Taco Popcorn With Chili Powder And Lime

This taco popcorn:

Is zippy but not too spicy.Is healthy but leaves you room to add a little butter.Would pair beautifully with a Skinny Margarita.

All are qualities to which I aspire (as much as one can aspire to relate to a flavor of popcorn, anyway!) If you love foods with a Tex-Mex twist, I know you’ll love this lightly spicy taco popcorn too. The popcorn is flavored with a mix of classic taco spices such as chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. In lieu of a store-bought taco seasoning packet, I mixed the spices together myself so that I could control the amounts and avoid the excess sodium you’ll find in many premade packets. For a touch of brightness, I added fresh lime zest, which ended up being one of my favorite parts. Finally, to give the taco cheese popcorn its “cheesy” taste, I topped it with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, which sounds weird and scary but is actually delicious and high in B vitamins and other nutrients. Combine its benefits with the fact that popcorn is naturally low calorie and 100% whole grain, and you have one seriously satisfying, healthy munchie.

How to Make Taco Popcorn

If you’ve never popped your own fresh popcorn, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is. One tablespoon of oil and a few minutes on the stove are all you need for perfect, fluffy popcorn that you can flavor any which way.

The Ingredients

Popcorn Kernels. Once you’ve made these taco seasoned popcorn kernels at home, you’ll never want the store-bought kind again. Popcorn is rich in fiber, making it a filling and relatively healthy snack option.

Spices. A mix of chili powder, salt, cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne are what gives this popcorn its taco-like flavor. It’s a little spicy, a little smoky, and a lot delicious!Coconut Oil. For cooking the popcorn kernels. Butter. A drizzle of melted butter adds scrumptious flavor and helps the spices stick to the popcorn. Lime Zest. Adds zip and citrusy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the spices. Nutritional Yeast. The perfect way to add nutty, cheesy flavor without adding actual cheese.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Citrus Zester. An easy way to zest the lime for this chili popcorn.Measuring Spoons. These double-sided spoons are great for measuring the Mexican popcorn seasoning ingredients.Skillet. Ideal for making this Mexican popcorn recipe.