This Homemade Cheesy Cheddar Popcorn is a fast and easy party snack you need to try! Plus, since we use REAL cheddar—no cheese powders like most other cheesy popcorn recipes have.
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Cheesy homemade popcorn? What could be BETTER?! (I know what...a Popcorn BAR! 😬) Just line up a few popcorn serving bowls and let everyone build their own.
Popcorn is something I would make with my mother all the time when I was younger.
She never bought the bagged microwave version which I can now appreciate. I prefer making it from scratch so I can control the ingredients and seasoning.
So being a parent myself, I am continuing the tradition of making popcorn with them all the time. Like this Homemade Caramel Corn Popcorn which they love! We keep a big bag of popcorn kernels in the pantry and pop them in a stovetop popcorn popper.
Popcorn Ingredients
- Popcorn- You will need to purchase your own popcorn kernels. Orville Redenbacher is the brand I use all the time.
- Cheese- I recommend using freshly grated cheddar as opposed to the pre-shredded bagged cheese.
- Butter- Butter is a must in my opinion. You can use a little bit if you want to cut the calories but when it comes to popcorn, the butterier the BETTER!
Instructions Step-By-Step
- Add your kernels in a large heavy-bottomed skillet with a few tablespoons of oil. Make sure you have a lid or foil available to cover it up.
- Set the heat to medium-high and wait a few minutes for the kernels to start popping.
- They should take about 2 minutes to pop but listen carefully and remove as soon as the popping starts to slow down. Give the pot a few shakes in between to move the kernels around.
- Pour the popped corn onto a sheet pan.
- Drizzle with melted butter and add grated cheese. Salt to taste.
Cheese Options
For this recipe, I used cheddar cheese but any hard or semi-hard cheese would be delicious! Here are some I recommend:
- Monterey Jack
- Asiago
- Fontina
- Gouda
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
- Swiss
- Provolone
Expert Tips
- Only use freshly popped popcorn. Don't buy store-bought.
- Use freshly shredded, good-quality cheese. It's more flavorful and melts better than bagged cheese.
- Add enough salt to your popcorn. It needs it.
- When in doubt, remove your popcorn earlier rather than later to prevent possible burnt corn.
- Toss popcorn, butter and salt in a large bowl to make seasoning easy and effortless.
- Remove excess kernels before adding cheese.
I hope you enjoy this cheesy popcorn recipe! Leave a comment below if you give it a try! I love hearing from you. ☺️
Homemade Cheesy Cheddar Popcorn
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Add oil and popcorn kernels to a heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven.
- Heat over high heat and cover with aluminum foil or a lid.
- When popcorn starts popping turn to medium-high heat and give the pot a few shakes to move the kernels around.
- After 1-2 minutes, or when the popcorn starts to slow down, take off heat and immediately pour into a large bowl.
- Add melted butter and salt and toss to coat. Transfer to a large baking sheet making sure the popcorn is all touching. (No gaps for the cheese to fall through.)
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese (no need to toss) and bake for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Nutrition
Notes
- Only use freshly popped popcorn. Don't buy store-bought.
- Use freshly shredded quality cheese. It's more flavorful and melted better than bagged cheese.
- Add enough salt to your popcorn. It needs it.
- When in doubt, remove your popcorn earlier rather than later to prevent possible burnt corn.
- Toss popcornm butter and salt in a large bowl to make seasoning easy and effortless.
- Remove excess kernels on baking sheet before adding cheese.
Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!