Dorito Popcorn – Gluten free & Vegan
This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission. Learn more in our disclosure.
Do you like DORITOS but want a healthier option? Try this Dorito Popcorn Recipe to get the flavor of Doritos but without the chemical topping. Delicious and dairy-free too!
If you've been around my blog, or my family, for awhile, you know that we love popcorn – I've got a bunch of homemade popcorn recipes on my site from Healthy Peanut Butter Popcorn to one of our faves Surprisingly Good Seasoned Popcorn. And of course, there is Basic Healthy Stovetop Popcorn for the popcorn purist. But one thing you likely don't know is that I love Doritos.
But I don't eat them anymore.
In fact, no one in our home eats them.
We did have an unfortunate episode with a Ranch Dorito® long ago that led to a near anaphylactic reaction in my oldest, but that's not why we don't have them around.
Since I've become a natural-whole foodie, GMO corn and the chemical concoction on top of the crispy chips are not welcome in our home anymore.
The ingredients in Doritos are just nothing that I want in neither my nor my family's bodies.
When you think about it, would you really choose to have your chips topped with monosodium glutamate, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate?
Me neither.
I actually have a few funny things to tell you about Doritos first.
Why Our Oldest Didn't Know What Doritos Were
When I found some Dorito seasoning recipes on the internet and told my boys that I would be making Dorito Popcorn, my youngest asked what Doritos are.
I know that sounds pretty ridiculous to some folks, but since we've never had them in our house, and we don't watch much TV, my son didn't know what they are.
Hint: If you are trying to whole-foodify your family's diet, avoiding TV is a huge help. And avoid the center aisles of the grocery store too. That's where almost all of the processed stuff lurks. Just waiting to tempt you to spend too much and put chemicals and additives into your body.
The Only Dorito My Oldest Son Has Ever Had
When my son was about 5 months old, he was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies to 3 foods (later other foods were added to his “off limit” list). You can read Eczema and Food Allergies–from Despair to Healing to learn more about all we went through.
Dairy, egg whites, and peanuts have not been in his diet. Ever.
Well, mostly.
When he was about 1 1/2 years old, we were at a church party.
Suddenly, I noticed my son had hives all down one side of his face and was holding a half-eaten chip.
I grabbed the chip and quickly figured out what had happened.
My suspicions were verified when I found the offending chip's bag.
Ranch Doritos. They contain MILK powder.
Another small child had placed his unfinished plate of Doritos down little kid level and my son had gotten a bite.
We quickly gave him Benadryl and called his allergist who assured us he was in no danger as long as the symptoms didn't progress to vomiting or breathing. Which they didn't.
So:
- between the one son who didn't know what Doritos are
- the other who has only had a small bite ever cross his lips and
- Mom who just loves Doritos but can't stomach the ingredient list,
we were all super excited to work on making a seasoning that we could put on popcorn and have that delicious Dorito flavor without all the allergy problems and chemical and GMO ickiness.
And now you can enjoy it too.
Where to buy Quality Spices?
I personally LOVE Frontier spices for their freshness and quality. I buy almost all of my spices from them in bulk because we do so much cooking from scratch.
If you prefer small amounts, Simply Organic is Frontier's section of products in smaller quantities.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions for Dorito Popcorn
- Nutritional Yeast: Oh–and as a side note, nutritional yeast is a non-candida-feeding yeast that has a nutty-cheesy flavor. Vegans tend to use it a lot for a cheesy taste without dairy.
And if you're trying to avoid synthetic folic acid (almost all nutritional yeast has it), here is a brand to try. - THM: This recipe is a “crossover” if you are on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, unless you use air-popped popcorn, which will make it an “E.”
Other Popcorn Recipes
If you love popcorn as much as we do, you'll love trying out these other recipes.
- Homemade Popcorn Seasoning – everyone asks for this recipe
- Herb Popcorn – a surprisingly delicious recipe
- Sugar-free Kettle Corn – amazingly good!
- Peanut Butter Popcorn – which can also be made into Almond Butter Popcorn as well.
The BEST Stovetop Popcorn Popper
We've had this popper for many years and we love it.
Most crank-style poppers are made of aluminum, but this one is made from stainless steel — much better for your non-toxic lifestyle.
“Dorito” Popcorn – dairy free, gluten free, vegan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels (organic preferred)
- 2 – 3 tablespoons coconut oil (for popping)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or granules (if you would like to make your own garlic granules, see Easy Homemade Granulated Garlic)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or granules
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (if you would prefer homemade chili powder, see The “Best” Basic Chili Powder)
- 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare popcorn using oil with your preferred method. This Healthy Stovetop Popcorn post has more information about popping and about my favorite stovetop popcorn popper. Air popped popcorn won't work without additional oil since the seasoning needs moisture from the oil to adhere to the popcorn.
