Dehydrated cheese is the main ingredient in cheese powder. There are a few different ways to make it, but the most common commercial method is to melt fresh, whole cheese and then spray it through a hot dryer. This creates a thick, velvety powder that can be added to popcorn, breads, sauces, and oddly enough, recipes for homemade cheese.

Cheddar is the most common ingredient in cheese powder, but Swiss, sharp, and other varieties are also available. It isn’t generally sold on grocery store racks, yet can be acquired through some internet cheesemaking supply houses and zest or baking merchandise shops.