Homemade Kettle Corn
When I was in college, I worked nights at a restaurant as a server and bartender. I was lucky to have almost all weekends off. But a few times a year, an art festival would be in town for the weekend and bring crowds of people. I would volunteer to work lunch shifts during the art festivals because I knew I would make a ton of money. But those shifts were brutal! I would have a minimum of 12 tables at any given time. 12! On a normal shift I would have at most 5 or 6. Plus, there was no busser and no bartender. You had to bus your tables and make your drinks yourself.
If you’ve ever been a server, you probably just had a mini heart attack reading that.
For about 5 hours I would be at almost a dead sprint, trying to not appear to sweaty, balancing 5 different plates of food, running around making my drinks and clearing off my tables. Those shifts would wipe me out. It’s been years, but I still have nightmares about those days. Real, actual nightmares where I’ll have forgotten a tables appetizers and they’re yelling at me.
There were only 2 positive aspects to these shifts.
1. I would make almost $400 in a weekend.
2. At the art festival, there would always be a booth set up that was making and selling fresh kettle corn popcorn. At the end of my shift, I would walk across the street and buy the biggest bag of kettle corn they sold, and eat it for dinner.
Back then, when fresh kettle corn wasn’t readily available, and getting a bag of it at the end of the day made the whole shift worth it. But now, I’ve discovered the secret for delicious, homemade kettle corn I can make in my own kitchen. All you need is 4 ingredients and a big pot with a lid.
I love kettle corn. Actually, I LOVE kettle corn. Bold and in all caps. I love kettle corn so much, that if we’re going to see a movie I will beg Shawn to drive to the movie theater that is an extra 20 minutes away just because they sell kettle corn there. Nothing can beat that salty and sweet combination.
It’s actually a little dangerous that I know how to make kettle corn at home, because now at any given time I’m only 10 minutes away from a freshly made batch. I make it a ton. And after making it so many times, I’ve come up with a few tricks to make sure it turns out perfect, and clean up is a breeze.
Biggest tip is to drop in a few corn kernels to the oil as soon as you turn on the heat. As soon as those kernels pop, you know the oil is at the right temperature. Then it’s time to add all the kernels and the sugar. Shake the pan constantly, and as soon as the popping noises slow down, it’s time to take it off the heat.
To avoid a pain-in-the-butt clean up of all the caramelized sugar, use a non stick pot, and put a piece of parchment paper between the opening and the lid. Trust me, you’ll be thanking me big time when you’re not having to scrape all the sugar off the lid.
Homemade Kettle Corn
Ingredients
- 1/4 vegetable, canola or coconut oil
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 or 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Line your counter or a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is where you'll lay the popcorn to cool after it is done cooking. Also set aside a piece of parchment paper to fit between the opening of the pot and the lid. This will keep your lid clean while the popcorn is cooking for easy clean up.
- Add the oil to a large, non stick pot with a lid. Add in a few popcorn kernels, and turn the heat to medium high. As soon as the first kernels pop, you know the oil is hot enough.
- Add in the popcorn kernels and sugar. Put the lid on the pot, with a piece of parchment paper in between. Every 10 seconds, pick up the pot and shake it really hard for 3 seconds, then return it to the heat for another 10 seconds. Repeat this over and over until the popping noises slow. Remove the pot from the heat and pour the popcorn on the parchment paper. The whole cooking time is about 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle the warm popcorn with salt and allow to cool for a few minutes. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container or ziploc bag for several days.
70 Comments on “Homemade Kettle Corn”
I love kettle corn, but have never made it at home. It’s family movie night tonight and I think I’ll make it. :) I’ve never waited tables but it sounds nuts. 12 tables, thats insane.
You are giving me nightmaresh flash-backs from my many years of waiting tables! What a crazy hard job it is. It really is so, so hard. especially when you get “in the weeds” and have waay more tables then you can handle. But hey-the money is good. I’ve actually considered getting a waitressing job at night to help pay the bills, but my traumatizing memories hold me back!
This Kettle Corn on the other hand is a dream come true. I love popping my popcorn the old fashioned way but I’ve never tried doing kettle corn. Pinning!
I absolutely love kettle corn and those pictures are beautiful!!!!
I’m obsessed with kettle corn!!! It seems to be sold everywhere I go these days and I just can’t seem to buy enough of it! Being able to make it at home could be very dangerous, but I think I’ll risk it :) I have awful memories of bussing tables in high school, sometimes it would get so busy I would sit in the bathroom and eat crackers just to get a break! The tip money almost makes it worth it though!
Love your photos in this post, Natalie. You’ve captured the popcorn perfectly!
At least popcorn isn’t too unhealthy … well, sort of ;-)
Have a great weekend, Natalie!
I don’t eat a lot of popcorn but I LOVE kettle corn! It reminds of the farmers market since I always try to grab some fresh popped kettle corn at the market. I definitely need to make it at home.
12 tables?! Holy cow, that’s insane! Love that you posted a kettle corn recipe, it’s by far my favorite. Nothing beats the sweet and salty combination and now I can make it at home!
I’m gasping with amazement here Natalie. How on earth did you manage all those tables, that’s insane, but we through ourselves in with such energy for a few hundred dollars…… it was a fortune to me back then, so figuring the same goes for you too. Good thing you’ve found a way to reward yourself with kettle corn now without all that hard work.
Woah its that easy?! Seems too good to be true! I wish i read this earlier or i would have made it for dinner since jon was gone! I was a server in college too and i cant imagine bussing my own 12 tables and serving them, yikes! I was a cocktail waitress too and your art fair was my playoffs for any sport. It was insane but great money!
oh my gosh. yes please i’m making this asap.
Kettle corn is one of my absolute favorite things about the fair, and this recipe looks awesome! Totally craving some now. Wickedly!
My husband might come home soon to popcorn for supper thanks to you ;) I can’t resist the salty and sweetness of kettle corn either! Your clean up tip will be a lifesaver too!
I’ve never been a server Natalie but that sounds CRAZY!!!! 12 tables?? Man. You totally deserved that kettle corn. I think you still deserve it. Love your cute video!! You guys are so talented!!
You are right – the sweet & salty combination is addictive! Love this recipe, and thanks for the tip on how to have an easier clean up. :) Because as much as I accept that being a food blogger means I will always have a lot of dishes to do, that doesn’t mean I LOVE that part of the job. :) Pinned!
Kettle corn is my weakness, Natalie! It reminds me of staying overnight at my grandparents’ house when I was younger. My Grandpa always made the best popcorn! This version looks delicious! I’ll definitely have to try this out!
Oh my gosh. I actually did just have a heart attack reading that! However, you did make some pretty nice coin, I must say!
And I also LOVE kettle corn! I haven’t had it in years and kind of forgot it existed. There’s something so satisfying about making popcorn at home! This would be so good for the upcoming halloween festivities :) It totally says “fall” to me.
Who can resist a good kettle corn?! Not me. Looks fab!
Pinned.
Enjoy the beautiful day!
I LOVE kettle corn, too! They sell it at the Farmer’s Market here, and it’s such a treat! Never tried making it at home, though!
Oh yes! I love popcorn in the fall!! Especially a good kettle variety! I love your bowls, they are so unique! :)
Oh, gosh. I TOTALLY get crazy days at the restaurant. I was a waitress for a little bit and I can still remember those insane-busy shifts. They were the devil, but the tips weren’t half-bad! LOL.
And I love kettle corn! I’ve never tried homemade before, but this looks so good and SO stinking easy, I’m thinking a batch is in order! ;)