Cheesy Everything Bagel Popcorn

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!

I’ve noticed that restaurants are starting to add gourmet popcorn to their bar menus and I am 100% 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 like cheese powder and seasonings, it’s an elegant, casual, and crowd-pleasing app to snack on while you sip drinks. Simple but beyond delicious.

If you love a casual snack situation, you should also try my spicy ranch snack mix or little smokies in a blanket. They’re some of my most popular party apps!

The best party snack

Popcorn has been one of my go-to party snacks for well over 10 years. Even in high school, I would make it every time my friends came over to watch movies or hang out around the fire pit! But lately, I’ve been trying out all kinds of ‘gourmet’ popcorn combos that I can make for get-togethers or even holiday gifting. And this cheesy everything version is my favorite so far!

• This popcorn comes together in about 5 minutes.
• It’s no-cook and uses basic grocery store ingredients.
• With cheese powder and everything seasoning, it’s crunchy, salty, & full of umami flavor!
• Make this popcorn for a dinner party appetizer, game night with friends, or holiday gifts.

The best cheese powder for popcorn

For this recipe, you will need some kind of cheese powder. When I was in culinary school, we used cheese powder all the time for homemade crackers or French fries. But my favorite way to use it is for sure on popcorn!

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.

Other ingredients you’ll need

In addition to the cheese powder, you will also need:

• Popcorn kernels – freshly-popped popcorn is key in this recipe! You don’t want anything with extra salt or flavors since we’re adding our own seasonings.
• Butter – use a good-quality butter for the best buttery flavor. Salted or unsalted will both work.
• Everything seasoning – you can buy store-bought seasoning or make your own. To make your own, combine equal parts sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dehydrated garlic flakes, & dehydrated onion flakes.
• Salt – I like Morton’s Kosher salt best!

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!

Key tool – popcorn maker!

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. 😉

Make this recipe

1. Start by popping the popcorn kernels into a very large bowl.
2. Then, while tossing the popcorn, add the melted butter.

3. Add the cheese powder to the buttery popcorn.
4. Then, sprinkle the everything seasoning on top.
5. Toss everything together until the popcorn is well-coated. Add salt to taste and enjoy!

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.

No popcorn maker?

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.

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.

If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!

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xo Sara Lynn

Song of the day – Still Lovely by Banes World

Originally posted on May 18, 2018.