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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Vegan Snack Ideas

    Homemade ranch seasoning and ranch popcorn

    Last Modified: Feb 3, 2023 by Becky Striepe

    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Recipe Video Print
    bowl of ranch popcorn with a spoon of ranch popcorn seasoning next to it, text overlay
    bowl of ranch popcorn with a spoon of ranch popcorn seasoning next to it
    bowl of ranch flavored popcorn on a marble table
    image collage showing a close-up of the homemade ranch seasoning, air popping the popcorn, drizzling vegan butter and sprinkling on the seasoning

    Mix up some homemade ranch popcorn seasoning, and use it in this easy ranch popcorn recipe. Snack time just leveled UP!

    bowl of ranch popcorn with a spoon of ranch popcorn seasoning next to it

    Y'all, I love ranch. Before I went vegan, one of my favorite treats was a plate of tater tots at The Highlander topped with pickled jalapeños and plenty of ranch for dipping.

    Now, I satisfy that greasy tot craving with a side of cashew ranch dressing, but who says that the ranch party has to stop there?

    Jump To:
    • About the ingredients
    • How to make ranch popcorn
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storage directions
    • Ranch Popcorn Seasoning Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    image collage of popcorn and seasonings in bowls on a wooden table

    About the ingredients

    • Dried dill/parsley brings the herbal flavor that you love about ranch. You can do all dill, all parsley, or half and half.
    • Onion powder and garlic powder bring the umami flavor to the table.
    • Lemon pepper brightens up the flavor and adds the mildest of kick.
    • Nutritional yeast adds that creaminess you'd want in a cool ranch.
    • Salt enhances all of those ranch flavors. You may need more or less depending on the vegan butter and spices you use, so you'll salt to taste at the end.
    • Popcorn kernels are, of course, essential.
    • Melted vegan butter adds creaminess and helps the ranch seasoning stick to the popcorn.
    jar of ranch popcorn seasoning all mixed together

    How to make ranch popcorn

    To make ranch popcorn, you start by making the seasoning mix. To do that, combine the dried dill, parsley, onion, garlic, lemon pepper, and nutritional yeast in a small bowl. Mix together well, and set the ranch seasoning aside while you pop your popcorn and melt some vegan butter.

    You can pop your popcorn using any method you like. I use an air popper, but you can also pop it on the stovetop or in the microwave. You do you!

    Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl with high sides, and drizzle on half of the melted vegan butter. Then, add half of the homemade ranch seasoning.

    Toss the popcorn to coat it really well in the butter/ranch mixture.

    Now, drizzle on the remaining vegan butter and ranch, tossing again to coat it really well.

    image collage showing a close-up of the homemade ranch seasoning, air popping the popcorn, drizzling vegan butter and sprinkling on the seasoning

    Adding the butter and homemade ranch seasoning in stages like this helps you get it more evenly distributed and end up with less of that delicious seasoning wasted at the bottom of the bowl.

    If a lot of the seasoning has fallen to the bottom, use a wooden spoon and to gently fold and toss it back up into the popcorn.

    Season to taste with salt, and serve your ranch popcorn immediately.

    bowl of ranch flavored popcorn on a marble table

    Serving suggestions

    This homemade ranch seasoning is great on popcorn, but it also has tons of other applications!

    • Rub it onto tofu before baking.
    • Mix it into your hummus
    • Stir it into your next batch of cauliflower mashed potatoes.
    • Whisk it into vegan mayo for instant ranch dressing.

    This ranch seasoning is versatile stuff, is what I'm saying here! 

    Ranch popcorn is the bomb. Seriously, I never thought I'd find anything to rival good, ol' nutritional yeast popcorn, but this gives it a run for its money.

    Mix up the homemade ranch on its own, or use the full recipe below to make the ranch seasoned popcorn of your dreams!

    Storage directions

    Feel free to multiply this recipe and keep it around to season on the fly! Store it in a glass container. It will stay nice and fresh for up to six months.

    Like any spices, ranch seasoning loses flavor the longer it stays on the shelf.

    You can keep the ranch popcorn for up to a day in an airtight container, but know that it is best served immediately after you pop and season it.

    bowl of ranch popcorn with a spoon of ranch popcorn seasoning next to it

    Ranch Popcorn Seasoning Recipe

    Mix up some homemade ranch popcorn seasoning, and use it in this easy ranch popcorn recipe. Snack time just leveled UP!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: homemade ranch seasoning, ranch popcorn, ranch popcorn seasoning
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 217kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    For the homemade ranch seasoning

    • 4 teaspoons dried dill and/or dried parsley - Use all dill, all parsley, or 2 teaspoons of each, depending on how dilly you like your ranch.
    • 2 teaspoons onion powder
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
    • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

    For the popcorn

    • ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
    • ¼ cup vegan butter - melted

    Instructions

    Make the ranch seasoning

    • In a small bowl, combine the dill, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and nutritional yeast.

    Make the popcorn

    • Pop the popcorn using your preferred method. I used my air popper.
    • Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. Drizzle half of the melted butter onto the popcorn, then shake on half of the ranch popcorn seasoning. Shake the bowl to toss the popcorn in the butter/ranch mix.
    • Repeat the drizzle, shake, and mix with the rest of the butter and seasoning. Season to taste with salt, and serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    The ranch seasoning will keep for up to 6 months in an airtight container. Just keep in mind that, like all dried spices, it will be more flavorful the sooner you use it.
    You can also use this ranch seasoning in other ways! Try it mixed with vegan mayo for instant vegan ranch dressing. It's also a great dry rub for baked tofu or seasoning for ranch flavored hummus. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Ranch Popcorn Seasoning Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    217
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    15
    g
    23
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    15
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    3
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    Sodium
     
    119
    mg
    5
    %
    Potassium
     
    149
    mg
    4
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    18
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    12
    %
    Sugar
     
    0.3
    g
    0
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    4
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.3
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    11
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you use ranch dressing instead of dry mix?

    For popcorn, this will definitely not work. Ranch dressing will turn the popcorn soggy.

    How do you get flavor to stick to air popped popcorn?

    To get the ranch seasoning to stick to your popcorn, you want to add it slowly and use a little bit of melted vegan butter to help it stick.

    I like to add half of the butter and seasoning to the popcorn in a large bowl with high sides. Toss and shake to distribute the seasoning, then repeat with the remaining. Adding in two parts gets you more even coverage and leaves less seasoning at the bottom of the bowl.

    What is ranch? Is it just mayonnaise?

    Oh goodness, no! Ranch dressing can use mayo as its base, but the taste of ranch seasoning is all about three key flavors: dill, garlic, and onion.

    You can add other seasonings, like parsley and paprika, but if you're looking for ranch's true essence, it's about those three simple spices. This recipe adds lemon pepper to bring in that bright flavor and a mild kick.

    Is this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes! It's naturally gluten-free.

    More Vegan Snack Ideas

    • How to make perfect air fryer tater tots from frozen
    • Vegan Ranch Roasted Chickpeas
    • 20-Minute Air Fryer Apple Fritters
    • Air fryer roasted almonds (oven directions included!)

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. M07LOVE

      August 11, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      Added 1/2 tsp salt. It was awesome!!

      Reply
    2. acookinthemaking

      February 18, 2014 at 10:42 am

      Yum--this looks like it would make an awesome snack! I love anything that takes less than 5 minutes to put together :)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        February 18, 2014 at 10:46 am

        Haha I am with you on that! Quick is key for me these days.

        Reply

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    About Me

    Glue and Glitter
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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