I can’t remember if I’ve already told you guys this, but about 6 months ago, I gave up potato chips completely. Shane likes to have them in the house at all times and all too often I would grab the bag and just start mindlessly snacking on them. It never ended well… It was much easier to just stop eating them altogether than to try to limit myself to a few. We still keep a bag in the pantry almost all the time for Shane, but I just stay away. To be honest, I don’t even miss them. That said, I definitely still crave salty snacks from time to time and popcorn has become the go-to option.
I usually just make the popcorn on the stove top, season it with a little salt and call it a day. Homemade popcorn is so good, even with just a few simple ingredients! And you can eat a big bowl without nearly the same guilt that comes with a lot of other snacks π
The only variation I’ve ever had any interest in making at home was kettle corn, and I’ve been trying to find a good recipe for a while (probably even before I stopped eating chips). You’d think it would be easy – just add a little sugar, right? But no, I have wound up with so much burnt sugar on the bottom of pots you wouldn’t believe it. Finally, I came across this recipe, and my search for amazing homemade kettle corn was over. It turns out the keys to success are twofold: use a really large pot to make the popcorn and shake the heck out of it as the kernels pop. I have had nothing but good results with this method since I started using it. This kettle corn is the perfect mix of salty and sweet; no movie night at our house is complete without it these days!
Homemade Kettle Corn
from Our Best Bites
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
3 tablespoons sugar
kosher salt, to taste
Set a large stock pot (a big pot is key here, don’t sub a smaller one) over medium to medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pot along with 3 kernels of popcorn. Cover the pot and wait – once the oil gets to the right temperature, those first 3 kernels will pop. That’s your cue to add the remaining kernels to the pot.
While you’re waiting for those first 3 kernels to pop, stir together the remaining kernels and sugar in a small bowl. Once the first 3 kernels pop, add this mixture to the pot. Using a wooden spoon, immediately stir, scraping the sugar from the bottom of the pot. Cover the pot.
The key to this recipe is making sure to shake the pot frequently to ensure the sugar doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pot as the kernels pop. Use a dish towel or pot holders to grip the handles of the pot and the cover at the same time and aggressively shake the pot up and down and from side to side. You’ll want to do this about every 10-15 seconds as the kernels pop (to be clear, you want to start shaking as soon as you add the kernels to the pot – don’t wait for them to start popping).
Continue shaking the pot frequently until you can hear that the kernels have nearly finished popping. Remove the cover and stir the popcorn immediately. Season to taste with kosher salt and continue stirring. You can serve the popcorn warm or at room temperature once it’s cooled.
YEAH!!! I just made Cinnamon Sugar popcorn this weekend and my husband asked when I was making kettle corn. I told him that I was to afraid of burning all the sugar in the pot. This sounds like a great recipe and I am totally going to try it this weekend!!! YUM! I kind of want it now but I haven’t even had breakfast.
I am not really a fan of popcorn, but for some reason I love caramel kettle corn. Kind of defeats any nutritional value though.
Matt is addicted to Kettle Corn, I always buy a bag of it when I know he is coming home and I always take a bag when I go to visit. This sounds easy enough. Mark is addicted to chips as well…he likes to grocery shop so he can check out the chip aisle and bring home any and all new selections/varieties. He considers it a vegetable. lol Long long ago I allocated one cupboard for Mark…it’s the upper cabinet above the microwave. In it he keeps all junk food out of sight and out of my mind. I NEVVER look in there, I just always tell myself it is his personal and private stash and this way he can keep all junk items there and I don’t think about them or munch on them. It’s been a very good thing.
Totally random: How do you get your photos and stuff on tastespotting?
PS. I LOVE KETTLE CORN!!! I didn’t know it was so easy… this may be a problem:p
Definitely something everyone needs to make at home. Great recipe!
Oh no…this is something I do NOT need to know how to do! I’m infamous for getting kettle corn stomach aches from eating too much π
From a snack addict: thanks a lot!
I wonder if the sugar would burn in the microwave…. I use the Nordic Ware Popcorn Popper – simply a plastic bowl designed to pop popcorn in the microwave without oil.
Kernels are cheap… maybe I’ll have to experiment.
Thank God that sugar is hydrophilic! Or I’d never make this stuff π
Get a Whirly Pop popcorn maker and you won’t burn the sugar. Ever since I have gotten one I have not used anything else. Popcorn comes out great everytime!
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
I ate a sample of kettle corn at the grocery store the other day – it was good, but certainly not as good as homemade!
So happy you posted this recipe, the other day I “tried” to make kettle corn for my family and I burned the sugar on the bottom of the pot.. Will be using this recipe tomorrow! Thank you so much!
I am reading blogs too late today and now I want popcorn. This looks incredible, Tracey!
I am kind of embarrassed to say I’ve never made popcorn on the stove. Only the microwave. Thanks for all the previously burned pots so you could share this one with us. π A salty sweet snack sounds pretty awesome right about now.
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I just may have to whip up some popcorn today!
Looks so great Tracy!! Have to give it a try soon.
This is the only kind we made when I was growing up.
I have never though heard of putting sugar on it.
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
Oh Tracey, I think we need to meet up half-way between Boston and NYC and eat all the food you make. Kettle Corn is my absolutely favorite thing. I can’t believe I’ve never tried it before!!
I am the same way with potato chips – once I start, there is no stopping! My son will love this homemade version of kettlecorn. He rarely gets it, but is a big fan of the stuff!
Hi there. Food on Friday: Corn on Carole’s Chatter is now open for entries. This looks like a good one! I do hope you link it in. This is the link . Please do pop back to check out some of the other links. Have a great week.
I love kettle corn but have only made regular popcorn on the stovetop.
I tried your recipe last night and ended up with a small burnt area of sugar at the bottom of my pot (and a slightly smoky kitchen) but I still thought it was delightful! I will for sure try again, once I get my largest pot out of storage,
I really like the taste of kettle corn, but for some reason it makes my stomach feel weird. I think it’s just pop corn in general, sadly π
Your pictures are really pretty though π
I just made this for my girls. It was super easy and yummy. They loved it. No left overs at our house.
I just made this and it worked perfectly. I LOVE kettle corn. Thanks for the recipe and the good tips!
This was amazing! I am in serious trouble now that I have this recipe. I linked to this page on my blog:
http://lifeatpuddlecreek.blogspot.com/2013/04/goodness.html
Thanks!!
Hello I’m a recent vegan, by choice, just sitting here wondering what to make for a late night snack. I have popcorn, but no butter…….OMG this recipe is outstanding!!! Followed it to a “T” and nothing is burnt and so delicious! Thank you so very much!!!
Kelm64
Imma try this out. While I love kettle corn the homemade is less guilty than store bought as most use sucralose for sweetener, not cool.