Gluten-Free Buttered Popcorn

Enjoy the irresistible aroma and satisfying crunch of this classic movie theater treat, made entirely gluten-free. Perfectly seasoned with rich, buttery notes and a hint of salt, this popcorn is a simple yet delightful snack for any occasion.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Total: 10 min Serves: 4

At a glance: This easy snacks recipe yields 4 servings in about 10 minutes (5 min prep, 5 min cook). It uses 5 ingredients — including popcorn kernels, coconut oil or a neutral oil, vegan butter — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 25, 2026. Browse more snacks recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

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Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Buttered Popcorn: When preparing this snacks recipe, popcorn kernels are naturally free of gluten, but nutritional yeast and vegan butter vary by brand, so use versions labeled gluten-free. Pop in a pot not used for flavored popcorn or seasoning mixes.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Buttered Popcorn: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on pure popcorn kernels and gluten-free fats and seasonings. It avoids all gluten-containing grains.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Ingredients

Shop links on this page are for coconut oil or a neutral oil, nutritional yeast. Buy the package that says gluten-free. A shared production line is the usual risk with these pantry items. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Confirm the product is labeled gluten-free before you buy.

0.5 cup popcorn kernels
2 tbsp coconut oil or a neutral oil (for popping) Shop
2 tbsp vegan butter, melted
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp nutritional yeast (optional, for cheesy flavor) Shop

Instructions

1 Combine the popcorn kernels and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or vegan butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Stir to ensure all kernels are lightly coated with the oil or butter.
2 Place the pot over medium-high heat and cover with a lid set slightly ajar so steam can escape (live tip 2). Listen for the kernels to start popping; once they begin popping consistently, reduce the heat to medium-low to prevent burning. Shake the pot gently every 30 seconds to distribute the kernels and prevent sticking.
3 Popping takes about 2-4 minutes once it starts. Take the pot off the heat as soon as the pops slow to 2-3 seconds apart. Remove the pot from the heat immediately to prevent scorching the popcorn.
4 While the popcorn is still hot, carefully pour the melted vegan butter over it. Sprinkle evenly with salt and nutritional yeast, if using. Toss gently to distribute the seasonings throughout the popcorn, ensuring every piece is coated.
5 Serve the buttery popcorn immediately while it's warm and fragrant. For best results, enjoy this snack fresh, as it can lose its crispness when stored.

Nutrition (per serving)

186

Calories

Protein

25g

Carbs

15g

Fat

Fiber

159mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Start with 3 kernels in the oil. When they pop, the oil is hot enough; add the rest of the kernels.
Shake the pot often and leave the lid slightly ajar so steam escapes and the popcorn stays crisp.
Popping usually takes only a few minutes. Take the pot off the heat as soon as pops slow to a few seconds apart, as step 3 says.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Buttered Popcorn?

Check popcorn kernels, coconut oil or a neutral oil, vegan butter, melted before they go into Gluten-Free Buttered Popcorn. Popcorn kernels are naturally free of gluten, but nutritional yeast and vegan butter vary by brand, so use versions labeled gluten-free. Pop in a pot not used for flavored popcorn or seasoning mixes.

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