This is a variation of our homemade microwave popcorn base recipe. Popcorn can be a delicious and healthy snack when you make your own. By making popcorn at home, you avoid unnecessary ingredients, unhealthy oils, and excessive salt in ready-to-pop bags. All it takes is a brown bag or a large microwaveable bowl with a lid! Looking for a cheesy flavor without the cheese? Try this nutritional yeast popcorn for a fun twist!
Must Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for How to Make Nutritional Yeast Popcorn
Wondering how to make popcorn in the microwave with a bag? Use a brown lunch sack, and be sure to fold over the top twice so you don’t have a popcorn explosion in your microwave!
But what about how to make popcorn in the microwave without a bag? You just need a large bowl with a lid. There are some great collapsible silicone versions. Our favorite one can be found here.
Regardless of bag or bowl, do not burn the popcorn! It can happen in an instant and ruin the whole batch. Use your ears, and stop the microwave when it sounds like there are longer than 2-3 seconds between pops. It’s better to pull the bag early than too late.
Let the bag or bowl rest for a few minutes before opening. There can be some delayed pops from kernels, and it will be super hot!
Mix the spices and nutritional yeast with the oil first to distribute the flavor better.
Involve your kids in this recipe. It’s super easy, fast, and fun!
Ingredient Substitutions
- Popcorn kernels: use any variety. Didn’t know there was more than one kind? Try this fun variety pack.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: use plain, infused, or even truffle oil. Don’t have extra virgin olive oil on hand? Check out the oils from Enzo’s Table for great flavor and quality or substitute avocado or canola oil. If you can’t live without butter on your popcorn, that will work, too.
- Sea Salt: use any variety. Sea salt is a good choice because of its texture. Its small granules coat the popcorn better than kosher, but kosher or iodized salt still work!
Recipe Variations
This recipe already has a ton of spices, but consider adding a dried or fresh herb to the mix! Dried or fresh thyme would complement the spices well. The Spice House carries great selection and quality.
Want some popcorn inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide, or check out our favorite popcorn variations!
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success:
- Brown lunch bag or large microwaveable bowl with a lid
- Measuring Spoons
- Whisk
Is this Nutritional Yeast Popcorn Recipe Healthy?
You bet! Popcorn is a whole grain, and when you make it from scratch, you control the ingredients! No palm oil, artificial flavors, or excess salt here. The featured ingredients in this recipe are popcorn, extra virgin olive oil, and spices.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a whole grain, which means it provides our bodies with vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytonutrients, and healthy fats. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Phytonutrients work as antioxidants to help fight off diseases and keep us healthy.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean Diet. It contains high amounts of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, which may reduce inflammation.
Spices
Spices add flavor and nutrition to this recipe. Using spices decreases the need for more salt, which may help reduce hypertension risk and promote heart health. Additionally, spices contain powerful antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the body.
Learn more about the health benefits of different foods and ingredients in our book, To Your Taste!
Serving Suggestions
This homemade microwave popcorn is a great snack on its own! You can also pair it with trail mix or nuts for additional fat and protein to help keep you satisfied until your next meal.
Homemade Microwave Popcorn Storage Tips
Popcorn is best eaten fresh from the microwave, but you can make it in advance. Store in an airtight bag or container for no more than 2 days to ensure freshness.
Want more healthy snack recipes?
Try out these delicious base recipes!
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Share the Love – Leave us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we actually encourage you to tweak our recipes. Not because they’re in need of change, haha, but because we believe one of the secrets to success in the kitchen is cooking to YOUR taste. Make the recipe, leave us a review, and tell us if you made any changes! We love hearing how you’ve made it your own.
Nutritional Yeast Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Dash black pepper
- Dash turmeric
Instructions
- Add popcorn kernels to a brown paper lunch bag. Fold the top of the bag over twice to close shut. Alternatively, use a silicone popcorn bowl. Place in the microwave and cook for 1-2 minutes, or use the popcorn button and set the weight to 2 ounces. Microwave until there are about 2-3 seconds between pops.
- In a large bowl, whisk to combine the oil, nutritional yeast, spices, and salt. Add popped popcorn, and stir with your hands or a spatula until evenly coated. Enjoy!
