Kale-Dusted Pecorino Popcorn

A gourmet twist on classic popcorn featuring crispy kale powder and sharp Pecorino Romano cheese. This savory snack combines the earthiness of baked kale with the salty punch of Italian cheese for an elevated popcorn experience.

4 servings

40 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•1 bundle Lacinato kale
•1 tablespoon olive oil
•1 pinch sea salt
•4 tablespoons olive oil
•⅓ cup popcorn kernels
•⅔ cup Pecorino Romano
•1 to taste sea salt and black pepper
•1 to taste seasonings

Cooking Instructions

1.
Heat the oven to 300°F. Rinse and dry the kale; no worries if you don't get every last droplet of water off. Remove and discard the tough stems.
5 min
2.
Lightly brush two large baking sheets with olive oil-the thinnest coat is just fine. Arrange the leaves in one layer on the prepared baking sheet(s), sprinkle lightly with salt, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the leaves are crisp. Let cool completely. In a food processor, with a mortar and pestle, or even with a muddler in a bowl, grind the kale chips down into a coarse powder.
20 min
3.
Place 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 or 3 kernels of popcorn in a 3-quart or larger pot. Turn the heat to medium-high, and cover with a lid. When you hear these first kernels pop, add the remaining kernels and replace the lid. Using pot holders, shimmy the pot around to keep the kernels moving as they pop. When several seconds pass between pops, remove from the heat.
10 min
4.
Transfer to a bowl, and immediately toss with the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, kale dust, Pecorino, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Toss until evenly coated. Taste, and adjust the seasonings if needed.
5 min

Cooking Instructions

Heat the oven to 300°F. Rinse and dry the kale; no worries if you don't get every last droplet of water off. Remove and discard the tough stems.

5 min

Lightly brush two large baking sheets with olive oil-the thinnest coat is just fine. Arrange the leaves in one layer on the prepared baking sheet(s), sprinkle lightly with salt, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the leaves are crisp. Let cool completely. In a food processor, with a mortar and pestle, or even with a muddler in a bowl, grind the kale chips down into a coarse powder.

20 min

Place 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 or 3 kernels of popcorn in a 3-quart or larger pot. Turn the heat to medium-high, and cover with a lid. When you hear these first kernels pop, add the remaining kernels and replace the lid. Using pot holders, shimmy the pot around to keep the kernels moving as they pop. When several seconds pass between pops, remove from the heat.

10 min

Transfer to a bowl, and immediately toss with the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, kale dust, Pecorino, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Toss until evenly coated. Taste, and adjust the seasonings if needed.

5 min