Spicy Kettle Corn Recipes

KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, stir in the sugar and popcorn. Cover, and shake the pot constantly to keep the sugar from burning. Once the popping has slowed to once every 2 to 3 seconds, remove the pot from the heat and continue to shake for a few minutes until the popping has stopped. Pour into a large bowl, and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to break up large clumps.

GRILLED KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. (If using a charcoal grill, make sure that the coals are several inches below the grate.)
• Combine the popcorn, vegetable oil, sugar and fine salt in an 8- to 9-inch round disposable aluminum cake pan and stir to coat. Tear off two 18-inch-long sheets of heavy-duty foil. Crimp the end of one sheet around the rim of the pan on one side, then crimp the other end of the foil on the opposite side of the pan, leaving 5 to 6 inches of room above the kernels so they have room to pop. Rotate the pan 90 degrees and repeat to crimp the second sheet of foil onto the pan, perpendicular to the first, making sure that the entire edge is well sealed. The foil should create a dome over the top of the pan.
• Once the grill registers 350˚ F to 375˚ F, put the pan on the grill. Wait until you hear sizzling, about 2 minutes, then, using tongs, start shaking the pan frequently until the popcorn starts to pop, 3 to 5 minutes (it's important to keep the pan moving so the sugar doesn't burn before the kernels start to pop). Continue to cook, shaking almost constantly, until the popping subsides, 3 to 5 more minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let stand a few minutes. Carefully cut an X into the top of the foil and peel back the layers to expose the popcorn. Sprinkle with smoked sea salt. The popcorn will feel slightly sticky at first but will become crisp as it cools.

SWEET-AND-SPICY KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 teaspoon each paprika and salt, 1/4 teaspoon each ground coriander and white pepper and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a bowl. Make a bag of microwave popcorn. While it pops, cook 5 tablespoons sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until it melts and turns light brown. Remove from the heat; stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the caramel over the popcorn in a bowl, sprinkle with the spice mix and toss. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.

SPICED KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Have a hot pad or kitchen towel and a paper grocery bag or large baking sheet handy. Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or pan over medium heat. Place a couple of kernels of popcorn in the pan. When the kernels pop, proceed to the next step.
• Once the oil is hot enough, add the butter and stir quickly into the oil to prevent burning. Immediately add the popcorn and stir (the butter may not be completely melted). Add the sugar right away and stir again. Cover the pan, and start shaking it gently back and forth on the burner, using a hot pad or kitchen towel to protect your hands. Keep shaking as the popcorn pops.
• Once you start hearing 1 or 2 seconds of quiet between the pops, turn the heat off immediately. This means the popcorn is mostly popped. (Be careful not to overcook, as the popcorn can easily burn.) Pour the popcorn into the paper bag or onto the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, cinnamon, and cayenne. Allow to cool a few minutes before placing in a bowl. (Careful, the hot sugar makes the popcorn extremely hot!)

EASY SWEET AND SPICY KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Mix first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Make a bag of microwave popcorn. While it pops, cook 5 tablespoons sugar in a small sauce pan over medium heat until it melts and turns light brown. Remove from heat; stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the caramel over the popcorn in a bowl, sprinkle with the spice mix and toss to coat. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.

MAPLE-SPICED KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Heat a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add oil and 3 popcorn kernels; cover. Once they pop, add remaining popcorn kernels; cover, and shake pot. Cook until a few more kernels start to pop.
• Add confectioners' sugar, and cook, covered, shaking pot, until kernels stop popping, about 2 minutes. Add maple sugar, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 seconds, then stir to coat. Transfer to a bowl. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat.

SPICY CREAMED CORN

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Cook over medium heat until cream cheese is melted and mixture is blended, stirring often.

SWEET AND SPICY CAST IRON KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Preheat grill if using. Place a large cast iron skillet on grill with vegetable oil in it. Heat until almost smoking. Pour in remaining ingredients and cover skillet. Shake skillet gently while wearing an oven mitt, constantly while corn pops. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Don't let it go too long in between pops or the sugar and butter will burn. It's better to have some "old maids" than burnt popcorn.

SPICY KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• 1. Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Pour popcorn into a large bowl allowing plenty of room for tossing popcorn with sugar and spice mix.
• 2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add sugar and water, bring to a boil and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in ground cayenne pepper.
• 3. Remove from heat, mixture will be very hot. Pour half of mixture over popcorn and carefully toss with wooden spoons. Add remaining sugar and spice mixture and combine.