Bring the nostalgic aroma of the county fair right into your own kitchen with this simple, four-ingredient kettle corn. It offers the perfect balance of salty and sweet, making it a crowd-pleasing snack that is far superior to anything you can find in a microwave bag. Whether you are settling in for a family movie night or looking for a quick afternoon treat, this crunchy delight is ready in less than ten minutes.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: Serving 14
  • Prep Time: 2 min
  • Cook Time: 5 min
  • Total Time: 7 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or oil of your choice
  • 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar (brown sugar works too)
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Pour your chosen oil into a saucepan and add exactly three popcorn kernels to the pot.
  2. Place the lid on the pan and set your burner to medium-high heat.
  3. Once you hear those first three test kernels pop, add the remaining kernels to the pan. Give the pot a quick shake to ensure every kernel is coated in oil, then sprinkle the sugar directly over the top of the corn.
  4. Establish a rhythm of shaking the pot for 3 seconds followed by a 3-second rest. Continue this cycle until the kernels begin to pop at a steady pace. Depending on your stovetop, you may find it easier to lift the pot slightly while shaking.
  5. Once the popping is in full swing, increase your activity by shaking the pot every 1 to 2 seconds to keep the sugar moving and prevent it from sticking.
  6. Pay close attention to the sound of the popping; as soon as you notice a silence of about 3 seconds between pops, immediately remove the pan from the heat and dump the popcorn into a large bowl. This prevents the sugar from scorching.

Tips for Success

While standard white sugar provides that classic clear glaze, you can experiment with brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor profile. To ensure the best texture, always have your serving bowl standing by so you can transfer the corn the very instant it finishes popping, as the residual heat in the pan can burn the sugar in a matter of seconds. Finish the snack with a generous sprinkle of salt while it is still warm to help it adhere to the sweet coating.

Nothing beats the crunch of fresh, homemade kettle corn shared with friends and family.