This easy stovetop parmesan popcorn is buttery, salty, and bursting with cheese flavor. This is the best popcorn seasoning flavor if you ask me. It is perfect for a quick snack, games night, girl’s night in, kids' party, and many more.

Why this buttered parmesan popcorn is so good
Parmesan cheese makes every dish better, just kidding now; but it is the truth! Who knew adding cheese to popcorn could take it from okay-ish to awesome. This homemade popcorn is everything and more and will definitely be a hit amongst friends and family.
You will now have an excuse to make great crunch and fluffy popcorn once you flavour it with this hard cheese seasoning. Homemade popcorn is affordable, it can be easily customized to taste and you have control over what goes into it.
This recipe is quick and easy and can be enjoyed almost immediately with all the popcorn kernel popped. Think of it as a movie theatre popcorn, fresh and straight from the source. You eat and enjoy while it is warm.
You can make it ahead and It stays crispy and crunchy for a few days.
What type of cheese is parmesan
Parmigiano Reggiano as known in Italy is a type of extra hard-aged cheese. It is a great addition to pasta dishes, pizza, and of course popcorns.
Ingredients
popcorn kernel
Parmesan cheese
Grapeseed oil
Salt to taste: you want to use fine salt so that it sticks to the popcorn
Freshly ground black pepper
Butter
How to make stovetop parmesan cheese popcorn
Heat the oil until hot on medium high heat in a shallow pot.
Add popcorn kernel to the hot oil and stir to combine or move around the pot quickly. Cover the pot with a lid and wait for the popcorn to start popping, this should be around 50 seconds to 1 minute.
When the popping slows down, carefully lift the pot from the heat and give a good shake. Return it to the heat and take it off once the popping stops. Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.
Place a small saucepan on medium heat, add butter and heat until melted, skim the foam off the melted butter from time to time. Once the butter starts changing color add grated parmesan, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Take it off the heat immediately, don’t worry if the parmesan cheese begins to brown as long as it is not burnt then it is fine.
Drizzle the butter parmesan sauce over the popcorn and mix to combine until well coated. Transfer to a large bowl and serve. Enjoy!
What is the best oil for popcorn
The best oil for popping popcorn is a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoking point. Ever since I made this instant pot popcorn, I only use coconut oil or grapeseed oil as I found both to have high smoking points. Moreover, they both add tons of flavor to the popcorn without much seasoning.
That said, you can use any flavorless oil of choice with a high smoking point. Clarified butter known as ghee is a great option too.
What are the best popcorn seasoning flavors?
You can season popcorn with any spices and also make it any flavour of choice. Sweet or savoury, choose whatever floats your boat. Apart from parmesan cheese and salt, here are few flavouring/seasoning ideas
Smoked paprika and cayenne pepper
Butter and cinnamon
Brown butter and honey
Tips on how to make perfect homemade popcorn
- When melting butter for popcorn it is important to skim off the foam on top of the fat. The foamy bit has water in it and can make the popcorn soggy especially if you plan to make it ahead.
- Keep the heat on medium-high. Too much heat would burn the oil which may affect the overall taste of the popcorn.
How to store
For best result, make sure it cools completely or the trapped steam would make it soggy. Store in an airtight container and keep for up to 5 days in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
More snack recipes
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Parmesan Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup popcorn kernel
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp grapeseed oil
- 70 g unsalted butter
- Salt to taste you want to use fine salt so that it sticks to the popcorn
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil until hot on medium-high heat in a shallow pot.
- Add popcorn kernel to the hot oil and stir to combine or move around the pot quickly. Cover the pot with a lid and wait for the popcorn to start popping, this should be around 50 seconds to 1 minute.
- When the popping slows down, carefully lift the pot from the heat and give a good shake. Return it to the heat and take it off once the popping stops. Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.
- Place a small saucepan on medium heat, add butter and heat until melted, skim the foam off the melted butter from time to time. Once the butter starts changing color add grated parmesan, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Take it off the heat immediately, don’t worry if the parmesan cheese begins to brown as long as it is not burnt then it is fine.
- Drizzle the butter parmesan sauce over the popcorn and mix to combine until well coated. Transfer to a large bowl and serve. Enjoy!
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