasonings, perfect for those who love an extra cheesy kick. Alongside these, the 12 oz buttery-flavored theater popcorn salt is included, bringing that authentic movie theater taste right into your home.

●     Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder - This all-natural powder has a strong, tangy cheddar flavor. It's made from cultured cheddar cheese, salt, and natural flavor. The bright orange color looks attractive on popcorn.

●     King Arthur Better Cheddar Cheese Powder - This gourmet cheddar cheese powder gets rave reviews for its smooth, creamy flavor as it’s made with Vermont sharp cheddar cheese (which is why it’s previously called Vermont cheddar cheese powder.)

●     Hoosier Hill Farm White Cheddar Cheese Powder - If you prefer white cheddar, this powder provides cheesy richness without artificial colors. It's an all-natural blend of white cheddar cheese, salt, and natural flavor.

How to Use Cheese Powder on Popcorn

Once you've selected an awesome cheese powder, here are our favorite ways to use it for next-level popcorn.

Sprinkle on Top

Simply sprinkling it on freshly popped corn is a fast and easy option. For an even coating, place the hot popcorn and powder in a large bowl and toss well. Shake any extra powder from the bottom of the bowl onto the popcorn before serving for ultra cheesy flavor.

Cheese Sauce

You can also use cheese powder to make easy homemade cheddar popcorn or white cheddar popcorn. Pop the kernels on the stove or with an air popper, then simply melt some butter and whisk in the cheese powder to make a quick cheese sauce. Drizzle it over the popcorn and toss to coat. The sauce helps the powder stick to each kernel for the richest, cheesiest snack.

Homemade Popcorn Cheese Powder

Making homemade cheddar cheese popcorn powder is another way to create your own signature popcorn seasoning. Simply blend grated real cheeses like parmesan, cheddar, and gouda in a food processor until powdered. Then add spices for extra rich flavor. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne are great options. Store the homemade blend in an airtight container.

How Much Powder to Use

When using cheese powder on popcorn, start with just a little and increase the amount to taste. Too much powder can make the popcorn taste overly salty. The best cheese powder to popcorn ratio is usually 1 to 2 tablespoons of powder per 6 cups of popped corn. Adjust according to your preferences.

Storing Your Cheese Powder

Aside from proper storage of popcorn kernels, you also need to pay attention to cheese powders. Storing\ these isn't too tricky. Just keep it in a cool, dry place like your pantry or cupboard. Ziploc bags or airtight containers work great. That'll help keep it fresh and prevent any clumping or funky textures.

Tips for the Best Cheese Popcorn Experience

●     Use an air popper or popcorn maker if you have one. Using air-popped popcorn allows you to control the amount of salt and oil used.

●     Pop the popcorn plain first before adding any cheese powder or other seasonings. This prevents the cheese powder from burning or clumping.

●     Let the popcorn cool slightly before coating it with cheese powder. If it's too hot, the cheese can burn or get gummy.

●     Drizzle a bit of olive oil or melted butter over the popcorn first. This helps the cheese powder stick evenly.

●     Add other spices like garlic powder, cayenne, ranch seasoning, etc. But go light, you don't want to overwhelm the cheese flavor.

If you like savory and sweet popcorn, check out this article on Chicago Style popcorn.

Here’s some options for vegan popcorn if you aren’t down with the dairy.