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How to Make Kettle Corn

Here’s a recipe showing you How to Make Kettle Corn at home!  Watch the video in the post showing you how to make this recipe.  It’s so easy!

How to Make Kettle Corn : bags of Kettle Corn

My son Brooks (the original RecipeBoy) first made this recipe way back in 2012, when he was only 11 years old. Now he’s out of college and working a real-life job! I remember making this with him. It was so easy to make, but it was so impressive to see how it turned out since kettle corn is something that we always used to buy at fairs and festivals. We made it for a neighborhood Super Bowl party we were having, and we put it in individual bags. I’ve kept the photos from the original post, but I’m re-sharing it here today in 2024.

🛒 Ingredients Needed:

  • popcorn kernels
  • vegetable or canola oil (or see tips below for alternative oils to use)
  • granulated white sugar
  • salt

four photos showing how to make kettle corn on the stove

✏️ How to Make Kettle Corn:

*The complete, printable recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  1. Put the popcorn, oil and sugar into a large pot. Partially cover and cook over medium-high to high heat, sliding the pot back and forth constantly over the burner, until the popping stops. Remove the popcorn from the heat immediately and sprinkle it with salt, if desired.
  2. Let it cool and then place it into a big bowl for munching, or put it in individual bags for private munching.

RecipeBoy making kettle corn on the stove➡️ Tips and Substitutions:

  • Don’t get the heat too high when the popcorn is sitting in the oil in the pan on the stove.
  • Be sure to constantly shake the pan back and forth across the heat. You don’t want the kernels to burn!
  • Use fresh popcorn kernels- not popcorn that has been sitting in the back of your pantry for a long time!
  • If you don’t wish to use canola or vegetable oil, you may substitute any oil that works with high-heat: refined coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil or safflower oil.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the oil to create a cinnamon kettle corn.
  • Add individual servings of kettle corn to clear bags, and create labels on your computer to display for a party or for Game Day.

Pan of Kettle Corn on stove

✔️ How to store Kettle Corn:

To store homemade kettle corn, first make sure that it has cooled completely to room temperature. Then transfer the kettle corn to an airtight food storage container or zip baggie. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. The sooner you eat it, the better it will taste!

How to Make Kettle Corn : bag the Kettle Corn
❤️ What I Love About This Recipe:

  1. It was fun to learn how to make something that is popular to sell at the fair. It’s an easy one to make with your kids.
  2. I love that kettle corn can double as a snack and a dessert.
  3. It’s a good one to display at parties (or sneak into your purse to go to a movie).

Great Snack Recipes:

Kettle Corn

Kettle Corn

RecipeBoy.com (shared from Food Network magazine)
Easy, three ingredient snack!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6 bags
Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Put the popcorn, oil and sugar into a large pot. Partially cover and cook over medium-high to high heat, sliding the pot back and forth constantly over the burner, until the popping stops. Remove the popcorn from the heat immediately and sprinkle it with salt, if desired.
  • Let it cool and then place it into a big bowl for munching, or put it in individual bags for private munching 🙂

Notes

  • To make Cinnamon Kettle Corn, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the oil, along with the sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bagCalories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
Keyword kettle corn, popcorn
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Recipe Rating




connie

Saturday 24th of June 2023

I have made kettle corn for years but I have a stir-crazy popcorn popper that I use. Love it.

Sandy D

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

I purchase mushroom popcorn at a bulk store. The kernels pop up round and larger than normal store popcorn (name brand).  It costs a little more but well worth it  

Kristin

Friday 13th of May 2016

Just tried this recipe for the first time.  It turned out great!  Thanks for the awesome recipe!

Jessica S.

Friday 1st of February 2013

This kettle corn is soooo good----the regular and with the cinnamon!!

Lori Wheeler

Thursday 13th of September 2012

I just made a batch. It is so yummy!! Thanks for sharing!!