Kid-Friendly

Sweet-and-Salty Popcorn with Mini Meringues

by:
July 10, 2019
5
1 Ratings
Photo by Amy Neunsinger
  • Prep time 25 minutes
  • Cook time 1 hour
  • Makes 18 cups
Author Notes

This addictive popcorn snack is actor and chef David Burtka's fun take on kettle corn. It's a little sweet and a little salty and perfect for kids and adults alike.

Recipe originally published in Life Is a Party: Deliciously Doable Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration by David Burtka. —Food52

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Sweet-and-Salty Popcorn with Mini Meringues
Ingredients
  • For the mini meringues
  • 2 large egg whites at room temperature
  • 1 pinch cream of tartar
  • 1 packet fine salt
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • For the popcorn
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2/3 cup popcorn kernels
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Kosher salt
Directions
  1. Make the mini meringues: Arrange two racks in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 200°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, using a whisk or handheld mixer, beat the egg whites and a pinch each of cream of tartar and salt until the egg whites are foamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to high (or really get your arm going) and gradually add the sugar while beating until the egg whites form stiff, glossy peaks, about 5 minutes more.
  3. Transfer the meringue to a small piping bag fitted with a 1⁄4-inch star tip. Pipe 3⁄4-inch mounds of meringue (about the size of a popped piece of popcorn) onto the prepared baking sheets (you should get 125 to 150 meringues total). Bake until they are completely dry and crisp, 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through the cooking time. Remove from the oven and set the baking sheets on a wire rack. Let the meringues cool completely. (The meringues can be cooled and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.)
  4. Make the popcorn: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the popcorn kernels and give them a good shake. Cook, stirring continuously, for 1 minute, then cover the pot with a lid; you should hear the kernels start popping after 30 seconds to 1 minute. Cook, shaking the pot often to prevent the kernels from burning, until the sound of the popping kernels slows down significantly, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the heat but keep the lid on until the popping stops completely.
  5. Remove the lid, drizzle in the butter, and season liberally with salt. Put the lid back on and give the pot a few good shakes so that the popcorn gets evenly coated with the butter and salt.
  6. Transfer the warm popcorn to a large bowl and gently toss with the cooled mini meringues. Serve within a few hours so the popcorn doesn’t get stale.

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1 Review

Maureen July 11, 2019
What is a packet of salt, please?