Salty hearty and addictive in a pinch — you just can’t beat a big deep bowl of cheesy popcorn as the perfect comfort food for movie night in. While the neon orange artificial-cheese-coated snack from decades ago holds a special place in our hearts it’s easy to make a completely plant-based version of this irresistibly crumbly treat at home whenever the craving strikes — no actual cheese required.
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 Jeanelleats | 2021-08-02 01:00:05 |  3,654,243 Views |
Is this what makes movie theater popcorn so delicious?!
Beloved and widely used in the plant-based cooking world nutritional yeast adds a magical cheesy flavor to pasta sauces and pizzas. If you know it you know it but for those new to the spice world nutritional yeast has built a reputation as a star in vegan cooking for its almost uncanny ability to add a nutty savory distinctly cheesy flavor to just about anything. It’s one of those substitutes that every vegan should know about but it also deserves a spot in omnivorous pantries as an easy seasoning to sprinkle over any dish you might normally add parmesan to. It also makes the perfect popcorn topping whether you’re dairy-free or just want to enjoy a homemade nutritious version of the classic snack. Once relegated to the aisles of health food stores you can now find the yellow flaky powder in the baking aisle or bulk aisle of most major retailers. This DIY version is just as satisfying and delicious as the store-bought cheese snack but it might even save you some money. Pre-packaged popcorn from a bag can cost a pretty penny compared to the amount of popcorn you make yourself.
The unmistakable cheesiness of nutritional yeast—often referred to as nooch—is not due to added flavorings or salt; it’s all natural. The flavor best described as nutty earthy and similar to a sharp umami-rich Parmesan intensifies as the active yeast is deactivated and dried into the final product during the manufacturing process.
To make quick nooch-y cheesy popcorn pop your kernels the old-fashioned way or simply microwave a bag choosing one that isn’t heavily flavored yet. Once you have a full bowl of hot popcorn immediately drizzle olive oil or melted butter over it—enough to coat most of the pieces but not soak them. This will help the nutritional yeast stick better instead of sinking to the bottom. If you’re avoiding oil and butter you can achieve a similar effect by dousing your popcorn with splashes of liquid amino acids or plain soy sauce but be aware that this will add a lot of saltiness. Then pour nutritional yeast over it to your heart’s content and toss the popcorn to coat the entire bowl. Add extra flavor with garlic powder or one of these 28 Best Popcorn Seasoning Ideas or enjoy as is.
