Snacks, popcorn, cheese-flavor
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
This is popcorn that has been popped and then coated or dusted with a savory, salty cheese-flavored powder. It delivers a satisfying crunch with a rich, umami-forward taste, combining the lightness of popcorn with the indulgent savoriness of cheese. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense snack, providing a notable amount of fat and carbohydrates per serving.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 38% carbs · 55% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love cheese popcorn for its addictive combination of salty, savory flavor and airy, crunchy texture. It's a classic comfort food and a staple at movie theaters and social gatherings, offering a fun, shareable experience.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
This snack is high in calories, fat, and sodium, which can be a concern for those managing weight, blood pressure, or heart health. The refined carbohydrates may cause blood sugar spikes. To enjoy it more healthily, practice strict portion control (e.g., measure out a single serving) and pair it with a source of protein or fiber, like a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit, to help slow digestion and increase satiety.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains dietary fiber which can aid in digestion.
- Offers a small amount of plant-based protein.
- Satisfies savory cravings effectively.
- Convenient and portable snack format.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The cheese powder used on many commercial cheese popcorns is often derived from real cheddar cheese that has been dehydrated and processed with other flavorings and colorings like annatto.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.5 g |
| Energy | 526 kcal |
| Energy | 2203 kj |
| Protein | 9.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 33.2 g |
| Ash | 3.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 51.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 9.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.79 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 113 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 91.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 361 mg |
| Potassium, K | 261 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 889 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.14 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.71 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 12.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.50 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Niacin | 1.5 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.46 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.23 mg |
| Folate, total | 11.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 11.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 11.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 15.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.53 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 62.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 40.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 140 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1002 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 3.8 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 8.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.8 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 9.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 15.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 14.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.88 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 11.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.42 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.40 g |
| Leucine | 1.0 g |
| Lysine | 0.44 g |
| Methionine | 0.19 g |
| Cystine | 0.16 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.41 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.35 g |
| Valine | 0.49 g |
| Arginine | 0.39 g |
| Histidine | 0.25 g |
| Alanine | 0.58 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.72 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.7 g |
| Glycine | 0.31 g |
| Proline | 0.74 g |
| Serine | 0.45 g |
FAQ
Is cheese popcorn gluten-free?
It depends on the brand. While popcorn itself is naturally gluten-free, the cheese seasoning mix may contain wheat-based ingredients or be processed in a facility that handles wheat. Always check the allergen label.
Why is the cheese powder orange?
The bright orange color is typically achieved using food-grade colorings like annatto (from the achiote seed) or paprika extract, not just from the cheese itself.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes. You can air-pop or lightly oil-pop plain kernels and then toss them with nutritional yeast for a cheesy, nutty flavor that's lower in fat and sodium. You can also make a simple cheese sauce from real cheese and milk.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.26 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 9.9 g fiber · 0.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.41 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.