Dorito Popcorn – Gluten free & Vegan
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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 :)?
Thank you for posting this information! I actually found you because I was looking up a healthy alternative to Doritos, since my 4 yr old had a similar reaction as your son. I’m glad I’m not the only Mom to realize and understand the harm these chemicals do to people. Especially our babies! I have been making things homemade and pitched out everything with chemical preservatives. His health has improved 100%. No rash, breathing problems, pale skin, dark under eye circles or hives. He is like a new kid. So sad that you have research before you shop. Who has time to coupon now?! ? Sad.
So glad to hear his health is doing better!
I’m not sure I understand your comment about the coupon – could you please clarify? Thanks!
Is the spice mix all used for one recipe?
You can – you might have some left over depending on how well it sticks. Enjoy!
Definitely going to try this recipe. Looks so good! Friday night is popcorn night at our house, and if I’ve got a lick of energy left after the grandkids leave today, I’m popping up a big batch of this. Thank you! I shared it with my Facebook peeps on Cooking with Whole Grains & Real Whole Foods, where it’s the Recipe of the Day today.
Thanks so much for commenting and sharing! I so hope you enjoy it!!!
What is the purpose of the yeast? I would need to substitute since I’m highly sensitive to yeast. I wanted to ask also, concerning your son who is allergic to egg whites, is it just chicken egg whites? I’m allergic(non life threatening) to chicken egg whites, so I eat duck eggs as much as possible. I sympathize with him on the hives, most prescription medicines do me the same way. I spent days in the hospital covered in hives. This all hit me in my 60s, I can’t imagine the worry of having a child allergic to things so common, and trying to keep him safe.
Hi there. It gives it a nutty / cheesy flavor. My son is allergic to duck egg white too I assume since the commonality is huge. Our allergist said not to try – I think quail would be an option. It’s hard, but we are managing. At least he can have butter. I’m sorry for your problems. It’s not easy.
Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry your son can’t have the duck eggs either. They are different from chicken egg whites, so they’re safe for me. It’s the same as eating a hen egg so I’m happy with it.. Have you considered guinea eggs? I have no idea as to the makeup of them. I’ll have to do some research on the yeast. I can’t have regular or brewer’s yeast, but I don’t know about this type. Does it have the same fermentation ability? That’s the problem with me.
I haven’t thought about that. Don’t know where I would get them either. This yeast does not ferment. I didn’t think that Brewer’s could either, however. Can it?
I made this last night and loved it. I”m not sure if it tastes like doritos or not, but it’s yummy!
So glad!!! Thanks!
I just made this. I have an air popper, so I swirled melted butter around a large bowl to coat the sides. Then I added popcorn and tossed it around. Then I added the seasoning and tossed again. TBH, it tasted nothing like Doritos. BUT, it was delicious. It was so nice to have a crunchy, flavourful, healthy treat. I’m thinking my problem may be that the nutritional yeast is old and lost its cheesy flavour. We found it tasted like taco popcorn. We didn’t care though. It still hit the flavourful, crunchy, salty spot.
Hmmm..well, I haven’t had Doritos in a loooooong time so I can’t say, but I love this! Thanks!
Taco seasoning in popcorn sounds good too
YES!!!!
Oh my goodness! This is amazing! Thank you so much for this incredible recipe. My husband and I are trying to cut out unhealthy foods and all the additives so we have been having popcorn when we feel like a salty snack. But sometimes you miss other favours and feel like something else other than plain salt – well this is the answer! Yum all the way from sunny South Africa!
You are so welcome from rainy Midwest of the US :). Thank you!
I don’t use butter for the popcorn but how do you keep the seasoning to actually stick to the popcorn and not fall towards the bottom of the bowl. I just tried this by the way taste really good!
As long as you cook the popcorn in a fat it will stick- otherwise you need to spritz water or something :).
I air pop, so I drizzled coconut oil all over before sprinkling the topping. Could probably drizzle olive oil too. Disagree that it tastes “just like” doritos, but it is really good in it’s right. Also first time trying “nooch”, good introduction recipe. Whole family enjoyed it.
Glad to hear – thanks!!!
The kids love all the stinky chips like Doritos. I’m old, so I like cracked pepper and sea salt at most. Anyway, this looks like something we can destroy together.
Woot – happy to have helped!
Sorry, I did not mean to post this on the popcorn site!!
No problem :).