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A lot of people don’t realize how easy it is to make popcorn on the stove. I know I had no idea up until about 5 years ago. My popcorn-aholic friend mentioned that she always makes hers on the stove, so I tried it. I think it took me about two batches of regular salt and butter popcorn on the stove before it occurred to me that I could probably throw sugar on it and make my own kettle corn. Indeed, you can.
After about a year of making all of our popcorn stovetop, another friend of mine told me about the Whirley Pop. My husband, who also has a bit of a popcorn addiction, received our Whirley Pop as a Christmas gift, and let me tell you, movie nights have never been the same.
Basically, the Whirley Pop is a big, lightweight pot just for making popcorn. The hinged lid snaps on and is split in half, so you can open just half to pour out the popped popcorn. The most important feature is the crank handle that rotates a “stirrer” at the very bottom of the pot. This keeps the kernels moving through the oil, eliminates burning, and allows almost every kernel to be popped.
You can make this Kettle Corn with a Whirley Pop or you can use a large, heavy-bottomed pot. I’ll show you both ways. Here is the super simple recipe for Kettle Corn!
Kettle Corn Ingredients
2-3 T coconut oil
1/2 cup Orville Redenbacher popcorn kernels (I have not found a brand that comes close to popping as completely as this one)
1/4 cup sugar
sea salt to taste
To Make Kettle Corn in a Whirley Pop
kernels, sugar, and oil
Step 1: Put the oil, popcorn kernels, and sugar in the Whirley Pop. Snap the lid on securely, and start cranking over medium heat.
My lovely, very serious popcorn assistant
Step 2: After a couple minutes, the popping will begin and then quickly pick up. Continue stirring until you can’t turn the handle anymore, and the popping begins to slow down with about 2 seconds between pops.
Step 3: Remove from heat. Carefully shake about a quarter of the popcorn out into a glass or metal bowl, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and repeat with remaining popcorn. Serve and enjoy!
This is a sweet & salty snack that is perfect for kids or for a crowd!
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Ingredients
2-3 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/4 cup sugar
sea salt to taste
Instructions
Put the oil and a couple kernels in the pot and begin heat over medium heat with the lid on. Get your popcorn and sugar ready to add--you will need to do this quickly and get the lid back on.
Once those couple kernels pop, add the rest of the kernels and "jiggle" the pot so that they form an even layer on the bottom. Sprinkle the sugar over the top of the kernels and put the lid back on. (You do not want hot popcorn flying out at you!)
Once it starts popping, continuously jiggle and move the pot back and forth to keep the kernels moving around. Listen for the popping to slow to every 1-2 seconds, then remove from the heat.
Carefully pour out about a quarter of the popped corn into a glass or metal bowl and sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Repeat until all of the popcorn is lightly salted. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
To make this recipe, you should use a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid.
Who doesn’t love a sweet and salty snack like kettle corn? It’s so much fun (and inexpensive) to make your own!
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About Natalie Clausen
Natalie Clausen is a green living blogger, speech-language pathologist, and mother of five in Tucson, Arizona. When she's not working or shuttling her kids, you'll likely find her rocking out to Cage The Elephant or Pearl Jam as she concocts her next non-toxic DIY recipe.
Haha…I know what you mean! And my husband still says the Whirley Pop was one of the best Christmas gifts he ever got…he is seriously addicted to popcorn!
Yum! Now to figure out how much stevia or monkfuit to use so I can keep my keto on! (Yes, technically popcorn itself isn’t keto either, but it’s a better option than caving to the chip cravings!)
Loraine says
Will definitely try the kettle corn recipe
Natalie says
Let me know how you like it, Loraine!
Brandilyn Davidson says
This sounds so yummy! I’m a fellow popcorn-aholic!
Natalie says
I’m with you…we have it at least once a week!
Jessica says
I. Love. Kettle. Corn. This is a post I am excited about but probably didn’t need to see! #popcornaholichere
And I am not sure if I had heard of the Whirley Pop. That looks like fun!
Natalie says
Haha…I know what you mean! And my husband still says the Whirley Pop was one of the best Christmas gifts he ever got…he is seriously addicted to popcorn!
Blessed Mess says
Yum! Now to figure out how much stevia or monkfuit to use so I can keep my keto on! (Yes, technically popcorn itself isn’t keto either, but it’s a better option than caving to the chip cravings!)
Natalie says
Gosh, I wish I could help with that, but I have no idea. If you experiment, please share what you learn here!