Rosemary Olive Oil Popcorn

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (plain, not microwave bags)
• 3 tbsp avocado oil (for popping)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (extra-virgin, for finishing)
• 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional, for a cheesy flavor)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (fine, so it clings)

Instructions

1. Warm the olive oil and rosemary in a small saucepan over low heat for 2 minutes, until fragrant but not sizzling, then set aside.
2. Put the avocado oil and 3 popcorn kernels in a heavy 4 to 5 quart pot with a lid, cover, and heat over medium heat until all 3 kernels pop.
3. Take the pot off the heat, add the remaining kernels in an even layer, cover, and count 30 seconds before returning it to the heat; this brings every kernel to the same temperature so they pop together.
4. Once popping starts, shake the pot gently every few seconds with the lid slightly ajar to let steam escape, until the pops are 2 to 3 seconds apart, about 3 minutes.
5. Tip the popcorn into a large bowl right away so the bottom does not scorch.
6. Drizzle with the rosemary oil, sprinkle on the nutritional yeast and salt, and toss until evenly coated.

Tips

• Why not pop in olive oil? Extra-virgin olive oil starts to smoke at about 375°F (190°C), close to the temperature kernels pop at. Pop in avocado oil (ghee also works, but it is not dairy-free), then add olive oil afterwards for its flavor and polyphenols.
• Fine salt clings and coarse salt bounces off. Toss while the popcorn is still warm so the oil holds the seasoning on.
• Try smoked paprika with lime zest, or cinnamon with a drizzle of maple syrup, or za'atar instead of the rosemary.
• Whole popcorn is a choking hazard for children under 4, and the hard unpopped kernels at the bottom of the pot should be thrown away rather than eaten.

More snack recipes

No-Bake Energy Bites

Chewy oat-and-date bites you roll in five minutes — the perfect grab-and-go snack for the week.

Snack · Easy · 15 min · 16 servings

Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

A crunchy, savory snack that satisfies the chip craving with fiber and protein instead.

Snack · Easy · 40 min · 4 servings

Classic Guacamole with Veggie Sticks

A five-minute guacamole scooped up with crunchy raw vegetables instead of chips.

Snack · Easy · 10 min · 4 servings

Apple & Almond Butter Bites

Apple rounds topped with almond butter, seeds, and a few dark chocolate chips — a two-minute snack.

Snack · Easy · 5 min · 2 servings