June 28, 2022

Stovetop kettle corn

Large pile of stovetop kettle corn.
 
Make your own kettle corn at home with this simple stovetop recipe. This summer fair and carnival food favorite is perfect for summer movie snacking or sitting in the backyard on a summer evening.

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Kettle corn is something I always like to grab a big bag of when I'm at a summer time carnival or fair. It smells so good when they are cooking it up in the big kettle. Plus, I love the sweet and salty flavor combination.

Serving bowl of stovetop kettle corn. 
 
All you need to make this at home is a large heavy-bottom soup pot that has a lid, oil, popcorn kernels, sugar, and salt along with pot holders and a large stirring spoon. I have not made this in a cast iron pot, I use a regular soup/stock pot. 

Note that I have only made this popcorn on a gas stove, not an electric stove with a glass top. A glass top stove may not yield the same results, also take care to not scrape the heavy bottom pan across the glass top to keep the kernels moving.
 
We almost always make our popcorn in an air popper, but for this method it is made on the stovetop in a large pot (or kettle). We always keep popcorn kernels on hand for an easy and tasty snack.

When making kettle corn at home, you need to watch it carefully and keep the pot moving so that you don't burn the sugar and so that you don't burn the popcorn. Use your pot holders to hold the handles of your pot to keep it moving while the kernels are popping.

Serve this kettle corn for a summer movie night, a backyard gathering or campfire, or whenever you want a delicious sweet and salty snack. I like to eat it the day that it is made, but it will last for a couple of days in a sealed airtight container.

Close-up of popped stovetop kettle corn.

 
Yield: about 10 cups popped
Author: Amy (Savory Moments)
Stovetop Kettle Corn

Stovetop Kettle Corn

Make your own kettle corn at home with this simple stovetop recipe. This summer fair and carnival food favorite is perfect for summer movie snacking or sitting in the backyard on a summer evening.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy-bottom soup pot with a lid, warm the oil along with three or four popcorn kernels over medium heat with the lid on. Keep a potholder on your hand and give the pot a shake every once in a while (note we made this on a gas stove, if using electric/glass top, lift your pan when shaking to not scratch the top. Results may differ on an electric stove top).
  2. Once those kernels pop, stir in the sugar and 1/3 cup of popcorn.
  3. Return the lid to the pan and continue to give it a shake every 15 seconds or so to keep the sugar from burning.
  4. Once the popping stops, remove from the heat and add the salt. Give the popcorn a good stir and remove the popcorn from the pot with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula (the melted sugar will be very hot). Serve immediately.

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I hope you give this stovetop kettle corn recipe a try! Let me know in the comments below.

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Bowl of stovetop kettle corn.

This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated in 2022 with updated text, a recipe card, and more to improve reader experience.

Check out these other snack recipes:

Maple Pecan Caramel Corn

Turmeric & Honey Roasted Chick Peas

Oven Baked Zucchini Chips

Sweet & Spiced Glazed Mixed Nuts

34 comments:

  1. I love homemade popcorn, makes the house smell amazing!!! Thanks for your recipe, never thought to do a sweet/salty version before. :)

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  2. That looks delicious! The perfect movie watching treat. :)

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  3. YUM! I love kettle corn! Who knew it was so simple? I'll be trying this for some long 4th of July weekend snacking!

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  4. The perfect snack for just any occasion!

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  5. I used the same method to make amaranth.
    Love your sweet and salty popcorn!

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  6. What a great (healthier) snack than chips! Yum :)

    http://whiskandshout.com

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  7. This looks absolutely addictive!
    Looking at the pretty pictures I can nearly smell the wonderful aroma of freshly made popcorn.

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  8. Kettle corn is da bomb! I never tried to make it at home! This looks amazing!

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  9. I made popcorn so similar to this recently but used maple syrup. Love making my own popcorn!

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  10. I haven't had kettle corn in ages! And it's so good, isn't it? Terrific post -- thanks.

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  11. Wow! you make this sound so simple, love kettle corn. We used to sit outside at night and watch movies and eat popcorn, but nothinh like this. Thanks!

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  12. I never make popcorn anymore, because I don't stop eating till it's gone! But I might have to make an exception for your wonderful kettle corn :)

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  13. Homemade popcorn is quite addictive. My family consumes an obscene amount of popcorn... Yours look so good that I could eat the entire bowl and come for more. Hehe!

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  14. These look and sound absolutely amazing!
    Manuella

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  15. I love how kettle corn is a hint of sweet and salty. Great recipe!

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  16. I often make kettle corn but I'll bet yours is better. I'm going to try your method next.

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  17. My daughter and I have been watching lots of movies this summer and we always make popcorn. Next time I'm going to have to try adding sugar!

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  18. Love kettle corn. A bit salty, a lot sweet. Yum!

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  19. Amazing. I didn't know you could do that. Obviously when I think kettle corn I am visualizing BIG kettle corn.

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  20. I love stovetop kettle corn...this remind me of my childhood.
    Have a wonderful week Amy :D

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  21. MMMMM - popcorn is a favorite snack of ours and this version looks really yummy! Thanks!

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  22. The smell of kettlecorn is enough to slay me. Can't wait to try this!

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  23. Popcorn is always a go to around here when we want a late night snack. I will have to try this kettle corn version.

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  24. DANGEROUS!!!! I cannot be trusted with this in the house hehehe. PINNED

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  25. This is making me crave popcorn for dinner. And, since it's summer, that's totally possible! There's nothing better than snacks for dinner, right? - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck

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  26. I love making popcorn in a pot but never knew this trick for kettle corn. Most definitely making this.

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  27. I'm totally making this popcorn this week, yum!

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  28. I love kettle corn and never knew how to make it. This recipe will be a regular in my house.

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  29. Thank you for this! I love Kettle Corn, but a good corn is expensive. I'm going to try this.

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  30. Yum, yum, yum! Popcorn is a terrific snack, and it's been quite some time since I've made it on the stovetop. Neat post - thanks.

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  31. OMG I love kettle corn, especially homemade. This is dangerous!

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  32. Haven't had kettlecorn in forever, would be so much fun to make some with my niece!

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  33. I was very skeptical about making kettle corn on the stove. I used to love popcorn but after Covid my taste buds changed and I loathed it (I know, what?!). Kettle corn from the farmer’s market has been the only way for me to enjoy popcorn again, but at $13/bag, I’ve been less willing to buy. Well look out world, I can make this at home now because of this recipe!! It even has the quintessential crispy crunch that kettle corn lovers adore. I used a deep nonstick pan with glass lid for easier cleanup with a good old wooden spoon. Absolutely fantastic first go. So looking forward to making this a staple item at my house. Thank you!!!

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    Replies
    1. This is wonderful! Thank you so much for your kind feedback! I'm so glad.

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