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.
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
How to make Kettle Corn Bars
Steps to make the caramel sauce
Chocolate Caramel Kettle Corn Snack Bars
with a hint of salty
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.
No-Bake Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Bars
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
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.
These kettle corn bars look so delicious! These are the perfect blend of sweet and salty and I can’t wait to include them in my holiday gift-giving this year!
Great idea to give for gift giving.
I love kettle corn but have never had it in bar form! This will be so perfect for the holidays, and I love how easy this recipe is. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Amanda, these are easy and so unique. Everyone loves them.
This is absolutely delicious and I have added some nuts and reduced the sugar slightly – delicious and perfect for my kids’ after school snack. Perfect deliciousness 😉
I love the addition of nuts in the bars.
Love all of the options you give to make these bars. I am going to save this for the summer for when I don’t want to turn on my oven 🙂
These are perfect for the hot summer months.
I haven’t had rice krispie cakes in so long, and I love them, but these look even better!
We like these better too.
These kettle corn bars are a huge hit with my kids! I especially love the generous salt topping!
The salt adds so much flavor to these bars.
What a great dessert idea! I love that these are no bake too.
It’s always good to have some no-bake desserts when it’s too hot to bake.
What a fantastic way of using a lot of kettle corn! And I love the added crunch and flavor from the pecans. Delicious.
I’m a real pecan lover, they go in a lot of my desserts.
These kettle corn bars looks delicious! My kids will love this as a sweet treat this weekend.
Kids do love these bars and they are so customizable so you can add what you like best.
Yes, I always have left over kettle corn and this is a perfect way to finish up that bag. We made these kettle corn bars over the weekend and they were a hit. I love the simple recipe and the addition of all the chocolate. Making this again.
Those bars look so yummy I will have to try this! Love the pic of Judy and Lyle too – they are the nicest people!