Easy Homemade Kettle Corn Recipe-Sweet & Salty Popcorn
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Craving the perfect sweet and salty snack? This homemade kettle corn recipe is a quick and delicious snack made with coconut oil, sugar, salt and popcorn kernels. Skip the overpriced movie theater popcorn and make a fresh, crunchy batch at home in just 10 minutes!
If you are a popcorn fan like our fam check out my other recipes for Caramel Popcorn and White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn.
What is Kettle Corn?
Kettle corn is a deliciously sweet and salty popcorn that dates back to the 18th century. Traditionally made in large cast iron kettles, it gets its signature crunch from the combination of sugar and salt that coats each popped kernel.
Unlike buttery movie theater popcorn, kettle corn has a lightly caramelized coating that gives it a delightful balance of flavors and crunch. Today, it’s a popular snack at fairs, carnivals, and, of course, in homemade kitchens!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Kettle Corn Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 10 minutes with just a few pantry staples, perfect for a movie night at home.
- Better Than Store-Bought – No preservatives, just fresh, hot, and perfectly popped, sweet popcorn.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Ideal for movie nights, parties, or an everyday snack, my kids love this after a long day at school.
- Sweet & Salty Flavor – The best balance of crunch, sweetness, and saltiness!
How to Make Homemade Kettle Corn
Making stovetop kettle corn is simple! Follow these easy steps for the perfect popcorn every time:
- Heat the Oil-Use a 4-5 quart pot over medium-high heat. Add coconut oil and one or two popcorn kernels. Cover the pot with a lid and wait until you hear the kernel pop—this signals the oil is hot enough.
- Add the Popcorn Kernels & Sugar-Once the test kernel pops, add the rest of the popcorn kernels, sugar, and salt. Stir quickly and cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly open to allow steam to escape.
- Shake the Pot While Popping-Gently shake the pan while the kernels pop to prevent burning on the bottom of the pot. Wear oven mitts if needed, as the pot can get hot. Continue shaking until popping slows down.
- Remove from Heat & Let Rest-Take the pot off the heat but keep it covered for 1-2 minutes to allow any remaining kernels to pop. This prevents popcorn from flying everywhere!
Ingredients For The Best Homemade Kettle Corn Recipe
With just 4 simple ingredients, you can enjoy fresh, homemade kettle corn anytime:
- 1 cup yellow popcorn kernels (or enough to cover the bottom of your pot)
- 3 tbsp coconut oil-or other high temperature cooking oil, the coconut oil adds a subtle, but delicious nutty flavor to this recipe, so this is the oil I recommend using
- 2 tbsp sugar– white sugar is used in this recipe
- 1/4 tsp salt– the perfect balance between sweet and salty
That’s it! Grab a bowl, hit play on your favorite movie, and enjoy a big batch of homemade kettle corn!
What Kind of Popcorn Kernels Should I use?
For the best results, use yellow popcorn kernels, as they pop up fluffy and crisp. White kernels are a great alternative if you prefer a smaller, more tender popcorn. Feel free to experiment with different varieties!
Make This Kettle Corn Recipe for Any Occasion!
Whether you’re hosting a family movie night, packing snacks for a road trip, or making a DIY popcorn gift, this sweet and salty kettle corn will be a hit!
Try it today and see why it’s one of our favorite easy homemade snacks!
Love this recipe? Pin it for later and share with friends! 🍿
Other Popcorn Recipes We Love to Make At Home:
Kettle Corn
When you have finished Feeding Your Fam this sweet treat, come back and leave me a review here! I can’t wait to hear how this skillet cookie recipe turned out for you!
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Kettle Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow popcorn kernels (or just enough to cover bottom of pot)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large 4-5 quart pot over medium high heat, melt the 3 tablespoons coconut oil. Add one kernel of popcorn and cover pot with the lid tilted to create a small vent, until you hear the kernel pop.
- Remove the lid and add the remaining 1 cup yellow popcorn kernels , 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to coat and then quickly flatten kernels on the bottom of the pot, just so they cover the bottom.
- Cover the pot with a lid and shake gently. You will hear the kernels begin to pop.
- Continue shaking over the heat for another 2-3 minutes or until the popping begins to slow down.
- Remove from the heat and leave the lid on for just a few seconds until you hear the popping stop. Makes 8-10 cups of popped popcorn. Store in an air tight container.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are just an estimate of the ingredients used
- Allow the kettle corn to cool, then store in an airtight container
Nutrition
*Recipe post with more information February 27, 2025, the recipe was not changed.
How to Store Homemade Kettle Corn
The best way to store any left over kettle corn is in air tight containers, or zip top bags. This popcorn will keep fresh for up to a week or longer.
