Life has been changed forever.
Probably in a bad way, since my days will now be consumed by popcorn eating.
I’ve always loved popcorn.
Just ask the good folks at the Mayfair who always bare witness to an ecstatic Hilary running towards them as they give away gigantic bags of end-of-the-night popcorn. Ask anyone who goes to the fair with me. Ask Ariel who was nearly trampled to death at Bluesfest this year when I ran through the crowd in search of a popcorn seller.
Fact: I am investing in my health.
Lets look at the positives. Popcorn is better for you than chips. It’s also significantly cheaper. Okay, so I eat it in bed for breakfast sometimes, but really, doesn’t everyone?
…
But okay, if you aren’t currently a popcorn-in-bed eater, this recipe will convert you. I swiped this recipe off my friend and roommate Brittany who, if possible, would create an at-home version of every single snack food. Her blog is full of delicious, homemade concoctions. Go love it.
Anyways, the other night as Britt, Freya and I were settling in to watch Kill Bill, the former decided to whip up a batch of kettle corn. Even though Freya and I were sharing a large bowl (B separated hers to put nutritional yeast on it, typical), our popcorn was gone in an instant. Really, record-breaking time.
We needed to make more popcorn, and ran over to the corner store in desperation, searching for more corn kernels. They were closed, and we were left with only a half-sized, second serving. Probably wise.
Since that fateful night, uh, less than a week ago, I’ve made three more batches of the popcorn. It is sinfully delicious in every way.
Prepare to snack.
Recipe: Homemade kettle corn
– 1/4 cup vegetable oil
– 1/2 cup popping kernels
– 1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
– 1 tsp salt
In a large, non-stick skillet with lid, warm oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot enough (you will be able to tell by flicking water onto the pan – if it bubbles, then it’s ready), add the popcorn kernels, swishing the pan around the coat them in the oil.
Add the sugar and make sure the kernels are coated. This is what will give the popcorn its candy coating.
Put the lid on the pan and shake the pan often, increasing the frequency of the shaking when the popcorn starts to pop. This is very important as it prevents the kernels from burning.
Once it sounds like all the kernels have popped, remove the pan from heat and carefully open the lid.
Sprinkle the salt evenly over the popped corn and toss gently to coat.
Makes one big popcorn bowl (good for two ravenous snackers).
Hilary Makes 
your bowl says garrett. Teehee :-) . Keep eating your popcorn.
Of course it does…some weird gimmick bowl my parents got for youngest Duffling while in Chicago, I believe. The perfect photographic dish.
We love kettle corn. Can’t wait to make it at home!
Thanks for your comment Maria! Let me know how your kettle corn works out – it’s SO easy and delicious! :)
I love popcorn, and kettle corn even more! I had no idea that it could be so simple, and I could indulge at home!
Hi Jenn, thanks for your comment. I had no idea it was so simple either. Thank heavens for recipe sharing roommates, right? My only problem now is that I’m indulging TOO much, haha.
When do you add the salt? And is there a second addition of sugar after the popcorn is popped? I love kettle corn! Now it won’t be as expensive to have them more often.
Hi Dora,
I accidentally screwed up the recipe when I typed it out (thank heavens my friend let me know). You add the salt after the popcorn is popped. The recipe is updated now to say salt instead of sugar. Sorry about the confusion!
AAAH! this is so exciting. I’m glad that Freya gave me your blog address.
Kettle corn is one of my favourite snacks and absolutely impossible to find here in Switzerland.
Thanks!
Oooo, hi, Elisabeth. I just told Freya that you commented on my post and we got excited! I could eat kettle corn every minute of my life. As is, Freya and I have made it a few times and just stood in the kitchen eating it until it’s all gone (normally within five minutes). Glad I could share the recipe with you :)
The wonders of the internet :)
I’ve booked tomorrow as a lazy day. It probably should include some snacks as I’ll be making job offers (not very lazy, I know, but alas, necessary). I’ll let you know how it turns out.
In the meantime, take care of Freya for me, and make sure she shares the chocolate I sent her.
Because I haven’t had enough sweets today, and clearly I’m NOT planning on having any of the birthday cake I’ve spent 2 days making for my brother, I decided that today was the perfect day to try making this. I bow to your genius. This is perfect. I would just add making sure your pan will be able to handle the volume of popped corn to the instructions.
Have a great week!
OK, i ended up making plain old popped corn in my wok after work tonight, but it was your post that put the desire in my head– and it came out really good!
Thanks! :) One of the only foods I guiltlessly shovel into my mouth by the fistful, lol
11 comments. That must be a new record! The kettle corn was very yummy. Hmmmm, maybe a snack for tonight…….
I saw someone selling bags of kettle corn for $5 yesterday at an orchard. Highway robbery! Can’t wait to try this. Thanks.
Oh my goodness, maybe I should start a kettle corn selling business, haha! I hope you enjoy your own homemade version :) Thanks for your comment.
Thank you so much for this recipe…….I have been hunting for a simple recipe to offer grand daughters a quick after school snack…….Papa likes it too!
Thank you so much for this recipe. I am on a strict diet for Chronic Kidney disease, and I cannot have an ounce of salt. So I will make this omitting the salt. It is so hard to find any type of snack without salt in it. And I am not a rabbit so I’m not so fond of veggies for snacking.
I was shocked when I read that you eat popcorn in bed for breakfast. I would never do that…….never thought of it. I’ve only ever had popcorn in bed at night. Now I may have to give up Mr Noodle for breakfast, and stay in bed with popcorn. Life can be so sweet. Thanks for the recipe for kettle corn.
OMG!!! This is how I made popcorn most of my life, before microwave machines and hot air poppers and fancy schmancy storebought appliances hit the scene!! Actually, even after some of them hit… why spend money on a machine that doesn’t do half as good a job as the real thing????
I’m thinking of making it with coconut oil, and wonder if it will maybe even better….
You never said how much popcorn to put in the skillet. Will be looking for a reply on this.
Hi Marilyn. Thanks for your comment. It says 1/2 cup of popping kernels in the ingredient list. Hope this helps!
I pop my corn in the microwave in a special popper I’ve had since the 70’s. Instead of popping on the stove. I use half butter and half coconut oil to put on it, then I salt it a little less than normal. THen I sprinkle sugar on it. It takes less salt this way, and actually less sugar. Just another option….