Do you remember going to the state fair as a kid, or maybe last summer, and running straight for the kettle-corn stand?

Kettle Corn was always my favorite part about the state fair. Sure, I liked the rides, ferris wheel, and cotton candy, but the kettle corn is really the main reason I kept going back. Can you blame me? I mean, who can resist those delicious clumps of crunchy popcorn & sugar? Seriously, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

Well, like most good things in life, Kettle Corn has a definite downside. It’s loaded with sugar and packed with calories. In fact, just one serving has about 200 calories. And between you and me, I’m pretty sure the bag of kettle corn you get at the fair is more than one serving. (It’s probably closer to two or three!)

And making it yourself is no better. When I looked up a few recipes for this delicious treat, all I could find was sugar, hydrogenated oils, and trans fat. In other words: the three big no-nos in the health world. So, lo and behold, I decided to create my own.

Now, obviously using stevia instead of sugar is not going to create the same crunchy, caramel-like texture. But what it does do is create the most delectable, kettle-corn reminiscent taste imaginable. And by adding a pinch of sea salt, not only is it the perfect cure for any sweet tooth, but it’s the perfect snack for a salt or chip craving too!

In short, this kettle corn is completely guilt free & the perfect snack for any craving.

So why wait for the state fair, when you can make your favorite guilty snack guilt-free in your own kitchen?

Guilt-Free Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Recipe

• 1/3 c pop corn kernels
• 2 tbs coconut oil
• 2 tbs stevia
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt

Pour coconut oil in a deep pot and add one popcorn kernel. Put the lid on and heat over high heat until you hear the kernel pop. Pour in the remaining kernels and stevia and stir. Wearing oven mitts, shake over heat (about 1 inch over flame/burner) for 3 seconds, then hold over heat for three seconds. Repeat until popping stops to once every 5 seconds. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Toss in sea salt. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

Calories: 118

Fat: 8g

Carbs: 11g

Protein: 2g

(Yields 4 servings of 2 c each)