Maple kettle corn is a delectable snack that combines the sweet, rich flavor of maple syrup with the satisfying crunch of kettle-cooked popcorn. This treat is created by drizzling pure maple syrup over hot, popped corn kernels while they are still in the pot, resulting in a delightful blend of sweet and salty flavors. The maple syrup adds a unique flavor that complements the classic kettle corn taste, making it a favorite among those who crave a sweet and savory snack.
What Is Maple Kettle Corn?
Kettle corn is popcorn's sweet and salty dance partner! It's like the cool cousin of your regular popcorn, made by tossing corn kernels into a kettle with sugar, salt, and a touch of magic. The result? A crunchy, slightly sweet, and totally addictive treat that's perfect for satisfying those snack cravings!
Now enter Maple Kettle Corn, where the sugar is replaced by maple syrup for that same salty and sweet combo with an extra layer in the flavor from dark, robust 100% maple syrup.
The best part is it's just as simple to make as regular, plain kettle corn, and this recipe will show you just how to do it.
Ingredient List For Maple Kettle Corn
Scroll down to the recipe card (or use the 'jump to recipe' button near the top of this post) for the full, detailed ingredient list and instructions!
If you go digging through your cabinets, you might find that you already possess the correct ingredients to whip up a batch of this salty-sweet snack. Here's what you'll need:
- Oil: canola or coconut oil are most often used, but you can use plain vegetable oil as well and expect similar results.
- Unpopped popcorn kernels: nothin' fancy here, just grab a container of any brand of loose, unpopped popcorn kernels from your favorite grocery store.
- 100% dark maple syrup: Dark maple syrup has a stronger and more robust flavor that'll come through in the kettle corn a little more, but light maple syrup will also work. I don't recommend using pancake syrup, as you won't have the same maple flavor.
- Salt. Use a finer salt grind to get better adherence and coverage.
Big fan of caramel corn? Try my copycat Cracker Jacks recipe!
Troubleshooting Tips for Common Problems
- Use a lightweight pan that's easy to lift and shake, since you'll need to keep the pan in almost constant movement during the popping process to prevent the popcorn from burning. You can also use a stovetop popcorn popper, though it's totally not required.
- Never walk away! This is not a fix it and forget it type of snack, and since it only takes a handful of minutes from start to finish, you'll want to keep a close eye (and ear) on the pan at all times.
- Wider, shallow pans work better. More surface area on the bottom of the pan will help with getting the syrup and salt evenly dispersed amongst the kernels.
- Is your maple kettle corn coming out chewy? Make sure the lid on your pan isn't too tightly fitted, trapping too much steam inside of the pot. Lids with vents, or keeping the lid slightly cracked, will help enough steam escape to keep your kettle corn crunchy.
Can I Prepare Kettle Corn Ahead Of Time?
Maple kettle corn is like the rockstar of popcorn—best enjoyed fresh, straight from the pot! That sweet-meets-salty combo dances on your taste buds in a symphony of flavor. Eating it right away ensures that perfect crunch with a touch of chewiness, while the warm, aromatic swirl of sugary goodness is an experience in itself. It's like a party in your mouth, and nobody wants a stale invite.
So, what's the big deal with making maple kettle corn too far in advance? The longer it sits, the more this crunchy snack will lose it's fresh crispness that makes it oh so delicious. This snack works best prepared in smaller batches and eaten immediately (so think movie nights and not Christmas gifts!)
Fun Variations for Maple Kettle Corn
This is a snack that doesn't need any extra fancy-ing up, but here are some ideas to jazz things up:
- Roasted or sugared pecans
- Crunchy bacon pieces (because maple and bacon are heavenly together!)
- Candy-coated chocolates (M&Ms or similar)
- Crunchy dehydrated apple chips
If you're a fan of Dollywood's Kettle Korn, you can find a copycat recipe in my book, The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook!
Print
Maple Kettle Corn
Maple kettle corn is a sweet and crunchy snack made by coating freshly popped corn with a rich and delicious maple syrup glaze, creating a delightful combination of sweet and salty.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- ¼ cup canola or coconut oil
- ⅓ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoons 100% dark maple syrup, warmed slightly
- Big pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large stainless steel pot, add oil and 3 kernels of popcorn. Cover the pot with a lid and place over medium-high heat.
- Listen carefully until all 3 kernels pop, then lift the lid and add the remaining kernels. Shake pot to coat kernels in oil, then let sit on the heat until the rest of the kernels start popping.
- When the kernels start popping vigorously, constantly shake the pot to prevent burning. After about 20 seconds, remove from heat and open the lid (be careful!) and quickly pour in the maple syrup.
- Replace lid and return to heat and shake constantly. Remaining kernels will continue to pop after the contents heat up again. When popping slows to once every few seconds, remove from heat.
- Pour popcorn onto wax or parchment paper and remove any burned bits or unpopped kernels. Serve while fresh.
Notes
Helpful Equipment
5QT Stainless Steel Pot With Clear Lid (easy for seeing the popping kernels)
Old-fashioned Unpopped Popcorn Kernels
Make sure that you do not add the maple syrup too early. If the oil isn't hot enough to retain heat and continue popping the kernels after it's added, the syrup can burn before the popcorn is popped.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe
- Calories: 297
- Sugar: 8.9g
- Sodium: 292mg
- Fat: 15.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9g
- Carbohydrates: 38.8g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Use Popcorn Salt For The Best Result. Trust me.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- I burned my popcorn, what happened? Make sure you don't add the maple syrup too early! If the oil isn't already hot enough to start popping the corn, the syrup will begin to burn (and make a mess of your pot) before it's all popped.
- Do I need to add any other toppings? You can add a drizzle/spray of melted butter to finished maple kettle corn, though it's tasty just as it is.
- Can I use a stovetop popcorn popper? Yes, you can. A stovetop popper is just a special pan with a metal piece on the inside to assist with stirring the kernels and oil. One like this would be ideal.
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