On Sunday afternoons, there is one vendor at our local farmers market my kids and I cannot resist – the kettle corn merchant. Ever since we discovered it years ago it’s a highlight we look forward to every visit. When we go and discover the kettle corn stand is not there, the market is somehow not the same.
Made fresh throughout the day, this savory sweet snack is the one snack I look forward to buying and eating at state fairs, festivals and farmers markets. ‘The good stuff’ is prepared in a deep steel kettle drum by someone that treats it as the art it is instead of a fun snack. It’s still fun to watch them stir the bulk sized portions in the large hot kettle.
What many don’t know is that kettle corn can be made from home with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. My children love to measure out the ingredients, but it is important to mention that adults should be in charge over the stove as to not burn any kids trying to make this themselves. The homemade version is impressively similar to the kettle corn I’m used to buying. Best of all, kids love the idea of making kettle corn at home. Kettle corn has a special way of making days more special and fun. Now you can make this at home, too. Enjoy!
Recipe: Kettle Corn Recipe
Summary: A simple recipe for kettle corn
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn and sugar. Give the kernels a quick stir and then cover with a lid. Once the popcorn starts popping, carefully pick the pot up and give it a quick shake every few seconds until the popping slows down, between 3-4 minutes. Remove immediately from the heat and pour the kettle corn into a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately. Do not make the mistake of removing the pot from heat without transferring to a bowl. Due to the high heat of the pot, if you don’t transfer the popcorn it will caramelize and perhaps burn. *Also, do not attempt to make a batch of this in a dutch oven. I made a second batch thinking it would work and it caramelized to quickly and burned.
Preparation time: 3 minute(s)
Cooking time: 5 minute(s)
I never knew it was so easy to make kettle corn at home. I can’t wait to share this with my sister, who is kettle korn krazy!
We do the same thing every week with our kettle corn vendor at the farmers’ market (my booth is right across from theirs). My son will be thrilled if we can make it at home!
I am not great at the different types of pots out there. What is the approximate size and type of pot you used? Isn’t a dutch oven a large pot? I just want to make some and don’t want to use the wrong thing. Thanks!
Hi Denise,
A Dutch oven is a heavy pot. A large pot with a lid will work beautifully!