Indulge in the irresistible sweet-and-salty charm of homemade Kettle Popcorn, a quick and delightful snack perfect for movie nights or casual gatherings. Featuring simple pantry staples like popcorn kernels, sugar, vegetable oil, and a dash of salt, this recipe packs big flavor with minimal effort. With just 15 minutes from start to finish, you'll master the art of creating perfectly coated, caramelized popcorn that bursts with a satisfying crunch. The secret lies in the gentle shaking motion that ensures even cooking and prevents sticking, while the combination of sweetness and saltiness keeps every handful utterly addictive. Serve fresh from the stovetop in a big bowl, and watch it disappearβthis crowd-pleaser is sure to become a household favorite!
Start by placing 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Ensure the pot has a lid that fits securely.
Add 2 or 3 individual popcorn kernels to the oil and cover the pot. This will help you know when the oil is hot enough.
Once the test kernels pop, add 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels and 1/4 cup of white granulated sugar to the pot.
Quickly stir the popcorn kernels and sugar together to coat them in the hot oil, and immediately cover the pot again.
Reduce the heat to medium-low to prevent the sugar from burning while allowing the popcorn to pop evenly.
Continue shaking the pot frequently using a back-and-forth motion. This helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
Keep the pot moving until the popping slows down significantly to about one pop every 2-3 seconds.
Turn off the heat and carefully remove the pot lid, keeping the opening away from your face to avoid steam burns.
Sprinkle the popcorn with 1/2 teaspoon of salt while it's still hot, and toss gently to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the kettle popcorn to a large bowl, allowing it to cool slightly before serving to enhance the crunch and flavor.
Calories |
836 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 54.7 g | 70% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.8 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 33.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1184 mg | 51% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 86.8 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 50.4 g | ||
| Protein | 6.0 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 6 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 166 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.