Ghost Cheddar Popcorn is devilishly spiced and not for the faint of heart, although it is manageably spicy.
Ghost Cheddar Popcorn
By Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime
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Ghost Cheddar Popcorn is my recipe of the day. You may notice that I also am sharing my recipe for honey sriracha peanuts for a separate event.
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I am known as being a bit of a chilehead as I love love love hot and spicy food. I also love popcorn. Being a diabetic I am very happy that for whatever reason, having a small bowl does not run my bs up, but I know it is different for everyone. So if you know me and know I am diabetic, simply seeing me post something doesn’t mean it is ok for diabetics.
I do cook some things which I may only taste before passing it on to family and friends. But for me, the small bowl of popcorn is ok. I hope it is also ok for you.
It helps that this is even hotter than the sriracha nuts, and has a definite burn that builds. So you aren’t exactly going to be able to pig out on this easily.
Of course, you can dial the heat down by using a less *lethal* type of ground pepper. Cayenne and jalapeno are really delicious and are far less spicy than the ghost.
Oh and you might want to add just a little bit of the pepper to the cheese mix and taste it before dumping it all in. Some people don’t even like black pepper and I really don’t need the hate mail. K?
But anyway, this is great for parties.
I remember when I was young we had a huge jar of some freakishly hot pickled jalapenos (not really hot compared to this but- hey! It was the 1970’s!)
We used to dare each other to eat those. And watch our faces turn red. So you can imagine the fun you might have with this snack!
Enjoy! And have a safe and happy Halloween!
Halloween Recipes
Festive Foodies bloggers have joined hands to bring you a collection of favorite Halloween recipes, both today, and also we shared a bunch on Tuesday, so you can go back and check those out if you like.
Tuesday I shared my recipe for Candy Calzones, which are flaky turnovers chock full of candy bars. You can make them ahead on purpose, or if you should happen to find yourself buried in candy bars after Halloween, these are a good way to get rid of some, and right quick, too.
Halloween Recipes
- Ghost Cheddar Popcorn by Palatable Pastime
- Graveyard Chocolate Apple Slices by Big Bear’s Wife
- Graveyard Cookie Dip by Our Good Life
- Halloween Crunch by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Halloween Haystacks by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Halloween Muddy Buddies by Kate’s Recipe Box
- Monster Marshmallows by Family Around the Table
- Monster Mash Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Mummy Brownies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Shrimp on the Brain Dip by Cooking with Carlee
- Boozy Graveyard Chocolate Pumpkin Rum Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
- Vampire Victim Cocktail by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

Ghost Cheddar Popcorn
Ingredients
- 14 cups popped popcorn
- 1/3 cup cheddar cheese powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ghost chili pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Pop popcorn using your favorite method.
- Stir together the cheddar cheese powder, chili powder, salt, ground ghost chili pepper, and garlic powder.
- Drizzle popcorn with melted butter and toss to mix.
- Sprinkle with cheese mixture and toss again to coat.
Notes
Nutrition
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OOOhhhhh, I like spicy and enjoy jalapeno popcorn but ghost pepper? I will have to start slowly I think.
You can use the jalapeno pepper powder in this- I did cut the ghost way back to 1/4 tsp but it might take more of a milder pepper. Start small and taste the cheese mix with the pepper in it and you will get a good idea before it’s where you can’t walk it back.
I tried a ghost pepper once. Once.