Patriotic Popcorn

I’m not super fancy when it comes to holidays, but today’s recipe is super fun and so EASY to make! The kids had such a great time watching me make this Patriotic Popcorn. It’s basically kettle corn with food coloring.

The food coloring sticks to the corn as it splatters and pops. It’s especially fun to watch if you have a clear lid on your pot (like I do).

This Patriotic Popcorn is great for Memorial Day and the 4th of July. It’s so fun to have colored popcorn! The kids just go ga-ga over the bright colors.

My kids love popcorn anyway, but they really enjoyed eating the “red ones or blue ones.” I used the wilton gel colors I had on hand, so I understand that my sky blue popcorn isn’t very close to the navy blue on the American flag, but you do what you gotta do.

 Patriotic Popcorn

If you have a darker blue, feel free to use that. This is a fun snack to bring to any party. Switch up the colors depending on your preferences and have fun with it!

Patriotic Popcorn

Patriotic Popcorn

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
  • 3 to 4 Tbsp white sugar
  • Approximately 1/8 tsp gel food coloring (Wilton or Americolor)
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a 5qt pot that has a lid, heat the oil on medium-high heat until hot.
  2. Add the sugar, food coloring, and popcorn kernels. Give it a quick stir with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon and place the lid on the pot. Wait until the kernels start to pop and then, using hot pads, shake the pot vigorously, back and forth, until most of the kernels are popped. If you leave it on too long, the sugar will burn.
  3. Remove kettle corn from heat, and pour the popcorn into a large heat-proof bowl. Add salt while it's still hot until desired saltiness.
  4. Wash out the pot, dry it well, and repeat the process for the other colors.

Notes

*No food coloring needed for white popcorn. Each batch makes about 5 cups of popped corn (more or less).

Recipe lightly altered/re-written from Food Pusher

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Recipe added 9/10/15. Also seen on Oh Sweet Basil.