Innovative farmer opening deep-fried popcorn market

File photo of popcorn corn. Andrew Bowman of Pilot Knob Farm near Oneida has developed a specialized fryer basket that allows restaurants to deep-fry popcorn using existing kitchen equipment. (Photo provided by Illinois Farm Bureau)

By HANNAH SPANGLER
FarmWeek

What started as a kitchen experiment on a Knox County farm has grown into a deep-frying method that could bring popcorn to restaurant menus, and open fresh opportunities for specialty crop growers.
Andrew Bowman of Pilot Knob Farm near Oneida has developed a specialized fryer basket that allows restaurants to deep-fry popcorn using existing kitchen equipment. The innovation could create a new market for his family-grown, hull-less red and blue popcorn.
“We’re very excited for this,” Bowman said. “It will be a novel way for people to experience our no-toothpicks-required popcorn.”
The concept addresses a common challenge for small-scale food producers: breaking into crowded grocery store shelves. Despite strong feedback on taste and quality, Bowman said it’s been difficult to scale retail sales due to the sheer number of products grocery buyers manage.
That challenge led Bowman to explore new markets where his popcorn could stand out.
The idea came from a viral video his son found online. After testing the concept in a small fryer, Bowman realized deep-fried popcorn could offer restaurants a unique, quick-cooking side that fits easily into existing kitchen routines.
“Can you imagine having a nice bowl of popcorn to go with some cheese curds at Culver’s, or a nice sandwich or a steak at Texas Roadhouse?” Bowman told RFD Radio Network’s DeLoss Jahnke.
The key is a custom-designed fryer basket made from food-grade perforated stainless steel. It allows popcorn to be cooked in a standard deep fryer, right alongside fries or onion rings. While the basket is more complex and costly than typical fryer equipment, Bowman said the goal isn’t to sell hardware.
“We’re not equipment salesmen. We’re farmers,” he said. “We want people to enjoy the bounty from our family farm.”
Instead, Pilot Knob Farm plans to provide the baskets at little or no cost to restaurants that agree to source their popcorn exclusively from the farm. It’s a model designed to build long-term relationships and open a new sales channel for a product that’s already proven popular with consumers.
Bowman is offering a pilot program for restaurants interested in trying the product. Participating establishments will receive free popcorn and temporary use of the custom fryer basket with no upfront cost.
The goal is to fine-tune both the equipment and the process before scaling up. Bowman said he’s especially interested in working with Illinois-based restaurants and food entrepreneurs who value local sourcing and are open to offering something new on their menus.
“It’s a phenomenal product. It tastes amazing,” Bowman said. “Now we just have to execute on it, and that part is going to require feedback.”
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