Easy Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Recipe - Feeding Your Fam (2024)

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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

Easy Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Recipe - Feeding Your Fam (6)

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4.77 from 26 votes

Kettle Corn Recipe

Kettle Corn is a simple and delicious sweet and salty treat!! It is so simple to make, you will never go back to store bought!

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: After School Snack, Breakfast, Gift, Snack

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food, Holidays

Keyword: Kettle Corn Recipe

Servings: 10

Calories: 92kcal

Author: Sarah Alvord, Feeding Your Fam

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1.6g | Fat: 4.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.5g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 58mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @feedingyourfam or tag #feedingyourfam!

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!!

Easy Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Recipe - Feeding Your Fam (2024)

FAQs

What makes kettle corn better? ›

The caramelized sugar coating on kettle corn gives it a delightful balance between sugary sweetness and the savory note from the added salt. This unique combination of flavors is what makes kettle corn so irresistible to many people.

What is the difference between kettle popcorn and regular popcorn? ›

Classic popcorn is mostly popped with oil and butter, while kettle popcorn is traditionally air-popped in an iron kettle. Regular popcorn is considered a healthy snack. While kettle popcorn has similar health benefits, you should watch the sugar.

What makes kettle popcorn sweet? ›

Kettle corn is a variety of popcorn that is seasoned and mixed with light colored refined sugar, salt, and oil, giving it a sweet flavor. Back in the day it was made in cast iron kettles, hence the name “kettle” corn. Why is kettle corn sweet? Because there's sugar in there!

Is kettle corn healthier than butter popcorn? ›

While both varieties of popcorn have similar nutritious benefits, sugar added to kettle popcorn is more likely to cause you to gain weight (due to its higher calorie count and addictive nature). However, there is no reason to worry if you consume kettle popcorn every now and then.

What kind of popcorn is best for kettle corn? ›

Mushroom flakes, used to make kettle corn, are mostly spherical in shape and can be either round or oblong. As a result, they have a much more chewy and tender texture. Also, mushroom popcorn kernels are much harder, making them perfect for popping sugar kettle corn.

How do you make kettle corn crispy again? ›

The easiest way to refresh leftover popcorn is to toss it in the oven to warm it up and re-crisp it. Simply spread it out in an even layer on a baking sheet and place it in a 250°F oven for about five minutes, until it's warmed through.

Can diabetics eat kettle popcorn? ›

However, it is important to check the packaging as prepared bags often contain extra butter or sugar. Instead, people can look for packets of popcorn with light, unsalted butter or fewer calories. People with diabetes should avoid kettle corn varieties, as the extra sweetness comes with additional sugar.

Is popcorn OK to eat everyday? ›

Even though it is much more filling than many other snack foods, it can still be fattening if you eat too much of it. Popcorn is high in fiber, relatively low in calories and has a low energy density. Eating it in moderation may help with weight loss.

Is popcorn healthy yes or no? ›

Yes, popcorn is fun, but it's also healthy. Popcorn is a whole grain and a good source of fiber. And 3 cups of plain, air-popped popcorn weighs in at only about 95 calories.

Can dogs eat popcorn? ›

Dogs can eat popcorn as long as it's plain and air-popped popcorn, and only eaten in moderation. However, any added seasonings we love to slather on top which can be bad for dogs, and you shouldn't feed them this type of popcorn.

What is sweet and salty popcorn called? ›

Kettle corn is a sweet variety of popcorn that is typically mixed or seasoned with a light-colored refined sugar, salt, and oil.

What is German kettle corn? ›

Kettle corn is traditionally popped in a large, oiled iron kettle. At the beginning of the 18th century, European immigrants cooked corn in cast-iron kettles coated with oil. Then, they would add molasses and honey to create the perfect sweet-savory flavor.

What is the healthiest popcorn to eat? ›

The healthiest way to eat popcorn is plain and air-popped. However, most of us need a little seasoning to enjoy this snack.

Is popcorn healthier than potato chips? ›

Popcorn has fewer inflammatory fats and calories as well more fiber, deeming it a more nutritious choice than chips.

What is the healthiest popcorn to pop at home? ›

  • Quinn Aged Parmesan and Rosemary. ...
  • Boom Chicka Pop Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn. ...
  • Bjorn Qorn. ...
  • Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn. ...
  • Newman's Own Organic Touch of Butter. ...
  • Whole Foods 365 Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels. ...
  • Trader Joes Organic Popcorn With Olive Oil. ...
  • Anthony's Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
Sep 27, 2022

What makes kettle corn taste different? ›

Since kettle corn's recipe involves sugar, it is going to taste sweeter than it will salty. Whereas traditional popcorn's salt and oil make it a dominantly savory snack. Here at America's Favorite Gourmet Popcorn, we break the rules a little by offering sweet AND savory flavors for both popcorn and kettle corn.

What is special about kettle corn? ›

Unlike traditional popcorn, which is typically seasoned with salt or butter, kettle corn is coated with a sweet glaze made from sugar, oil, and salt. The glaze caramelizes during the cooking process, resulting in a golden-brown color and a tantalizing combination of sweet and salty taste. 3.

What's the difference between kettle corn and regular corn? ›

Kettle corn is also made from regular popping corn. The difference is how it's popped. Kettle corn is traditionally made in a large, iron kettle that has been oiled. The popcorn is popped before it is tossed with a little salt, and of course some sugar, to give it that addictive flavor.

What makes can corn taste better? ›

A little pinch of salt goes a long way to make canned corn taste like summer's fresh bounty. Of course, you'll want to pay attention to the sodium content on the can because it may already contain salt, so it's never a bad idea to taste canned corn before reaching for the salt shaker.

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