Kettle corn is typically sold at farmer’s markets and fairs, even at many sporting events. This popcorn recipe is my family’s all-time favorite! It’s light and fresh tasting with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s truly the perfect blend of popcorn, sweet and salty. Now you can make it at home anytime you want it…One thing I know for sure, it’s hard to resist! Even though my recipe calls for just 3 ingredients to pop, it’s crucial to have the right proportions. It took me numerous attempts to finally come up with this winning recipe. It’s healthier than some of the kettle corn out there because it’s popped in canola oil and I’m not using as much oil or sugar. Each serving has 125 calories and 7 grams of fat. Wait until you taste this!!! It’s sure to become a staple in your home. Have fun crunching!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup canola oil or vegetable oil (do not use olive oil for this recipe)
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ⅔ cup un-popped white popcorn kernels, if possible, see shopping tips
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- In a large, deep nonstick pan or pot add the oil, sugar, water, popcorn and mix together until all kernels are coated. Shake to spread out over pan. Cover and heat on medium-high heat. Shake the pan often to keep the sugar from burning. Once the popping has started, shake pan continuously until all kernels have slowed to once every 2-3 seconds, remove the pan from the heat and continue to shake until the popping has stopped.
- Immediately pour into a large bowl so it doesn’t burn the popcorn. Sprinkle with a little salt and serve warm. It’s delicious at room temperature too! Store any leftover kettle corn in a plastic bag or airtight container.
Notes
Serves 8 (about 2½ cups each serving)
Food Facts
So you might be wondering, who exactly invented Kettle Corn? It’s been popped for decades and continues to grow in popularity. One story says farmers and cowboys of the old Midwest made their own version of kettle corn. After a day of harvesting, they would put rendered fat in a cast iron pot sitting on the fire. When the fat was hot they’d add some corn kernels and whatever sweetener they had on hand, usually honey or molasses. Un-popped kernels are called “old maids!” Healthy Benefits
Popcorn is a whole grain in the same league as oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and millet. It contains a fair amount of fiber. Shopping Tips
Most places that sell kettle corn use white popcorn. Although it’s a little tricky to find, I’ve found it at Von’s, Safeway, Food 4 Less and Scolaries. If you can’t find white kernels, yellow will work too. Substitution Tips
If you want this recipe to be a bit more sugary, use ½ cup of popcorn instead of ⅔ cup. It will add a little more calories and fat to the Skinny Facts. Serving Tips
This sweet popcorn makes a great treat to pack in your kid’s lunch! If you’re looking for a regular popcorn recipe be sure to try one of my favorites. It’s popped in heart-healthy olive oil called Skinny Old Fashioned Popcorn.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 4-Blue
WW SmartPoints 4-Green
WW POINTS PLUS 3
So you might be wondering, who exactly invented Kettle Corn? It’s been popped for decades and continues to grow in popularity. One story says farmers and cowboys of the old Midwest made their own version of kettle corn. After a day of harvesting, they would put rendered fat in a cast iron pot sitting on the fire. When the fat was hot they’d add some corn kernels and whatever sweetener they had on hand, usually honey or molasses. Un-popped kernels are called “old maids!” Healthy Benefits
Popcorn is a whole grain in the same league as oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and millet. It contains a fair amount of fiber. Shopping Tips
Most places that sell kettle corn use white popcorn. Although it’s a little tricky to find, I’ve found it at Von’s, Safeway, Food 4 Less and Scolaries. If you can’t find white kernels, yellow will work too. Substitution Tips
If you want this recipe to be a bit more sugary, use ½ cup of popcorn instead of ⅔ cup. It will add a little more calories and fat to the Skinny Facts. Serving Tips
This sweet popcorn makes a great treat to pack in your kid’s lunch! If you’re looking for a regular popcorn recipe be sure to try one of my favorites. It’s popped in heart-healthy olive oil called Skinny Old Fashioned Popcorn.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 4-Blue
WW SmartPoints 4-Green
WW POINTS PLUS 3
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving (about 2½ cups) 125 calories, 7g fat, 1g sat. fat, 0mg chol, 1g protein, 14g carbs, 1g fiber, 147mg sodium, 6g sugar |
| FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints 84 calories, 1g sat. fat, 0g protein, 6g sugar |
Skinny Facts
Serving: 2.5cupsCalories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 147mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gBlue Smart Points: 4Green Smart Points: 4Plus Points: 3
I’m tempted to try this using stevia. I’ll let you know if I do.
Beth, Not sure 100% Stevia will taste very good. You might want to try 1/2 Stevia and 1/2 sugar. That said, If you try it with only Stevia, I’d love to hear if you liked it!
All the best,
Nancy
Yours is the second kettle corn recipe that I have now tried. The first one the sugar burned before the popcorn had popped. I made a half recipe of yours and it turned out perfect. It is delicious!
Now if you can help me figure out how to make a “Skinny Pop” copycat popcorn recipe (not the sweet kind), I would really appreciate it. One site has you put melted butter in a spray bottle with a little hot water. Even trying two spray bottles, I couldn’t get the mixture to spray!
Thanks, Susan. I’m thrilled you enjoyed my recipe for kettle corn. It took me a long time to figure out the correct proportions.
If I figure out Skinny Pop buttered popcorn, I’ll share it for sure. I welcome the challenge!
My best,
Nancy
This is AWESOME!! trying to stave off another gall bladder attack, I thought I couldn’t eat this stuff without landing in the hospital. Also surrounded by hungry kids on Halloween night. You came to my rescue!! Fudged the measurements a little bit but came out perfect!!
Yay! I’m delighted to hear that you really enjoyed my version of kettle corn. Everyone in my family loves this too!
Thanks for your feedback, Dawn!
All the best,
Nancy