How to Make Popcorn Without Oil + 6 Vegan Popcorn Seasoning Recipes - (2024)

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I don't know about your house, but in my house, popcorn is a staple snack food. Unfortunately, because of the way our culture chooses to prepare it, with loads of salt, butter, or oil, popcorn often gets a bad reputation.

But popcorn can be a very delicious and healthy snack, hold the oil. Below are several tips for how to make popcorn without oil, plus 6 dairy-free, vegan popcorn seasoning recipes!

How to Make Popcorn Without Oil

If you're trying to cut back on using oils in your food (or eliminate them altogether), it's important to learn how to cook without. The good news is that oil-free cooking is easier than you might think.

In the case of popcorn, there are a few different ways to make popcorn without oil.

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Air Popper –Your first option is to purchase an air popper. You can buy one at a department store or online for about $20 to $40. The downside to an air popper is the amount of storage and/or counter space it uses.

Oil-Free Stovetop Popcorn –Some people have also had luck making “air-popped” popcorn right on the stove. See this post about healthy oil-free popcorn by Eating Vibrantly.

Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper – This is my preferred method of making fast and easy oil-free popcorn. This silicone microwave popcorn popper folds flat for storage, is easy to clean and makes delicious, fresh popcorn without oil.

How to Make Seasoning Stick to Popcorn Without Oil

There's one problem with making popcorn without oil: it doesn't have much flavor. Before you go munching on bland and boring popcorn, there's one super easy trick to making the seasoning stick to popcorn without oil.

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You will need a small spray bottle (like this travel size spray bottle) and clean water. That's it!

I know what you're thinking: won't my popcorn get soggy if I spray water on it? No! Not if you use it sparingly. Just a little bit will make your popcorn seasoning stick like a charm.

Here's what to do: Give the popped popcorn a light mist of water, sprinkle on some seasoning, toss the popcorn in the bowl, and repeat until seasoned to your liking.

Tried and don't like it? You can always use a little coconut oil. But, I challenge you to give the water method a try.

Vegan Popcorn Seasoning Recipes

These are 6 of my favorite dairy-free, vegan popcorn seasoning recipes.

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I've had several people ask me if I have tried all of them (yes, I have!), and which is my favorite. Of the savory ones, the nacho popcorn seasoning is my most-used favorite. And of the sweet ones, the salted caramel popcorn seasoning is pretty much to die for. They're all pretty great, though.

You can make these seasonings last-minute, or make up a batch of your favorite and store it in a container. The container should fairly airtight to prevent the seasoning mix from caking.

(Scroll to the bottom for a printable version)

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Cool Ranch Popcorn Seasoning: 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp dried parsley, 3 tsp dried chives, 1/2 tsp salt

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Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning: 4 Tbsp light brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon

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Nacho Popcorn Seasoning: 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast, 3 tsp paprika, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt

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Italian Popcorn Seasoning:3 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

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Salted Caramel Popcorn Seasoning: 2 Tbsp powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp turbinado sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp dark brown sugar

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Ranch Popcorn Seasoning: 2 tsp dried dill, 2 tsp dried chives, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper

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5 from 3 votes

Vegan Popcorn Seasoning

But popcorn can be a very delicious and healthy snack, hold the oil. Here are6 dairy-free, vegan popcorn seasoning recipes and a method for seasoning your popcorn without oil.

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean

Keyword oil free, vegan

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Calories 0.05kcal

Author Nerdy Millennial

Ingredients

Cool Ranch Popcorn Seasoning

  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 3 tsp dried chives

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning

  • 4 Tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon

Nacho Popcorn Seasoning

  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 3 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Italian Popcorn Seasoning 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

  • 3 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Salted Caramel Popcorn Seasoning

  • 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp turbinado sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp dark brown sugar

Ranch Popcorn Seasoning

  • 2 tsp dried dill
  • 2 tsp dried chives
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Add the seasonings of your choice in a small bowl. Mix until well combined.

  • Give the popped popcorn a light mist of water, sprinkle on some seasoning, toss the popcorn in the bowl, and repeat until seasoned to your liking.

How to Make Popcorn Without Oil + 6 Vegan Popcorn Seasoning Recipes - (11)

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Emily Thompson

Through her passion for cooking and recipe creation, Emily draws inspiration from treasured moments spent in her grandmother's kitchen and the vibrant cuisines she has encountered around the world. Join her on this flavorful adventure as she shares delightful recipes that embody the essence of her culinary experiences. Discover the secrets of her grandmother's kitchen, explore global flavors, and unleash your own creativity in the joy of cooking with Emily. Get ready to embark on a delicious journey that will leave your taste buds craving more.

