If you love chili cheese fries, then you’ll love Chili Cheese Popcorn, a healthier afternoon popcorn snack that still satisfies your craving for spice and cheese.


Chili Cheese Popcorn that tastes like chili cheese fries but healthier

Ahh yes the first full week of the New Year is almost over, and all the healthy recipes around the net are pouring in.

Can I make a confession? I have no intention of dieting.

Eating healthier and exercising, yes, but not dieting. I don’t count calories or Weight Watcher points. I’m not paleo, gluten free, sugar free, low carb, insert label here (kudos to those who are for health reasons).

However, I do care about eating healthy. I do (try to) make conscious decisions about what I eat.

For starters, I bake buffalo wings instead of frying them. I add more vegetables to dinner, including swapping cabbage for noodles.

However, some habits are hard to break. I need to stop eating chocolate chip everything for breakfast (do I have to?).

I need to snack less. Oh boy, am I a snacker. BBQ chips, salt and vinegar popcorn, cheese puffs, pretzels, nachos, homemade pita chips.

I can’t buy snacks because I will eat them all in one sitting on the couch.

Want to know what my parents bought me as stocking stuffers? Pringles, hulless cheese popcorn, and my favorite honey BBQ cheese puffs. Can you guess if I still have them? (Answer – nope all gone).

Even though I refrain from buying snacks, the craving just doesn’t go away.

The best compromise is to snack in moderation. Since I’m not a nutritionist, I’m not going to pretend this Chili Cheese Popcorn is healthy.

It’s healthier than most snacks and is certainly healthier than eating authentic chili cheese fries, that’s for sure.

You can sneak it into the movies or pack it in your lunch when you’re stuck at your desk all day. You certainly can’t do that with a big batch of chili cheese fries (or can you?!).


Chili Cheese Popcorn that tastes like chili cheese fries but healthier

My inspiration for chili cheese popcorn came from Joy The Baker’s first cookbook.

As I requested her second book from the library, I read her first book (again) while I waited.

When I saw the photo for glorious chili cheese fries, I immediately wanted them. Except I didn’t have any potatoes in the house.

Somehow my brain connected chili cheese fries and popcorn together. I have no idea how that happened other than I was hungry and in snack mode with a bag of popcorn kernels.


Chili Cheese Popcorn that tastes like chili cheese fries but healthier

To make it cheesy without being perishable, I used cheddar cheese powder. The brand I used was Molly McButter, which I found in the baking aisle by the spices. You may find other brands in the popcorn aisle right next to the kernels.

If you don’t want to use cheddar cheese powder, right before serving, toss the popcorn with finely shredded cheese (much like my Irish Cheese and Bacon Popcorn).

You have to eat it right away as the fresh cheese makes it perishable (and refrigerated leftover popcorn just isn’t the same).


Chili Cheese Popcorn that tastes like chili cheese fries but healthier

Even though I made this recipe by popping my own popcorn kernels, you can also use microwave popcorn.

Just be aware of how much salt you’re using. Sometimes, microwave popcorn is already salted, so you don’t need to add more.

Items You May Need:

Chili Cheese Popcorn

Chili Cheese Popcorn

Yield: 3 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

If you love chili cheese fries, then you’ll love Chili Cheese Popcorn, a healthier afternoon popcorn snack that still satisfies your craving for spice and cheese.

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups fresh air-popped popcorn, unsalted*
  • 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter or olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons cheddar cheese powder**
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss together the popcorn and melted butter or olive oil.
  2. Immediately add cheese powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, cumin, and cayenne. Toss again to coat the popcorn. Serve immediately. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Notes

You can also substitute 1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese. Add right before serving and eat immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers (which are great for popcorn soup).

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes


 
Source: Inspired by Joy The Baker Cookbook

More Popcorn And Snack Recipes


Caramel Popcorn


Hot Chocolate Popcorn


S’mores Caramel Popcorn


Homemade Salt And Vinegar Chips

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