Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn has just the right crunch and chewiness that you want, without sticking to your teeth. It’s everything you hope for in the perfect caramel popcorn recipe!
I love everything about this easy homemade caramel popcorn recipe, especially that it only requires a few inexpensive ingredients that I usually have on hand. Have you tried Chicago Popcorn? It’s essentially cheddar popcorn mixed with caramel popcorn! I also love Peanut Butter Popcorn, and White Chocolate Popcorn with M&M’s.
Caramel Popcorn
I have noticed that a lot of caramel popcorn recipes out there just don’t have the right caramel to popcorn ratio. They’re either too sticky, or too hard. With a little trial and error, I believe I’ve created the Best Caramel Popcorn you can find!
The caramel is made on the stove, without the need of a candy thermometer. Then we drizzle the caramel all over the popcorn and bake it over low heat, stirring a few times, to allow the soft caramel to lightly coat all of the popcorn and bake until it’s the perfect texture and crunch. Now, who’s ready for movie night?
Ingredients in Caramel Popcorn:
- Popcorn– For a healthier version of Caramel Popcorn, pop your own popcorn without adding salt, sweeteners, or butter. For over the top amazing Caramel Popcorn, use movie theater style popcorn.
- Brown Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Baking Soda
Did you know you can pop your own popcorn kernels without a popcorn popping machine?
Add 1/4 cup popcorn kernels to brown paper lunch bags and fold the top closed. Microwave for a minute or two, until you hear the popping begin to slow.
Add melted butter and salt and shake the bag to coat the popcorn.
Why does my caramel corn get grainy?
Grainy caramel (or crystalized caramel) occurs when the sugar crystals in the caramel seize up or cling together. You can prevent this from happening by adding an acid (baking soda) which will cause the sugar molecules to break up, or by adding a different type of sugar along with the table sugar (sucrose).
This Caramel Popcorn recipe will not result in grainy caramel because we have added baking soda and corn syrup, both of which will help break up the brown sugar molecules and prevent them from crystalizing.
How to make caramel popcorn:
- Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt until smooth.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As soon as the caramel starts to gently boil, boil for 2 minutes stirring.
- Remove from the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla
- Immediately drizzle caramel over popcorn. Toss gently with a spatula until coated. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring the popcorn every 15 minutes.
Pro Tip: I use a large non-stick skillet to make the caramel sauce for the popcorn because it’s much less messy to clean afterwards, and it comes to a boil faster. I also use a silicon spatula to stir the caramel because it’s heat resistant and doesn’t get as messy as say, a wooden spoon would.
How to keep caramel popcorn fresh:
To keep your caramel corn fresh, be sure to store it in an air tight container or ziplock bag (making sure to press as much air out as you can). The better you seal your container, the longer it will last. You can store it at room temperature on your counter for up to 2-3 weeks. (Though at my house it’s all eaten in about 2-3 hours.)
Why add baking soda to the caramel?
You will notice that when you add the baking soda to the caramel mixture, the caramel will start to foam. This foam is basically carbon dioxide air bubbles that are the result of the chemical reaction between the brown sugar and the corn syrup. Essentially, the baking soda allows the caramel to have a softer, silky texture that sticks to the popcorn and keeps it from getting hard.
Check out my other DESSERT RECIPES! Some of my favorite snack-like desserts include:
- Gourmet Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Marshmallows
- Rocky Road Fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!
Caramel Popocorn
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn (about 1 microwaveable bag, or 1/4 cup kernels)
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 6 Tablespoons light karo syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (heaping)
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
- Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper or tinfoil sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Add popcorn to pan in an even layer and place in the oven to warm
- Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt until smooth.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As soon as the caramel starts to gently boil, boil for 2 minutes, stirring.
- Remove from the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla.
- Immediately drizzle caramel over popcorn. Toss gently with a spatula until coated.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring the popcorn every 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
*I originally shared this recipe March 2015. Updated March 2019.
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Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
O M G – I didn’t know which one of these to ‘PIN’ first !!! I’m adding you to my list of bloggers who I wish WOULD ADOPT ME !! My mom used to make us caramel popcorn balls – and I’m planning to make this caramel popcorn with my grandchildren.
Lauren Allen says
Hahaha Thanks Celile 🙂 Hope your grandkids love it! <3
Jennifer Cusick says
Lauren I just heard about your blog from Cecilee Price Huish at the cousins shower for Mallory
Lauren Allen says
Aw fun! I’m sad I missed Mallory’s shower and seeing all you cute Price cousins 🙂 Happy you found my blog! Definitely let me know if you try anything! 🙂
Andrea says
I LOVE this recipe!
Janet Larson says
In your instructions you said you added baking powder. I’m thinking this is an error, as I know baking soda is the thing to use.
Lauren Allen says
I’m not seeing where I said baking powder…baking soda is what you use.
saurabh says
nice recipe
Lizzie Nelson says
Can’t wait to try this!
(I had to double check it’s baking soda, in the section where you talk about grainy caramel it says powder:)
Lauren Allen says
Yes, baking soda. Thanks for catching that typo!
Barbie says
All the stirring doesn’t guarantee it crystallizes?
Natalie Price says
So fun & super fun to do with my children!
Planning to make this for Halloween parties at school and popcorn balls for church.
I look like a pro-cook, even though I’m not!
Thanks, Lauren, for all of your awesome recipes!
Paul Jeselsohn says
Fun recipe. Great thing to do with leftover popcorn. I add nuts so it is more like the boxed version. That’s all we knew growing up in the 50’s and 60’s…