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How to Make Popcorn Without Oil + 6 Vegan Popcorn Seasoning Recipes - (2024)

FAQs

How to make seasoning stick to popcorn without oil? ›

If you use oil for popping your popcorn, the seasoning will stick to it easily. However, to get flavor and stick to air-popped popcorn without fat, you can mist your popped popcorn with a bit of water or some other liquid. Sprinkle your popcorn as you move it to the bowl with a little liquid spray bottle.

What is a vegan substitute for butter on popcorn? ›

Coconut oil or vegan butter - I use coconut oil, but vegan butter works really well too and gives the popcorn extra creaminess. Storage - Store uneaten popcorn for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

How to get flavors to stick to popcorn? ›

One surefire way to enhance seasoning stickiness is to make sure your popped corn has some sort of moisture on it - essentially a popcorn coating. You can use a drizzle of melted butter, a spritz of truffle oil, a glaze of caramel or even toss the popcorn in a bit of melted ghee.

What can I use instead of popcorn oil? ›

Peanut Oil is our first choice for the most flavorful, rich, and buttery-like vegetable oil for popping popcorn. Coconut oil is a great choice as well. Clarified butter is another great choice for buttery popcorn. Regular butter will burn and smoke if used, so make sure it is clarified butter.

Can I use butter instead of oil for popcorn? ›

A: Yes. I put 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup of popcorn in the bottom of the popper and pop until the popping slows down. It does nothing to harm the popper and as long as you don't overpop, the popcorn will not burn.

What is the healthiest way to make popcorn? ›

For the healthiest results, pop your corn in an air popper or in the microwave. If using the microwave, put 1/4 cup of kernels in a paper bag, fold the top over twice, and microwave on high for about two minutes, or until the popping slows to about two seconds between pops.

What to season popcorn with? ›

For savory popcorn: Olive oil, kosher salt, and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is the perfect seasoning if you want cheesy flavor but also want vegan popcorn seasoning. For sweet popcorn: Olive oil, cinnamon, and a dash of brown sugar. This will satisfy your sweet cravings without making your teeth hurt!

Can I pop popcorn with butter? ›

Heat 2 tablespoons clarified butter in 7- to 9-quart stockpot over medium-high heat. Add a few popcorn kernels to melted clarified butter and let pop. Once popped, add remaining kernels; swirl to coat in butter.

How to get seasoning to stick to popcorn without butter? ›

You just need to mist your popped popcorn with a little bit of liquid so your seasonings can stick. You can fill a small spray bottle with water or one of the flavor ideas below to make misting easier.

How to make popcorn flavor without butter or oil? ›

For No Salt Seasonings: I use lemon or lime juice, vinegars, or water. For Salted Seasonings: I use diluted Bragg Liquid Aminos, pickle juice, soy sauce or Sriracha when I want a little salty taste for my popcorn.

How to flavor popcorn without butter? ›

Savory seasonings that can be used on popcorn without butter include nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. These seasonings can add a delicious savory kick to your popcorn.

Why is my homemade popcorn not popping? ›

Regardless of how you pop your popcorn, it is important that you heat the kernels evenly. If you have your heat too high and don't agitate (or shake) your pan steadily, the kernels can be too still and you can burn one side of the kernel. That will mean your kernel will pop too early - or not pop at all.

How to make popcorn at home taste like movie popcorn? ›

Instructions
  1. Melt clarified butter or ghee. Melt 1/4 cup clarified butter or ghee in a small saucepan over medium heat. ...
  2. Heat the coconut oil. ...
  3. Add tester kernels. ...
  4. Add the popcorn and pop. ...
  5. Continue to pop and shake the pan. ...
  6. Flavor with butter and salt.
Jan 25, 2024

How do you Flavour dry popcorn? ›

Add some cinnamon for a warm and cosy flavour, or try nutritional yeast for a totally cheesy taste. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect popcorn snack!

How do you make popcorn on the stove with water instead of oil? ›

Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of kernels. Then cover the layer of corn with water — but not enough to make the kernels float. Put the lid on and heat the pan on medium-high. Give it a shake now and then.

How to get seasoning to stick to chips? ›

How do you get seasoning to stick to chips? To get seasoning to stick to chips, mix the chips with olive oil and the seasoning, then bake them in the oven until crispy.

What to put on plain popcorn? ›

Toppings
  1. Melted butter.
  2. Sea salt.
  3. Ranch seasoning.
  4. Tajín.
  5. Cheddar seasoning.
  6. Caramel sauce.
  7. Sprinkles.

References

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