Coconut Kettle Corn

I don’t recall any memories of having Kettle Corn as a child. Though I distinctly remember my introduction as an adult! We have loved spending time at our local zoo over the years. Anyone with children knows it’s a highlight and one that tends to be visited often especially when kids are younger. Our zoo does some fun, festive events around the holidays and one of our favorites is ‘Zoo Lights’ where the zoo is transformed with magical lights to celebrate the holiday season. There are whimsical animal outlines made with lights and extravagant displays that make everyone feel the spirit and excitement of the season.

The first time we went it was blustery cold, as you’d expect in December. We were bundled thickly with down parkas, fur-lined boots, and mittens yet the sting of the wind still had our teeth chattering. We came upon a wooden shack, dimly lit, outside of which kettle corn was being prepared in massive batches. The familiar smell of cooking sugar hung in the air and like the cartoons of a hungry guy following his nose floating blissfully through the air toward a delicious morsel, we were magnetized to the Kettle Corn booth.

The slightly sweet popcorn was the perfect snack. Warm from the popper, crunchy, salty and sweet; it tasted like perfection. For some reason I’ve continued to have Kettle Corn only at events such as Zoo Lights until about a month ago when it struck me I could make it at home! I whipped up an exotically flavored batch in honor of the movie The Hundred Foot Journey (Cardamom-Herbes de Provence Kettle Corn) and immediately had an idea for another flavor:  Coconut Kettle Corn.

Coconut everything is all the rage in the food world today. Coconut water is touted as a natural solution for rehydrating after activity. Coconut Oil is coveted for cooking, body care products and for medicinal uses. And Coconut Palm Sugar can be found rubbing shoulders with the standard granulated sugar and brown sugars in the baking aisle. It seemed a perfect time to give them a whirl with kettle corn. The result is a light coconut flavor that is very natural and not overwhelming in the least. My advice? Consume quickly if sharing with others!

Try these soft chewy Popcorn Balls too!

Coconut Kettle Corn

Kettle corn feels like a special occasion and no one will know how effortless it is to make at home! Using coconut oil, sugar and grated coconut gives this kettle corn a light taste of coconut once it has cooled. It tastes very natural and not overly 'coconutty'! Note about using Coconut Oil. It is an oil that should be used over medium heat. When used with high heat it will begin to smoke.

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Course: snack mix

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 Aproximately 16 cups of Kettle Corn

Calories: 170kcal

Author: Toni Dash

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Ingredients

• ▢ ¼ cup Coconut Palm Sugar
• ▢ 1/3 finely grated Coconut , unsweetened
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ▢ ¼ cup Virgin Coconut Oil
• ▢ ½ cup Popping Corn

Instructions

• Prepare a cooling space by laying parchment paper or wax paper on a counter top to spread the kettle corn.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the coconut sugar, dried coconut and salt. Mix well to combine.
• Preferred Method: Using a Whirly Pop Popcorn Popper, add the oil and 3-4 kernels of popping corn over medium heat.
• When test kernels have popped, add the ½ cup of popping corn to the popper. Pour the coconut-sugar mixture over the kernels, close the top and begin cranking the handle immediately. Within a few minutes the kernels will begin to pop and fill the popper.
• Remove the popper from the heat, carefully pour the kettle corn from the popper onto the parchment paper. Spread to a single layer for cooling.

Notes

Alternative Method: a heavy pot with lid can also be used to make the kettle corn. It is important to continue stirring the corn while it is popping with the lid held slightly ajar. Take precautions to ensure not getting burned from the hot kernels popping.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 6g | Iron: 0.1mg

Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!