Cheesy Chili Lime Popcorn

I love popcorn. I bought a simple air-popper at a garage sale a few years ago and I pull it out multiple times a week. I feel like it’s a quick, easy, inexpensive, and healthy snack that we all really like. A little butter and salt make air-popped popcorn delicious and it’s way better for you than that microwaved stuff.

I was in the mood for something different one day and so this recipe was born. I recently acquired some queso cotija. It’s a Mexican cheese that resembles Parmesan but is incredibly salty. I haven’t liked anything that I used it on until now; this cheese was meant for popcorn. A little lime zest and cayenne pepper really made this irresistible. The best part is it is super quick and easy. While we are on the queso cotija topic, what is it used for? Anyone know what it is good on?

Cheesy Chili Lime Popcorn
Printable Recipe

8 cups popped popcorn
4 T. butter, melted
3/4 cup queso cotija
zest of one lime
1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Place your popped corn in a large bowl and drizzle it with half of the melted butter. Stir it around and drizzle the rest of the butter. In a small bowl combine the queso cotija, lime zest, and cayenne. Stir to combine. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the buttered popcorn and toss to combine. Sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture on top of the popcorn. Eat right away.

Notes:
The cheese kind of settles to the bottom of the bowl, so I tried to leave a good portion of it on top of the popcorn to start out. The butter helps some of it to stick to the popcorn better.
If you don’t like things hot just add a dash of cayenne, adjust the measurements to taste.
Leftover popcorn is not edible in my opinion, so I don’t suggest storing this; just make what you think you’ll eat.

Comments

mommaRx says:

July 16, 2012 at 9:06 pm

Hey Melissa- I think Cotija cheese is what they sprinkle on Cafe Rio salads- delicious!!

- Melissa says:
  
  July 17, 2012 at 9:01 am
  
  Hmmm. Now I must try it and my husband will thank you for all the the Cafe Rio being produced in the house :)
  
Brooke says:

July 17, 2012 at 6:47 am

I’m not positive but it looks like the cheese they use on large corn on the cobs that are sold on the street in Mexican neighborhoods. And All recipes dot com just confirmed it! Search: Mexican corn on the cob! :)

- Melissa says:
  
  July 17, 2012 at 9:03 am
  
  Hmmm. I’ve never been to Mexico but if a street vender is selling it I’m sure I’d like it :) Thanks for the tip, I think I’m going to have to try it! See, I was on the right track, corn – popcorn…
  
  Thanks!
  
My name is Becka says:

July 17, 2012 at 12:03 pm

Wow, this looks really yummy.

Lindsay Marie says:

July 17, 2012 at 8:25 pm

Melissa, definitely try the same ingredients on grilled corn on the cob. it is DELICIOUS!

Wellstopia says:

July 18, 2012 at 6:35 pm

Look on OurBestBites.com they have a recipe for Mexican corn that is AMAZING that uses that cheese

willowday says:

July 23, 2012 at 6:43 am

Yum!!! I can’t wait to make this.