Spiced Autumn Kettle Corn

🕒 Prep: 2 min
🔥 Cook: 5 min
🍽 Serves: 8

Crisp, sweet, and perfectly spiced, this Spiced Autumn Kettle Corn is the perfect snack for cozy fall gatherings. With a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, it captures the essence of autumn in every crunchy bite.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick to make, ready in under 15 minutes.
  • Perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors.
  • Uses simple pantry staples — no special equipment needed.
  • A great crowd-pleaser for any fall event or movie night.

Ingredients

1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients Explained

Popcorn kernels are the heart of this recipe, providing the classic crunch we all love. The vegetable oil ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. Granulated sugar adds a subtle sweetness that caramelizes beautifully. Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg bring warming, cozy flavors that are quintessentially autumn. Finally, a touch of salt enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a large pot to give the popcorn space to pop without overflowing.
  • Keep the heat at medium to avoid burning the sugar and popcorn.
  • Shake the pot gently and regularly to ensure even cooking.
  • Adjust the spices to your taste; a little more cinnamon can be a delightful twist.

Detailed Instructions

Start by heating the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Drop in three popcorn kernels and put a lid on the pot. These are your test kernels. Once they pop, you’ll know the oil is hot enough.

Next, add the rest of the popcorn kernels and immediately pour in the granulated sugar. Stir quickly to get everything coated, then cover the pot again. Leave a small gap for steam to escape, which helps prevent soggy popcorn.

Shake the pot occasionally to keep the kernels from burning. Listen carefully — when the popping slows to about two seconds between pops, take the pot off the heat.

Sprinkle the hot popcorn with ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Shake or stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. Let it cool for a few minutes, and then dig in!

Simplified Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat, adding three popcorn kernels and covering the pot.
2. Once these kernels pop, add the remaining popcorn kernels and sugar, stirring quickly to coat.
3. Cover the pot, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and shake occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Once popping slows, remove the pot from heat and immediately sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir or shake to evenly distribute the spices.
5. Let the kettle corn cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This Spiced Autumn Kettle Corn makes for a fantastic snack during a cozy movie night in or as a treat at a fall party. Try pairing it with a warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte for the ultimate autumn experience. It also works well as a light dessert after a hearty fall meal, like roasted squash or a savory stew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of oil?
Yes, any neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola or grapeseed oil, will work well.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover kettle corn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is already vegan as it uses vegetable oil and no animal products.

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