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Let’s Get Old Fashioned: Homemade Kettle Corn Recipe

November 24, 2009 by Nicole 45 Comments

Kettle Corn Made with Ghee

I know that not many people make popcorn the old-fashioned way anymore, even Kettle Corn can be made in the microwave these days.  But please, please give this stove top kettle corn a try.  It’s easy, and it seriously blows the microwave stuff out of the water.  Trust me.  Make this popcorn.

I made a discovery a couple years ago that I really have been meaning to tell you about.  Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t write about this before now.  But here it is:  instead of popping your corn in oil, use clarified butter or ghee.  While regular butter would burn if you tried to use it for popping corn, ghee has a much higher smoke point and works perfectly as long as you pop the corn over medium heat and watch it closely.

I love making Indian food, so I almost always have a container of ghee stashed in the pantry.  But for those of you who are new to using it, ghee is easy to find at ethnic markets or on the shelves of well-stocked supermarkets.  It’s also easy to make at home. If made properly, ghee can be stored at room temperature just like cooking oils.  But if storing at room temperature, be sure to keep moisture out of the container and never dip into it with a wet spoon, as moisture will cause the ghee to spoil.

The ghee in this recipe adds a richness to the sweet and salty kettle corn that just can’t be replicated using oil.  You can substitute oil for the ghee in this recipe and still end up with some tasty kettle corn, but I hope you’ll give my version a try at least once.

Kettle Corn

1/4 cup ghee*
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/4 cup sugar
fine grain sea salt

Heat ghee over medium heat until melted.  Add three popcorn kernels, cover with a lid and wait and listen until all three kernels have popped.  Add the rest of the popcorn kernels, shake to distribute then sprinkle sugar evenly over the kernels.  Cover with lid and listen for popping.  As soon as the kernels start to pop, shake pot gently back and forth over the burner, lifting it up and shaking from time to time, until the popping slows to every 2 to 3 seconds.  As soon as the popping slows, remove pan from heat and immediately dump kernels into a large bowl.  Sprinkle lightly with salt and toss with a wooden spoon.  Taste, and add more salt if desired.  Serve immediately.

*you may substitute vegetable oil for ghee, if desired.

Yield: approximately 4 servings

Filed Under: Snacks, Vegetarian, Whole Grains

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandi says

    November 24, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    This sounds wonderful. I only recently found your site, but already I have a list of recipes to try!
    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    November 24, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    Why do you do just three kernels first?
    Reply
  3. Nicole says

    November 24, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Sarah: So you know when the oil/ghee is hot enough to pop the corn :-)
    Reply
  4. The Teacher Cooks says

    November 24, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Just made your pumpkin cheesecakes for my family get together. They were absolutely fabulous. I want to post them on my blog with a link to yours and write about how great your blog is.. I only took a photo of the end product. I loved using the mini pan too. .
    Reply
  5. Rebecca says

    November 24, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Yum! I can't wait to make this! i love kettle corn and love making popcorn on the stove!
    Reply
  6. Alyssa says

    November 24, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    This will be fun to try this holiday weekend! I hadn't thought to use ghee before and look forward to experimenting with it. I love making stovetop popcorn and discovered that olive oil also imparts a fantastic, rich flavor.
    Reply
  7. Frieda says

    November 24, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    I've made kettle corn before, but never with ghee. Can't wait to try this version for a comparison~
    Reply
  8. Heather Peskin says

    November 25, 2009 at 5:06 am

    This brings back wonderful memories - quite the best and simplest way of getting great popcorn.
    Reply
  9. Alta says

    November 25, 2009 at 7:23 am

    I think I haven't commented a lot lately - but this has me craving kettle corn like you would not believe. I think I'll make this tomorrow to tide the kids over until it's time for the big dinner!
    Reply
  10. Lemony Renee' says

    November 25, 2009 at 7:47 am

    I completely lost my taste for microwave popcorn when I was pregnant (10 years ago, now), so we make popcorn the old-fashioned way or no way. I'm definitely going to try your way with ghee. I may even make this kettle corn today since I have my urchins at home today with very little constructive use . . . the ghee will have to wait until next time, though, because I have pies, breads, and oh so many other things to create today. Thanks!
    Reply
  11. Shelley says

    November 25, 2009 at 8:50 am

    We love popcorn here -- so much better than the microwave version, which tastes like sand compared to the old-fashioned stove-popped kind. Your recipe for kettle corn sounds easy and do-able! Think we'll give it a try this afternoon when we're all pining for a little snack...
    Reply
  12. Amy says

    November 25, 2009 at 11:53 am

    We love homemade kettle corn. I will have to try it with the ghee. Thanks for the recipe!
    Reply
  13. Monique says

    November 27, 2009 at 7:21 am

    Looks and sounds great. Perhaps I am missing this but when do you add the sugar?
    Reply
  14. Monique says

    November 27, 2009 at 7:21 am

    Never mind, I do see it.
    Reply
  15. Kristen says

    November 27, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    This is going to sound so silly, but I make popcorn on the stovetop often, but have refrained from making kettle corn because I thought a regular pan wouldn't do... that I needed a kettle! lol Making this ASAP!
    Reply
  16. Claire says

    November 29, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    I love kettlecorn and have always wanted a good recipe to make it at home, thanks!
    Reply
  17. The Runaway Spoon says

    November 30, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Ah, memories! Old fashioned kettle corn at the fair. I have made many batches of Thanksgiving popcorn from my site in the last week. But I have never tried to make kettle corn, but now I know I will. It will probably make me crave pronto pups and funnel cakes!
    Reply
  18. Aimee says

    November 30, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Oh yum! Do you have a recipe for cheddar or caramel popcorn? I'm getting a craving now!
    Reply
  19. Jill says

    December 1, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Hi Nicole, I love popcorn...never tried making this way...it looks delish!
    Reply
  20. cheffresco says

    December 1, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    I used to eat kettle corn all the time in college - I need to try to make some homemade kind - looks yummy!
    Reply
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