- Combine all spices, and salt in a small bowl.
- Blend seasonings in a spice or coffee grinder, or blend in blender to make a fine powder.
- Sprinkle seasoning over popcorn and toss to coat.
Notes
- Nutritional Yeast: Oh–and as a side note, nutritional yeast is a non-candida-feeding yeast that has a nutty-cheesy flavor. Vegans tend to use it a lot for a cheesy taste without dairy.
- And if you're trying to avoid synthetic folic acid (almost all nutritional yeast has it), here is a brand to try.
- THM: This recipe is a “crossover” if you are on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, unless you use air-popped popcorn, which will make it an “E.”
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
I hope you love this Dorito Popcorn as much as we do!
What is your favorite way to eat popcorn?
Do you still eat Doritos :)?
I just made this! it is very good. I didnt have chili powder , so I used chili seasoning mix. Success!!
So glad you liked it! I have been thinking about tweaking it with some new ingredients (especially since some other sites stole my recipe!!) so stay tuned! I’m buried here but I would like to do it! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it as is!
How is it dorito void of cheese and tomato flavoring? just curious?
Hi Charles. Sorry for the delay. My son was deathly allergic to dairy when I developed this recipe (it’s been copied by others on the internet) and the nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor. People who avoid dairy use it a lot. There is a nutritional yeast dressing and vegan “cheese” crackers on my site that use it as well and aa shepherd’s pie recipe too. I think I’d like to try adding tomato. I’ve just been really buried with all kinds of things including working on our health and getting some certifications and I’m basically a one person company right now w/ the way finances have gone but hoping to change that. Thanks for reading and hope that helps.
I eat air popcorn. I don’t eat Doritos but I have but never was a fan because they always too spicy, too much for my Pilate.
I hope you’ll like this! I personally think adding some oil to the popcorn is best to counteract all the glycemic load. And our bodies need fat and it’s yummy. Here’s a post that might be of interest – https://wholenewmom.com/high-fat-diet-healthy-fats/
Am I supposed to use the full amount of the seasonings for one batch of popcorn (1/2 cup unpopped) or just sprinkle a little bit?
Hi there! You can probably use the whole thing. How much of it that sticks will depend on your popcorn and the amount of oil used. Of course you can put less on if you don’t want as much flavor. Hope you like it!
As a long-ago Dorito lover, let me say THANK YOU. This is fabulous! And the corn flavor and crunchiness of the popcorn makes a remarkably good base for the facsimile.
I added a little bit more salt, after tasting, but otherwise made exactly as written. (As I have low blood pressure, the extra salt is all to the good, for me.)
Hi Julie, awww thanks! I’m so glad you enjoyed this so much! I haven’t made it in WAY too long. By the way, interesting about the low blood pressure. I had that myself for a long time, but it’s gone now. You might be interested in a short version of my story. https://wholenewmom.com/about-me/. I’m still working on things but at least that isn’t a problem any longer. Hurray! Hope to see you around again.
What can I substitute for the cumin and paprika? Allergies….
Thank you
Lori
Depends on your allergies. can you find a curry w/o cumin? that would work. Paprika – any other pepper but you’ll have to choose one that isn’t too hot – would that work?
I just made this! This seasoning blend is the bomb!!! WOW! I wasn’t expecting it to be that delicious. I think I will use this seasoning on other things too! It would be great on French fries, baked potato, homemade tortilla chips or crackers, roasted nuts, etc! For those wondering which flavor of “Doritos” this most resembles, it is probably most likely the original “taco” flavor Doritos.
Hi Laura! So glad you enjoyed it so much! I was thinking about tweaking it, but I guess not–LOL! I agree with the topping ideas—love the cracker idea! These Lentil Crackers would be a great option for that!
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your great tips!
6 stars because it is so original.
Hahaha – I’ll take it :). Thanks for the encouragement!
I’ll have to skip this one due to the nutritional yeast (migraines here) but other than that it does look much healthier than Doritos, which I haven’t had in years. Will be having your Pakistani Kima soon!
Aww so sorry about the migraine issue! I do hope you like the Kima – making it today for Thanksgiving actually :). Hope to have some more popcorn recipes up soon.
I use this recipe all the time when I make popcorn! But I just use 1/4 tsp of salt and it’s more than enough for me. I do everything else exactly like the fecipe, 1/4 tsp of cayenne too and the spiciness is perfect. Thank you for the recipe, really helps me keep my cravings in check 🙂
So glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to comment!