Kettle Corn Recipe
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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!!
If you are a popcorn fan like our fam check out my other recipes for Caramel Popcorn and White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn.
Homemade Kettle Corn
Homemade Kettle Corn is one of our go to snack choices! This recipe is so simple to make and is ready in under 10 minutes.
Don’t be afraid to try this, it really is easy and comes out perfect every time. If you haven’t tried making homemade popcorn before, let this be a turning point for you!
You won’t go back to store bought once you taste a fresh, hot batch of this kettle corn!!
How to Make Homemade Kettle Corn
To make this stovetop kettle corn you will want to use a 4-5 quart pot or cast iron. Place the pot on the stove top over medium-high heat.
Add the oil and one or two popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and wait until you hear the kernel pop, this will take just a few minutes, so don’t walk away.
This is to help you know when the oil is hot enough to add in the kernels and start the popping.After you know the oil is hot enough, remove the lid and add in the rest of the kernels, sugar and salt. Give it a quick stir and place the lid back on the pot, leaving the lid off to the side a little so heat can vent from the pan.
Pour in just enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan, one kernel deep.
With the lid on the pot, vented and it still over the heat, gently shake the pan as you hear the kernels begin to pop. You might want to wear some oven mitts for this part as the heat over the stove can get hot.
Continue to shake the pan over the heat until you hear the popping slow down.
Remove from the heat and keep the pan covered for 1-2 minutes until you no longer hear popping. If you remove the pan too early, you will have popcorn popping all over!!
Ingredients Needed for this Kettle Corn Recipe
Just a few simple ingredients and you are all set for your binge weekend or family movie night! For this homemade kettle corn recipe you will need:
- 1 cup yellow popcorn kernels (or just enough to cover the bottom of your pot)
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
That is it!! Now sit down and enjoy a show, snack or make up a batch as a special gift!!
What Kind of Popcorn Kernels Should I use?
I personally prefer yellow kernels, they just work perfectly when cooked in a pot or cast iron. My second choice would be white kernels.
There are definitely other varieties of kernels that you can use for this recipe, so if you have one you like best, go ahead and use that one.
Kettle Corn Recipe
Kettle Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow popcorn kernels (or just enough to cover bottom of pot)
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large 4-5 quart pot over medium high heat, melt the 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 popcorn kernels, sugar and 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 vent 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
Nutrition
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.