Homemade Kettle Corn

Say goodbye to store-bought popcorn and hello to Homemade Kettle Corn instead. It is quick and easy to make with just 4 ingredients, satisfies sweet-and-salty cravings, and will delight family and friends of all ages. Serve it on special occasions or for everyday snacking.

Recreate movie theatre magic at home with this crunchy sweet and salty kettle corn that rivals even the best fairs and festivals. Plus, it takes just a few minutes to prep the kernels before watching them pop on the stovetop. The kids will love to watch too!

Why You'll Love Homemade Kettle Corn

• A quick and easy snack. This sweet and salty kettle corn goes from stovetop to hungry hands in just 20 minutes. Your family will ask for it over and over!
• Made with only four ingredients. This recipe couldn’t be any more simple and is made with just four pantry staples. Store-bought popcorns sometimes use questionable oils and preservatives, but you control the quality of all the ingredients in this simple kettle corn recipe made with real ingredients.
• Great for movie nights and parties. Make movie nights at home, sleepovers, birthday parties and more extra special with this fresh, homemade kettle corn to enrich the experience.

Ingredient Notes

To make easy Homemade Kettle Corn, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• vegetable oil - you can use any neutral oil that tolerates heat well, like avocado oil or olive oil, but it may slightly change the flavor of the finished product. We also like using coconut oil for a subtle coconut flavor — it’s delicious!
• popcorn kernels - use your favorite kind! There are a ton of different types of popcorn to choose from, like heritage varieties and smaller or larger kernel sizes.
• sugar - classic kettle corn calls for sugar, but you can sweeten the popcorn with alternatives like coconut sugar. You could even omit it and just make regular popcorn.
• salt - a finer grain works best for distributing evenly and sticking to the popcorn.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a large skillet or pot.

How to Make the Best Homemade Kettle Corn

1. Heat oil. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or cooking pot over medium heat. Add 4 popcorn kernels and cover with the lid.
2. Add kernels. Once you hear all 4 kernels pop, this will indicate that the skillet is hot enough and ready. Add in the rest of the popcorn kernels, sugar and salt. Toss well to coat and close the lid. The kernels should spread out in a single layer in the skillet. Shake the skillet constantly (or use a wooden spoon to continuously stir) to prevent sugar from burning. The kernels will start popping quickly, in about 30 seconds.
3. Cook. Cook the kernels for about 2-3 minutes, until the popping has slowed down to once every 2 seconds. Remove the pot from the heat and shake for a few minutes until popping completely stops.

4. Serve. Immediately transfer the popcorn to a large serving bowl and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before eating.

Storing and Freezing

How to Store

Once cool to room temperature, transfer the kettle corn to an airtight container and store at room temperature for 2-3 days. Typically, homemade popcorn without any seasoning added can last for up to 1-2 weeks.

How to Freeze

You can actually freeze popcorn! Once the popcorn has completely cooled, store in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. It doesn’t actually freeze, but it will extend its shelf life but note that the texture can become more drier. You can reheat it in 10 second bursts in the microwave on high power if desired.

More Snack Recipes

• 50 Best Healthy Snacks
• Homemade Popcorn
• Tortilla Strips
• Almond Cranberry Granola Bars
• Candied Pecans
• Zucchini Bites

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