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This homemade cheddar protein popcorn is everything you love about a cheesy, crunchy popcorn snack, only it’s packed with protein and so easy to make!
When I saw that Khloé Kardashian launched her protein popcorn line, I had to craft my own recipe and recreate a version, and honestly, this one’s even better. It has a bold cheddar flavor from the cheese powder, plus a protein boost, and it comes together in just minutes.
If you’re looking for a quick, high-protein snack, this cheddar protein popcorn hits the spot! Plus, it’s perfect for movie night and is packed with about 30 grams of protein for the entire recipe.
Why You Will Love This Protein Popcorn
- Light and Airy: There’s no chalky texture here, just perfectly crisp popcorn.
- Cheesy Flavor: It’s packed with that rich, savory cheddar flavor in every bite.
- High-Protein Snack: It’s packed with protein from the unflavored collagen powder, which you don’t even taste.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to make!
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need a handful of simple pantry staples.
- Budget-Friendly: It’s more affordable than Khloud protein popcorn and most store-bought options.
Ingredients Needed
- Popcorn: Use air-popped popcorn as the base.
- Collagen Powder: Adds a boost of protein without changing the flavor. Make sure to use unflavored collagen powder or unflavored protein powder.
- Cheddar Cheese Powder: Adds that bold, cheesy flavor to every bite.
- Garlic Powder: Season with garlic powder for depth of flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors. We added a little salt to taste.
- Olive Oil Spray: To ensure the seasonings stick to the popcorn. We like to use this olive oil sprayer.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Collagen Substitution: If you don’t have collagen peptides powder, substitute it with unflavored protein powder.
- Olive Oil Spray Swap: You can swap the olive oil spray for avocado oil spray if preferred.
- Garlic Powder Substitution: You can substitute the garlic powder with onion powder for a different flavor.
- Cheddar Flavor Variation: To make white cheddar protein popcorn, simply use white cheddar cheese powder instead!
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle in some smoked paprika, cayenne, or chili lime seasoning.
How To Pop The Popcorn
We used air-popped popcorn made with the DASH Hot Air Popcorn Maker. We love it because it’s super quick and easy! If you don’t have an air popper, you can use a bag of microwave popcorn or the stovetop method. Another great option is this microwave popcorn maker! Any of these methods work perfectly for this recipe!
How To Make Cheddar Protein Popcorn
Step 1: Use your preferred method to pop the popcorn.
Step 2: Add the unflavored collagen powder or protein powder, cheddar cheese powder, garlic powder, and salt to a small bowl.
Then, thoroughly mix.
Step 3: Spray the popped popcorn with olive oil spray to help the seasonings stick. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the popcorn.
Toss gently to coat all the popcorn.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Mix the Seasonings First: To evenly distribute the cheesy flavor, thoroughly mix the unflavored collagen powder or unflavored protein powder, cheddar cheese powder, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl before sprinkling over the popcorn.
- Spray Well: Make sure to spray the popcorn well so the powdered seasoning mixture sticks.
- Butter Olive Oil: For butter flavor, I love to use butter-flavored olive oil and add it to my olive oil sprayer.
- Extra Cheesy Flavor: Want your popcorn even cheesier? Add another tablespoon of cheddar cheese powder.
- Cheddar Cheese Powder to Use: We love using Judee’s Cheese Powder. It gives that rich, cheesy flavor we use in everything from this popcorn to our cottage cheese mac and cheese recipe.
- Quick Swap: Don’t have cheese powder on hand? Use the cheese packet from a box of Annie’s Mac & Cheese or your favorite boxed mac and cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This cheddar protein popcorn makes for a perfect high-protein snack! It’s also a great healthier alternative to traditional movie night popcorn, while being just as delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Protein Popcorn Vegan?
This protein popcorn recipe can be made vegan with a few simple swaps! Simply use your favorite unflavored vegan protein powder and replace the cheddar cheese powder with nutritional yeast.
Can You Taste The Collagen Powder?
You don’t really notice the collagen powder. We mixed it with the cheddar powder, so it blends right in with the seasoning. There’s no strong or noticeable taste.
What If I Don’t Have Cheddar Cheese Powder?
You can use the cheese packet from your favorite boxed mac and cheese or swap in nutritional yeast.
More High-Protein Snacks To Try!
- High-Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels
- High-Protein Whipped Feta Dip
- Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie
- High-Protein Strawberry Mousse
- High-Protein Orange Julius Smoothie
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
CHEDDAR PROTEIN POPCORN
Ingredients
- 6 cups air-popped popcorn, about 1/4 cup unpopped corn kernels
- 1 scoop unflavored collagen powder or unflavored protein powder
- 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Use your preferred method to pop the popcorn. We air-popped ours, but microwave or stovetop methods work great too.
- Add the unflavored collagen powder or unflavored protein powder, cheddar cheese powder, garlic powder, and salt to a small bowl. Then, thoroughly mix.
- Spray the popped popcorn with olive oil spray to help the seasonings stick. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the popcorn. Toss gently to coat all the popcorn. Then, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- How to Pop the Popcorn: We used air-popped popcorn with the DASH Hot Air Popcorn Maker because it’s quick and easy. Or, you can use a bag of microwave popcorn or the stovetop method.
- Butter Olive Oil: For butter flavor, I love to use butter-flavored olive oil and add it to my olive oil sprayer.
- Olive Oil Spray Swap: You can swap the olive oil spray for avocado oil spray if preferred.
- Collagen Substitution: If you don’t have collagen powder, substitute it with unflavored protein powder.
- Cheddar Cheese Powder: We love Judee’s Cheese Powder. If you don’t have cheddar powder, use the cheese packet from your favorite boxed mac and cheese.
- Cheddar Flavor Variation: To make white cheddar protein popcorn, simply use white cheddar cheese powder instead!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This high protein cheddar popcorn recipe packs 30 grams of protein! It’s a quick and easy snack that’s perfect for movie nights, post-workout fuel, or anytime! Don’t miss this one.