We like to make large batches of this recipe and take it with us on long road trips or weekend campouts. It is always a hit and always gets eaten!
This Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Recipe is an easy homemade snack made with coconut oil, sugar, salt and popcorn kernels. Skip the movie theater and stay home with a big batch of this deliciousness!!
Every single time I try to make kettle corn, including following this recipe just now, it all burns. What am I doing wrong????
I have had it burn on me before as well. It usually only happens when I have the heat up too high or when I hold the lid on the pan too tight while I am shaking it. Make sure you take the time to test the oil with a few kernels before you put the rest of the kernels in the pan.
We have nut allergies here. Would it work with any oil besides coconut oil?
Absolutely, I would suggest you use either vegetable or canola oil.
Great easy recipe!
Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a comment! I’m so happy you liked this recipe!!
If I wasn’t sooo lazy… I would totally make these!! They look to die for! I’m gonna have to stick to my act ll popcorn with extra butter for now tho. The last time I tried to cook something, I set off the fire alarms! But no worries your girls fine! I would love to make these in the future when I know I’m not gonna burn my entire apartment down!! Hahah! I’ll definite be saving this recipe for my friend to make, who is an excellent cook!
Haha Suzy thanks for the laugh and your comment!! I hope you do get to try this recipe sometime!! You can’t go wrong with the microwave popcorn though….unless you forget about it and burn like I have definitely done!! 😂
My husband was craving some kettle corn and I found your recipe on Pinterest. I can’t believe how easy and delicious this recipe was! Thank you for sharing. My husband loved it but wanted it to be a little sweeter, so next time, I will add a little more sugar. We can’t wait to make this for our grandkids!!!!
I’m so happy it hit the spot!! Definitely add more sugar and make it your own!! Thanks so much for your comment!
So easy and sooo good!
I used Black Truffle Salt and OM! its so good.
Thank you!
That sounds amazing! I will have to try that next time I make this!! Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a comment!
Girl you have got to help me!! I tried this and it burned so bad…I watched you do it but when I went to do it it was so hot I could barely hold the towel over the lid to vent and I kept slipping the lid all the way on and then too far off. I just feel like I’m missing something.
I am here for you!! It sounds like the stove might be too hot, I would try turning the heat down a bit, you want it just hot enough that the popcorn pops. I have had it too hot that only some will pop and the rest will burn. I have also held the pan a little bit off the heat, just over the burner as I shake it if I feel that the hair on my fingers is burning off! 😳
Can’t say enough good things about this recipe!! The first time I attempted it it all burned but once I watched the tutorial I’ve made it flawlessly every other time! Thanks for posting:)
I’m so happy it worked out for you!! There is definitely a bit of a learning curve to find the right temperature and even the right pan sometimes!
Thank you for being clear on what to do–including coating the sugar!! We tried it with 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of salt and that suited my family better. The instructions were on point! I also popped mine with a clear lid and it helped with watching it pop and not burn!!!
I’m so happy it turned out so good for you!! Using a clear lid is such a great tip!! Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a comment!
Hello! Do you know how long these will stay fresh in an airtight container? I live in an area with warm climate, will room temperature be too hot?
Room temperature will be perfect for keeping this popcorn fresh. If you store it in an air tight container it will last up to four weeks.
The coconut oil was a pleasant surprise! Delish!
I’m so glad you liked it!! It really does add great flavor!
I followed the recipe but using a 6 qt pasta pot with lid that has drain holes for draining pasta. The popcorn I used was Orville Redenbacher’s because it had the largest most intense yellow kernels. The popcorn quickly filled the pot and squished together. I had to take the pan off the heat earlier than ready. Next time I will only use 3/4 cup popcorn
I will have to try that brand of kernels next time! I usually use white popcorn kernels, but each brand can definitely pop differently.
Thank you for the recipe, like others my first attempt was a fail burnt sticky mess, I slowed down watched your steps and this is delicious. Our family will be making this often. Again thank you for taking the time to show us how to make one of our favorite snacks.
Has anyone tried this with brown sugar instead of white?
I just tried this and it turned out perfect! The coconut oil gave it such a nice flavor. I made it for movie time, but we had it instead of dinner. I think we have found our new favorite snack!
I’m so happy you liked it! I love the flavor the coconut oil gives it too!! No judgement here on having popcorn for dinner!!
although some was tasty, it burnt the bottom of the pot and smelled/tasted awful
Wow, it sounds like the heat was up too high while cooking. Did you shake the pan while it was cooking?
Would it work with coconut sugar?
I haven’t tried coconut sugar in this recipe, my fear would be that it can’t be cooked at a high heat and would burn easily. Please let me know if you give it a try.