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Popcorn is one of my favorite no-cook snacks to make for game nights with friends, holiday gifts, and casual happy hour at home. This cheesy everything bagel popcorn is tossed with butter, white cheddar powder, and everything-but-the-bagel seasoning for a crunchy snack you can eat by the handful. And it takes just 5 minutes to make!

A hand reaching into a white bowl of cheesy everything bagel popcorn on a pink counter next to beer, dominoes, and a white bowl of everything seasoning.

I’ve noticed that restaurants are starting to add gourmet popcorn to their bar menus and I am here for it. Popcorn, cold beer, and bar seating? I mean, yes 100% I’m there.

Popcorn is one of those snacks that can fit every situation. Of course, it’s one of my go-tos for movie nights or game nights with friends. But I also like serving it before a dinner party or happy hour at home! That’s because first of all, it’s just a fact that everyone loves popcorn. And secondly, if you add a few “fancier” ingredients, it’s an elegant, casual, and crowd-pleasing app to snack on while you sip drinks.

Back when I was in culinary school, I learned about the magic that is cheese powder and I’ve been sprinkling it over popcorn ever since. But with some everything bagel seasoning on top too? Ugh, it’s so good. I can and will eat the whole bowl by myself, not sorry!

This popcorn would also be amazing with other crowd-pleasing snacks like spicy ranch snack mix or these flaky little smokies in a blanket. They’re some of my most popular party apps!

The best cheese powder for popcorn

A jar of cheese powder on a pink counter next to a white bowl of popcorn, dominoes, and beer.
White and brown bowls of cheese powder, salt, corn kernels, everything seasoning, and butter on a pink counter.

For this recipe, you will need some kind of cheese powder. In terms of which cheese powder is best, that’s totally going to depend on what you like! My favorite is King Arthur’s Better Cheddar which I order online. But you can usually find cheddar seasoning in the popcorn aisle at the grocery store. If you can’t find either, feel free to use a packet of cheese powder from a box of mac and cheese.

In addition to the cheese powder, you will also need popcorn kernels, butter, everything seasoning, and Morton’s Kosher salt. To make your own everything seasoning, combine equal parts sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dehydrated garlic flakes, & dehydrated onion flakes.

Depending on the saltiness of the cheese powder you use, you may or may not need the salt. Make sure to taste the popcorn before you add any extra!

Key tool – popcorn maker!

A vintage air popper on a pink counter.

You know the episode of How I Met Your Mother where Ted has a coffee-maker named Shocky that always zaps him when he plugs it in? The Popcorn Pumper is my Shocky. All of the pieces fall apart if you just breathe on the machine so it’s kind of like playing Jenga every time you make popcorn. But my grandma gave it to me and it’s by far one of my favorite things in my kitchen!

Of course, you don’t have to have an air popper to make this recipe. But if you make popcorn at home a lot, it’s totally worth the investment! It gives you fresh, super crunchy, and unflavored popcorn so you can add your own seasonings. And don’t worry, you can buy modern versions that aren’t from 1978. 😉

If you don’t have a popcorn popper, no worries! You can use microwave bags of unflavored popcorn. You can also buy pre-popped, unseasoned popcorn in the chip aisle of the grocery store. Or, feel free to make it on the stove instead.

Make this recipe

Two steps to making homemade popcorn. In photo 1, an air popper pops popcorn into a white bowl on a pink counter. In photo 2, a hand pours a white bowl of butter into the popcorn.
Start by popping the popcorn kernels. Then, add the melted butter & toss.
Three steps to making cheesy everything bagel popcorn. In photo 1, a hand is sprinkling a white bowl of cheese powder into a white bowl of popcorn on a pink counter. In photo 2, a hand is sprinkling a white bowl of everything seasoning in the bowl. In photo 3, hands use tongs to toss the popcorn.
Add the cheese powder, & everything seasoning. Taste & add salt if needed.

To help the cheese powder and everything seasoning stick to the popcorn, toss the popcorn as you add the seasonings. This will help evenly distribute the seasonings so they stick to every piece of popcorn.

A white bowl of cheesy everything popcorn on a pink counter next to dominoes, a white bowl of everything spice, and beer.

How to store leftovers

If you have leftovers, pour them into a zipper bag or airtight container. Store the leftovers in the pantry for up to 1 week. After a week, the popcorn will start to go stale. Honestly, I think it tastes best the sooner you eat it!

Re-crisping popcorn

Leftover popcorn can lose its crunchy texture over time. But no worries! You can totally crisp it back up in the air fryer or oven.

  • Air fryer – place the popcorn in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Heat it at 250°F (121°C) for 3-5 minutes, tossing the popcorn frequently to keep it from burning.
  • Oven – spread the popcorn in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bake it at 250°F (121°C) for about 5-7 minutes, tossing it often so it doesn’t burn.
A white bowl of cheesy everything bagel popcorn on a pink counter next to beer, dominoes, and a white bowl of everything seasoning.

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Cheesy Everything Bagel Popcorn

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Popcorn is one of my favorite no-cook snacks to make for game nights with friends, holiday gifts, and casual happy hour at home. This cheesy everything bagel popcorn is tossed with butter, white cheddar powder, and everything-but-the-bagel seasoning for a crunchy snack you can eat by the handful. And it takes just 5 minutes to make!
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Ingredients

  • 118 grams popcorn kernels (1/2 cup)
  • 28 grams good-quality butter, melted (2 Tablespoons)
  • 65 grams cheese powder (1/4 cup)
  • 16 grams everything bagel seasoning (2 Tablespoons)
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Equipment

  • Air popper

Instructions 

  • Using an air popper, pop the popcorn kernels into a large bowl. (See notes for air popper alternatives.)
  • Next, add the melted butter to the popcorn while tossing constantly to make sure the butter is evenly distributed.
  • Keep tossing while sprinkling the cheese powder and everything seasoning over the popcorn. Stir the popcorn well to make sure its coated in the seasonings. Taste and add salt and/or more seasonings, if needed. Enjoy!

Notes

Always use fresh popcorn kernels! Old popcorn won’t pop and you’ll end up with a bunch of kernels at the bottom of the bowl.
If you don’t have an air popper, you can use unflavored microwave popcorn or a bag of unseasoned pre-popped popcorn. You can also make popcorn on the stovetop!
I use King Arthur’s Better Cheddar cheese powder which you can buy online. But you can also find cheese powder in the popcorn aisle of the grocery store. Or, use a packet from a box of mac and cheese.
If the seasonings aren’t sticking to the popcorn, add more melted butter. Just don’t go overboard or the popcorn will end up soggy.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your tastes. If you want less cheese flavor, use less powder. If you like more everything flavor, add more everything seasoning.
Depending on the saltiness of the cheese powder you use, you may or may not need the salt. Make sure to taste the popcorn before you add any extra salt!
Cuisine: American
Course: Snacks
Author: Sara Lynn Hunt Broka
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 155kcal, Carbohydrates: 22.4g, Protein: 3.5g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3.8g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 49mg, Potassium: 12mg, Fiber: 4.8g, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @sundaytable.co on Instagram!

xo Sara Lynn

Song of the day – Still Lovely by Banes World

Originally posted on May 18, 2018.