Name: Maple Syrup Kettle Corn
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 11 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/2 cup popcorn kernels; 1/3 cup filtered water; 1/3 cup maple syrup; 1/3 cup coconut oil; 1/3 cup vanilla-flavored grass-fed goat whey protein powder - OR - full-fat powdered milk

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This Maple Syrup Kettle Corn is not only refined-sugar-free but extra-delicious thanks to caramelized maple syrup and a special topping of protein powder. A perfect healthy kettle corn recipe that everyone is sure to love!

Table of Contents

A Brazilian Kettle Corn Recipe

This recipe for kettle corn with protein powder did not start with me. My dear friend, Marcia, spent hours making batch after batch of this delicious homemade kettle corn for my second son’s first birthday party. At the time, we were living in Brazil, which is famous for all sorts of savory dishes (mainly meat and bread). And this was my first (memorable) experience trying a Brazilian kettle corn recipe.

What makes Brazilian kettle corn unique? While not every recipe calls for this special ingredient, the best Brazilian kettle corn (in my opinion) is topped with powdered milk. As you eat, the powder sticks to your fingers…and so the treat lingers on as you finish the bowl and then lick the last of the sweetness off your hands.

How to Make Healthy Kettle Corn

I adapted my friend Marcia’s recipe to be healthier. For the refined sugar, I substituted maple syrup. In place of the powdered milk, a protein powder added extra nutrition and “staying power” to keep us feeling satisfied.

Protein Powder on Popcorn

While you can–of course–use any protein powder you prefer for this recipe, the ingredients call for grass-fed goat whey protein powder…and it is for a reason.

Dr. Mark Hyman was the first to highlight the benefits of goat whey protein (and cheese and milk, for that matter) to me.

Why is it considered great?

According to one source, goat whey…

…has an impressively high biological value, which makes it easier to digest and more readily absorbed by the body

…has extremely high levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), higher than any other unadulterated food source

…is considered a complete protein; it contains all necessary amino acids the body needs

And other sources agree, adding that goat whey can be a great option for people with traditional cases of lactose intolerance.

How to Make Kettle Corn without Refined Sugar

Some easy substitutes for refined sugar work well in recipes for homemade kettle corn:

Honey
Maple Syrup
Cane sugar

This recipe calls for maple syrup, which adds a unique flavor to the kettle corn.

I have found that–in most cases–a one-to-one ratio works well for substitution. (For example, if a kettle corn recipe lists half a cup of white sugar as an ingredient, then half a cup of maple syrup should result in a similar level of sweetness.)

The Best Kettle Corn Tool: The WhirlyPop

A final word on my top recommendation for this recipe…If you love kettle corn, make your cooking easier by investing in a simple kitchen tool: the Whirly Pop. This pan allows you to stir the popcorn while the lid is in place, making longer popcorn cooking times more bearable (and safe from splashes).

Find our favorite WhirlyPop-style pan here. This one, unlike others, is made of stainless steel rather than aluminum. (If you’re going to go to all the effort of making a healthier homemade kettle corn recipe, then cook it in something healthier too. 😉 )

Recipe for Homemade Kettle Corn with Maple Syrup

For this recipe, you will need these ingredients:

1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/3 cup filtered water
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup virgin coconut oil
1/3 cup grass-fed goat whey protein powder – or – full-fat powdered milk

Kettle Corn Cooking Instructions

Put water, maple syrup, coconut oil, and popcorn kernels in a large Dutch oven pan (with a lid) or a Whirly Pop pan.
Put an oven mitt and an apron on yourself, for safety.
Heat the pan over high heat, stirring constantly, until the popcorn begins to pop.
When the popcorn begins to pop, quickly put the lid on the pan (or close the pan of the Whirly Pop). As the popcorn pops, put on oven mitts and lift the pan to give it a shake about every 10 seconds. (This is where a Whirly Pop pan comes in especially handy because you can simply stir the pan while the lid is in place rather than lifting and shaking it.)
When the popping sound begins to slow to intervals of about 3 to 4 seconds, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
Pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Sprinkle the vanilla-flavored protein powder (or whole milk powder) on top and toss the popcorn until coated evenly.

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