Overhead image of maple bacon kettle popcorn in a white bowl.

Crisp bacon tossed with maple syrup. Popcorn popped in the reserved bacon grease. Popcorn and maple-infused bacon mixed together.

Not for the faint of heart. Or New Year’s diets.

But wow, so worth it. I love all kinds of popcorn. Regular, old-fashioned popcorn. Kettle corn. Caramel-peanut popcorn. White cheddar popcorn. Spicy popcorn. Movie theater popcorn (one of the best things about seeing a movie in the theater!). Much like pepperoni pizza and chocolate, popcorn is one of those things that I could easily eat every single day. So finding new and delicious varieties is fun. And maple-bacon kettle popcorn is most definitely a new and delicious variety. If you liked the Brown Sugar-Bacon Buttermilk Waffles, I think you’ll be a fan of this popcorn!

The popcorn is fairly easy and can be finished in less than 30 minutes. Perfect to whip up for a movie night or your kid’s sleepover! Here’s how to do it…

Fry up 4 slices of bacon. I love frying bacon in my cast iron skillet. Always tastes amazing.

Bacon strips cooking in a skillet.

Once the bacon is done and removed from the pan, pour out the bacon grease.

Bacon grease in a glass measuring cup.

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If it’s not at least ¼ cup, add vegetable oil to get it to ¼ cup.

Cooking oil for popcorn in a glass measuring cup.

Add the grease/oil, popping corn, sugar and salt and pop away!

Collage of 3 images of popcorn kernels.

Meanwhile, chop up the bacon once it’s cool and toss it together with the maple syrup.

Cooked bacon strips with maple syrup on a white plate.

Pop, mix, and enjoy!

Maple bacon kettle popcorn in a white bowl.

Maple bacon kettle popcorn in a white bowl.

Maple-Bacon Kettle Popcorn

Yield: 4 to 6 adult snackers
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
The perfect snack for movie night
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Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and grease reserved
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ½ cup (82 g) corn kernels for popping
  • ¼ cup (56 ml) cooking oil, use the reserved bacon grease and add extra vegetable/canola/olive oil to make ¼ cup
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoon (1.5 teaspoon) salt

Instructions 

  • 1. Fry the bacon in a skillet until brown and crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cool, chop into small pieces and toss with the maple syrup.
  • 2. Measure out the reserved bacon grease into a measuring cup. If you don't have a ¼ cup, add vegetable, canola or olive oil to make ¼ cup total.
  • 3. Put the cooking grease/oil in a large pan and add the corn kernels. Sprinkle with the sugar and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Heat the stove to medium heat, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and wait until you hear the first couple of kernels pop.
  • 4. Once the popping begins, use two pot holders to hold lid on the pot and shake the pot, then return to the burner. Continue to do this often throughout the popping process, every minute or two. This will help ensure that the sugar doesn't burn.
  • 5. Once the popping is done, remove the lid and salt the popcorn with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Use a large spoon to stir the popcorn. Pour in the bacon and maple syrup mixture. Toss together and serve.
  • Note 1: If you've never made popcorn on the stovetop you may find this tutorial helpful: How to Make Perfect Homemade Popcorn.
  • Note 2: If you reaaallly love bacon, you will probably want to double the amount of bacon and maple syrup in this recipe. I plan to do that next time!
Calories: 340kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 1019mg, Potassium: 110mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 12g, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 0.7mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

Author: Michelle Lettrich
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American