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Make my keto popcorn recipe the next time you have a savory craving. It’s made with ONE ingredient, and you can customize it to no end! 1 gram of net carbs per serving.
Need more keto snacks? Try my keto cheese crisps, keto pasta chips, or chicharrones next.
Popcorn is the epitome of snacks, and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
But alas, while delicious, popcorn isn’t exactly fit for a keto diet. Any more than one cup of air-popped popcorn, and you’re going to get kicked out of ketosis. That’s why I had to create a keto version that doesn’t skimp on flavor OR that classic crunch factor.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Only one key ingredient. And it’s cheese. Need I say more?
- The best texture. Drying out the cheese first helps them crisp and puff up like legit cheese puffs. According to my family, this is one of my coolest recipes.
- Easy to customize. I’ll start with my base recipe, then give you a ton of flavor combinations to try.
- A healthy snack. Granted, it’s not a low calorie snack, but it is low-carb, at a whopping 1 gram of net carbohydrates per serving.
Ingredients needed
- Cheese. Any cheese from a block can be used, so pick whichever you prefer. I went with cheddar cheese because it’s mild in flavor, but gouda, Colby Jack, or sharp cheddar could all be used.
- Flavorings. Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or add any combination of herbs and spices.
How to make keto popcorn
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prepare the cheese. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the cheese into cubes, place them on the sheet, and cover with a kitchen towel. Dry the cheese for 24 hours.
Step 2- Bake. Preheat the oven. Transfer the cheese cubes onto a new lined baking sheet and bake until all pieces are puffy.
Step 3- Cool, season, and serve. Let the popcorn cool completely, then use a paper towel to soak up excess oil. Toss in your desired seasonings.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Plan ahead. The longer the cheese dries out, the better the consistency. If possible, I like to leave it out for 72 hours.
- Keep an eye on the oven. Even a few minutes of overcooking can cause the puffs to deflate. Pull the cheese from the oven as soon as it has puffed up.
- Let the popcorn cool completely before adding any seasonings.
Variations
- Kettle corn. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons keto powdered sugar or 1/4 cup granulated sweetener.
- Salted caramel. Drizzle keto caramel sauce over the cooled popcorn, and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
- Cheddar cheese. Add 2 tablespoons of cheddar cheese powder.
- Butter. Melt and cool 2 tablespoons butter, drizzle through the popcorn, then sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Ranch. Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning.
- Parmesan garlic. Toss in 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Storage instructions
To store: Keep leftover popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
To freeze: Store the popcorn in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Make sure the bag is completely sealed so no moisture seeps in.
Frequently asked questions
Technically, yes, though moderation is important. An entire bag of Skinny Pop contains 7 grams of net carbs.
More low carb snacks for movie night
Keto Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 cup cheddar cheese from a block * See notes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ** See notes
Instructions
- Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Slice your cheddar cheese into 1/4 inch cubes. Place them on the lined sheet and cover with a dishtowel. Let the cheese dry out for at least 24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Line a new tray with parchment paper. Transfer the dried cheese onto it and bake for 5-7 minutes, until popped and puffed up.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Use a paper towel to soak up any excess oil.
This was surprisingly delicious- so crispy and easy!!
love this for a low carb snack!
Popcorn
I tried to make popcorn
Went by the recipe and came out a glob
What did I do wrong?
BEST air fryer popcorn recipe EVER!