How to Make Seasonings Stick to Oil-Free Popcorn

Wondering how to make seasonings stick to oil-free popcorn? Keep reading to see how to make light and fluffy popcorn in an air popper, plus how to make seasonings stick to your popcorn without using any oil!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.

Oil-free popcorn.

It’s healthy, but if you’ve ever made it before, then you know what a pain it can be to get dry toppings to stick to equally dry popcorn. Surely there’s a workaround, right?

In this post, I’m going to show you how to make light and fluffy popcorn in an air popper AND how to get your favorite dry toppings to stick to your popcorn without using any oil.

Let’s jump right in!

How to Make Fluffy Popcorn without Oil

It really isn’t difficult to make popcorn without oil, especially if you have the right tools.

One method is to make popcorn in a pot on your stove using water. I’ve found this method to be difficult and unreliable at best. The few times I’ve tried it, I’ve ended up with either a pot full of burned kernels or popcorn pieces that are hard and small.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer large, fluffy pieces of popcorn!

Which brings me to my favorite method for making oil-free popcorn: an air popper!

I prefer to make my oil-free popcorn in an air popper. It’s simple to use, and I achieve the exact same results time after time.  

I bought this hot air popcorn popper a few years ago and have used it once or twice a week ever since. It’s held up really well, and I’d definitely buy it again.

I’ve seen other, newer hot air poppers on the market, but I haven’t had a chance to test any of them. This air popper has fantastic reviews on Amazon, though, so it seems to be a great option, too.

How to Make Popcorn in an Air Popper

If you have a classic air popper with a chute, then the popping instructions are probably very similar across the different brands. All you do is pour the kernels into the popper using the included measuring scoop, and then turn it on! Place a bowl in front of the chute to catch the popcorn as it pops. When you don’t hear any more popping, turn the machine off.

If you have a different type of air popper that doesn’t have a chute, then you should definitely read the operating instructions that came with your popper.

How to Make Seasonings Stick to Popcorn without Oil

Nutritional yeast won’t stick to your popcorn? No problem! You just need to mist your popped popcorn with a little bit of liquid so your seasonings can stick. You can fill a small spray bottle with water or one of the flavor ideas below to make misting easier.

I like to mist my popcorn as it lands in the bowl so each layer of popcorn gets a little spritz. Then, when I toss the popcorn with seasonings, the toppings can stick to most of the pieces.

Here are some liquids you can use to spritz your popcorn:

• Water
• Soy sauce
• Bragg’s Liquid aminos
• Coconut aminos
• Pickle juice
• Pepperoncini brine
• Banana pepper brine
• Vinegar (any kind!)
• Lime juice
• Hot sauce (dilute with water to make it easy to spray)

I know. Some of these seem a little weird. But you just might find a new flavor that you absolutely love!

I never would have thought to spritz my popcorn with pickle juice, but once I tried it, I was hooked. It’s so deliciously tangy, and it pairs well with nutritional yeast and a little sea salt. *chef’s kiss*

Give one of these a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. I hope you find a new flavor you love!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Eat Popcorn on a Plant-Based Diet?

Homemade popcorn is a great snack that’s compliant with a whole food, plant-based diet when you make it yourself using popcorn kernels. If you’re oil-free, then you do need to leave out the oil when you cook it. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to make oil-free popcorn that’s light, fluffy, and just as tasty as anything you could buy in a microwavable bag. All you need is an air popper!

Do I Really Need an Air Popper?

If you’re worried that a hot air popcorn popper will be just another gadget collecting dust in the back of your cabinet, then you may want to consider these questions before you buy one:

How often do you usually eat popcorn?

If you like having popcorn with your weekly family movie night, then an air popper will likely be a well-used gadget in your home. But if you only eat popcorn once in a blue moon, then you may not need one. I personally eat a LOT of popcorn, so having an air popper is a staple in my kitchen!

Are you completely oil-free?

If you’re committed to cutting out oil wherever you can, then an air popper is the easiest way to get consistently fluffy, oil-free popcorn.

Are you looking for a lighter way to enjoy popcorn?

Even if you aren’t 100% oil-free, you might still be looking for ways to enjoy popcorn without the excess calories. Since oil is calorically-dense, you can reduce the total number of calories in your snack by simply omitting it and using an air popper instead.

Final Thoughts on Oil-Free Popcorn

Oil-free popcorn is a quick and easy snack that you can make in an air popper for consistently fluffy results time after time. And if you’re having trouble getting toppings to stick to your popcorn, simply mist the popped kernels with a little bit of liquid before adding your dry seasonings.

Just think: You can create unlimited flavor varieties by pairing a flavored liquid with your favorite dry seasonings! The possibilities are truly limitless.

And the best part is that you don’t even need any oil.

Other Plant-Based Cooking Tips You May Enjoy

• How to Freeze Fruit: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
• How to Make Almond Milk the Easy Way (Vitamix Recipe!)
• 15 Must-Have Kitchen Items Every Plant-Based Kitchen Needs
• How to Make the Perfect Chia Gel for Chia Seed Drinks

What about you? What are your favorite popcorn toppings? Let me know in the comments below!

Want to remember this? Save it to your favorite Pinterest board by clicking the images below!

Oil-Free Popcorn: How to Make Seasonings Stick without Oil!