Name: No-Bake Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 8 cups kettle corn; 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips; 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 2 tbls. sugar; 1/2 cup corn syrup, light; 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk; 5 tbls. butter; 2 tsp. vanilla; 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips; Maldon Sea Salt (optional)

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When you go to fairs or festivals do you ever buy a bag of kettle corn? I mean the really big bag. For some reason, I think for $2.00 more that really big bag is worth it. But I have realized you can just keep eating and eating that kettle corn and the bag is still full. Am I right? I have the solution for all that popcorn and it is these delicious No-Bake Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Bars.

First Published: July 6, 2012… Last Updated: Oct. 23, 2019

Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Bar

For years, my friends have been selling their “Original Kettle Korn” at our local market. you know they are there from the trail of popcorn down the street. Rarely does a bag of their kettle corn make it home without someone getting into it right away. After all, who can resist a sweet and salty crunchy snack? Of course, I always stop by for a free sample, and before I know it they are filling up a humongous bag of fresh-made kettle corn for me.

Now if you find yourself with extra kettle corn these bars are super simple to make and are similar to Rice Krispie treats, a little chewy and gooey, but better.

But wait, it’s in the middle of the week and no one is making kettle corn, what to do? Just run to the store and grab a bag or even homemade kettle corn works great in this recipe.

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The ingredients for these easy No-Bake Kettle Corn Bars are pretty simple

Kettle Corn

Mini chocolate chips

Pecans

Brown sugar

White sugar

Corn syrup

Condensed milk

Butter

Vanilla

Semi-Sweet chocolate chips

Maldon Sea Salt

Not a fan of pecans or maybe you have some coconut you want to use, guess what, the recipe of these no-bake bars is totally flexible.

You can definitely change up ingredients – here are some other suggestions to mix into the kettle corn –

Toffee bits

Peanuts

Pretzels

Butterscotch chips

White chocolate chips

Peanut butter

Coconut

Or, and this would be awesome – add in spices

Cinnamon

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Cardamom

This list can go on and on which so many possibilities for yummy mix-ins.

How to make Kettle Corn Bars

Start by mixing the kettle corn with the pecans and chocolate chips

Steps to make the caramel sauce

Cook the caramel glaze by combining the sugars, corn syrup, condensed milk and butter in a saucepan. Stir constantly and bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and boil gently for 6 to 8 minutes until the caramel becomes a nice golden brown color and bubbly all over. Then add the vanilla and give a quick stir.

Making caramel sauce for kettle corn bars

Pour the caramel over the kettle corn mixture and stir to coat. I spray my spoon with cooking spray to keep it from sticking to the caramel. Make sure you use a super big bowl for mixing, otherwise, you will be picking up popcorn from your floor.

pouring carmamel on popcorn and stirring together

Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and pack it down with the back of your spoon really well so when you cut the bars the kettle corn sticks together. Now, let this pan of

yumminess cool.

It’s that time to add the finishing touches to these bars and make them over the top delicious. This final step just involves melting chocolate chips in the microwave then spreading over the cooled kettle corn.

Pouring chocolte on top of the kettle corn bars

After you spread chocolate on top of the kettle corn add a sprinkling of Maldon sea salt. This is totally optional but the salt adds just a bit of wonderful texture on top of the creamy chocolate and then that perfect salty taste that adds to the flavor of the chocolate, caramel and kettle corn. You can learn about Maldon Sea Salt here.

If you like you can purchase a box of Maldon Sea Salt here. This salt adds a distinctive flavor to your baked goods, savory dishes, and even cocktails.

Chocolate Caramel Kettle Corn Snack Bars

with a hint of salty

kettle corn bars topped with chocolate and sea salt

Once that creamy chocolate sets on top of the popcorn bars cut into squares and enjoy.

A great thing about these caramel and chocolate snack bars is they are gluten-free.

Favorite One Hot Oven recipes –

Browned Butter BlondiesBlondies are so simple to make and have a delicious caramel and butter flavor.

Baked Oatmeal with all the Fixins for breakfast or a snack.

Print Pin

5 from 11 votes

No-Bake Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Bars

These Kettle Corn Bars are covered in gooey caramel and topped with chocolate. A perfect way to use that left-over kettle corn.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Dessert

Keyword kettle corn, no bake bars

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

cool time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Servings

Calories 391kcal

Author Jere' @One Hot Oven

Equipment

13 x 9 sheet pan

Ingredients

8 cups kettle corn
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tbls. sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup, light
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
5 tbls. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Maldon Sea Salt optional

Instructions

Spray cooking spray in the bottom of a 13" x 9" pan
In a large bowl mix the kettle corn, pecans and mini chocolate chips
In a medium-sized saucepan mix the butter, sugars and sweetened condensed milk.
Stir constantly over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and boil gently for 6 to 8 minutes until the caramel becomes a nice golden brown color and bubbly all over.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Pour the caramel mixture over the kettle corn mixture with a wooden spoon that is sprayed with cooking spray.
Once the mixture is combined pour into the 13" x 9" pan. Spread the mixture out in the pan and pack down with the wooden spoon until it is compact.
Let cool.
Place the chocolate chips in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring each time until melted.
Immediately pour the chocolate on top of the kettle corn mixture in the pan, and sprinkle with the Maldon Sea Salt (optional)
After the chocolate has set up cut the bars into squares.
Store at room temperature in a covered container for three days

Notes

These bars can be cut directly in the pan or you can loosen the sides of the bars from the pan with a spatula and then pop the whole sheet out of the pan and place on a cutting board.

This recipe is very adaptable to other ingredients to mix in. Try these options:

Peanuts, Butterscotch chips, Pretzels, Toffee Bits, Peanut Butter

One Hot Oven provides approximate nutritional information as a courtesy and cannot guarantee the accuracy for any recipe on this blog.

Nutrition

Kettle Corn Bars with Sea Salt

The semi-sweet chocolate compliments the caramel, and the sea salt adds a zest to the bite, while the kettle corn gives a nice chewy texture.

Don’t forget to grab your supplies for making the snack bars.

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Enjoy!

Jere’