Air-Popped Popcorn

This air-popped popcorn is crisp, light, and deeply savory without relying on butter or oil. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami note, while smoked paprika and garlic powder give it a warm, smoky finish.

Nutrition · per serving

132kcal

5.1gProtein

24.9gCarbs

1.9gFat

4.4gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

5 items

Popcorn kernels

popcorn kernels60 g

Savory seasoning

nutritional yeast10 g

smoked paprika1 g

garlic powder1 g

fine salt2 g

Tips

•For better seasoning adhesion without adding meaningful fat, lightly mist the hot popcorn with a little water before tossing, but use only a tiny amount to avoid making it chewy.
•If you prefer a bolder flavor, increase the nutritional yeast to 14 g total.
•Serve as a light snack, movie-night nibble, or crunchy side for soups and sandwiches.

Steps

1
In a small bowl, mix the nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and fine salt until evenly combined. Mixing the dry seasoning first helps it distribute more evenly over the popcorn.
10 g nutritional yeast1 g smoked paprika1 g garlic powder2 g fine salt
2
Air-pop the popcorn kernels in an air popper according to the machine instructions, or in a microwave air-popper bowl, until the popping slows to about 1 to 2 seconds between pops. Do not overcook, or the popcorn can taste scorched.
60 g popcorn kernels
3
Transfer the hot popcorn to a large serving bowl immediately. While still hot, sprinkle over the seasoning in 2 to 3 additions, tossing well after each addition so the fine particles cling better to the warm popcorn.
10 g nutritional yeast1 g smoked paprika1 g garlic powder2 g fine salt
4
Taste and serve right away while crisp. If needed, shake the bowl once more just before serving to redistribute any seasoning that settled at the bottom.

Origin & History

Air-popped popcorn has long been a classic American snack, valued for being inexpensive, quick, and naturally whole-grain. Seasoning it with nutritional yeast reflects a more modern health-food tradition, especially popular in vegan and low-fat home cooking.

american popcorn vegan lowfat snack air-popped beginner

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Steps

In a small bowl, mix the nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and fine salt until evenly combined. Mixing the dry seasoning first helps it distribute more evenly over the popcorn.

10 g nutritional yeast1 g smoked paprika1 g garlic powder2 g fine salt

Air-pop the popcorn kernels in an air popper according to the machine instructions, or in a microwave air-popper bowl, until the popping slows to about 1 to 2 seconds between pops. Do not overcook, or the popcorn can taste scorched.

60 g popcorn kernels

Transfer the hot popcorn to a large serving bowl immediately. While still hot, sprinkle over the seasoning in 2 to 3 additions, tossing well after each addition so the fine particles cling better to the warm popcorn.

10 g nutritional yeast1 g smoked paprika1 g garlic powder2 g fine salt

Taste and serve right away while crisp. If needed, shake the bowl once more just before serving to redistribute any seasoning that settled at the bottom.