Homemade Kettle Korn

Kettle Korn

Are you the type of person when you attend a fair or event look forward to the Kettle Korn and Candied Pecans?  Well I am.  You’d think they were calling my name over the loud speaker telling me exactly where they are, because I literally find my way to their booth, almost instantly. 

Well it wasn’t until this past month when visiting my mom that my sister had picked up a bag of Kettle Korn from Sam’s.  She pulled out the bag and my daughter and I couldn’t stop eating it.  I decided to check the ingredient list and discovered there were just a few: corn kernels, canola oil and sugar.

After reading the ingredients I thought, “I can make that!”  So that’s exactly what I set out to do.  I’ve figured out how to make candied pecans, a treat I make during the holidays, for gift-giving, salads, and an appetizer.  There’s never any leftover.

While we’re here in the mountains, I decided to attempt making a batch of Kettle Korn using the ingredients I saw on the package from Sam’s.  It was so simple and delicious!  We haven’t been able to stop eating it. I’ve been making a batch every night.

If you love Kettle Korn you’ll love this!  I’ve been thinking of adding drizzled chocolate and nuts, but keep thinking, “why ruin a good thing?”  I’m sure it would take this popcorn to a whole new level, but for now, I’ll just keep it simple.

At home when I make popcorn I use the Whirley-Pop.  Out here we don’t have one, so I’m just using a large stainless steel pot with a see through lid.  It’s perfect!

Here’s the recipe – if you prefer, decrease the amount of sugar, however, we like it this way.

Homemade Kettle Korn

Ingredients:

3/4 cup popcorn kernels

1 tablespoons Canola Oil

1/2 cup granulated sugar or less if desired

 

Directions:

1. In a large heavy stock pot with a see through lid, if possible, place canola oil in pot with 3 kernels of corn.

IMG_4171

2. Place lid on pot and turn the heat up.  Wait for kernels to pop.

IMG_4172

3. When the 3 kernels pop, place sugar and 3/4 cup popcorn kernels in pot and cover with lid.

IMG_4173

4. Swish pan back and forth to distribute and combine sugar and oil.

5. Continue shaking pot back and forth until popping slows down.

6. Remove from burner and allow the remaining kernels to pop.  Once the popping has stopped, remove lid and pour into a large bowl.  (Be careful, popcorn is extremely hot).

IMG_4103

Note: Keep burner on medium heat.  If too high the sugar and oil will burn.

 

ENJOY!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

28 comments

  1. I am obsessed with kettle korn!! This would be great to make a lot of and give away as gifts or party favors!

    • So am I. It’s just the right amount of sweetness, not to much, just perfect. Goldilocks would love this. I agree it would be perfect to give as gifts or party favors. Just be careful not to turn the heat up too high or the sugar and oil will burn.

  2. So smart Vicki, to figure this out! It sounds so easy!

    • It was easy to figure out. I knew I couldn’t add the sugar right away. I felt like it would be best to let the oil heat up. Then once it was hot enough to let a few kernels pop then I would add the sugar, then the rest of the kernels. It worked perfectly.

      You just have to remember not to turn the fire/heat up too high or it will burn. It’s delicious and just the right amount of sweetness.

  3. I can’t believe how much of the stuff we’ve been eating. My husband claimed he didn’t like Kettle Korn when I brought it home once from an event. Now he’s asking me if I will make him the popcorn with the sugar.

    For anyone avoiding sugar I don’t feel like it’s too sweet. It’s got just a hint of sweetness but boy is it ever addicting.

  4. I love the kettle corn from our local farmer’s market but now I can’t wait to try this myself. Wow! Is it really that easy?

    • It is that easy. I’m not sure what other ways there are to make it but I just used a pot that I have here. I made sure the oil was hot before adding in the sugar. I did that by adding those few kernels. Once they popped I knew it was ok to put the sugar and the rest of the kernels in. Just be sure not to turn the heat up to high or it will burn. Let me know how it turns out. We can’t seem to get enough of it.

  5. Didn’t know it could this easy!!!

  6. I can only imagine how addicting this kettle korn is! Dangerous and delicious!!!

    • No kidding! Now that I’ve been making it we are eating it nightly. So addicting but certainly a lot cheaper to make it than by it and it’s nice and fresh.

  7. Would you believe I’ve never had kettle korn? I love popcorn and caramel corn so I’m certain I would love this.

    • I love caramel corn too. What’s great about Kettle Korn is that it’s not too sweet. So the men in my household love it as well. It’s light, slightly sweet but not too sweet. It’s perfect! Of course you can adjust the sugar to the amount you like but 1/2 cup tastes great to us. Let me know what you think it you try it.

  8. Looks delish! And a lot of fun to make. It’s been ages since I’ve had kettle corn (I’m more into savory and salty than sweet when it comes to popcorn) but this looks so good I should give it a try. Thanks so much.

  9. My husband and I love kettle corn, so I know I will be making this…soon.
    Thanks for the tips…and recipe.
    Hope you are having a great week Vicki 😀

    • It will be your new go to snack. It’s so good. In a way I’m upset I figured this out because we can’t stop eating it. At least it’s not too bad for you.

  10. Hi Vicki,

    We love the fun of making pop corn at home. Love the sounds of them popping in a pot and us munching them 😀

    Zoe

    • You’ll love this. I’m that way too. When I was showing my 26 year old how I was making it I got so excited when it started to pop. He thinks I’m silly. I remember how excited we all use to get when making Jiffy Pop. When the foil would expand it was so exciting and loud.

      There’s just something fun about making popcorn. It’s an event!

  11. What a lovely treat! I’d be tempted to make it every evening too.

  12. I’ll bet this is so good!!! I can’t remember the last time I made popcorn but when I see it at the farmers market I always stop in for a sample..sometimes I buy a small bag 😉
    I agree-there is something very fun about making popcorn and it sure does make the kitchen and house smell good 😉

  13. We always watch movies with big bags of popcorn in our hands! This is such fun recipe! My kids love caramel popcorn!

  14. Never made some popcorn in more than a year . The popcorn kernels that I bought last time were never really good – more unpopped kernels than popcorn ugh ! The popcorn that I really love is from our local cinemas here , their popcorn is really good er according to my taste buds 😀 The price though is a bit steep , nearly half the price of a 3D ticket , the morning showing *sigh* Love your kettle popcorn , need to find some good kernels lol

  15. What a treat! I have to give your recipe a try, Vickie. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary

  16. Eh? You can make kettle korn at home?! Ohhh I have to try these for my family! 😀 Thank you so much for the recipe, Vicki!!!

  17. I’m making kettle corn filled mason jars for wedding favors…..have you tried vacuum sealing kettle corn in jars and how long does it stay fresh? Thanks!

    ~Kristy

    • What a fun idea! I haven’t checked to see how long it lasts since we gobble it up so quickly. However it’s just sugar with canola oil and popcorn. I would think it would last a long time so long as its sealed tightly and kept dry.

Leave a Comment »