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This homemade Caramel Popcorn recipe is so flavorful and has the crunchy, chewy texture you want without sticking to your fingers or teeth!
If you want more sweet snacks, try our Peanut Butter Popcorn, Chex Mix, Sweet Chex Mix, or a perfect Rice Krispies Treat!
Not all Caramel Popcorn recipes are created equal.
I've had my fair share of caramel corn and for me, the best ones have a healthy coating of caramel covering the entire kearnal, and they're not too sticky, or too hard. This version accomplishes that and I love that the caramel is made in one pan on the stove and you don't even need a candy thermometer. Drizzle the caramel over fresh popped popcorn and bake it for a few minutes to get that perfect crunchy, chewy texture. This will be the highlight of your next movie night or game day!
How to make Caramel Popcorn:
Pop Popcorn: Pop your own plain kernels in the microwave in a brown paper bag, or with an air popper, or if you want a richer butter flavor, use a bag of movie theater microwave popcorn. After it's popped, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and pour the popcorn on top.
Make Caramel: Add butter to a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt, whisking until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it gently boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla.
Coat Popcorn: Drizzle caramel over popcorn, gently tossing it with a spatula until it's coated evenly. Bake 200°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Enjoy the best caramel corn for a movie night, game day, or really anytime!
Pro Tip: Don't forget a silicone spatula! It's heat resistant and stays cleaner then a wooden spoon. I love to use a large non-stick skillet for this recipe because it's so easy to clean and it comes to a boil much quicker than a saucepan.
More Caramel Recipes:
- Homemade Caramels
- Caramel Apples
- Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars
- Caramel Sauce
- Pumpkin Bars with Caramel Frosting
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
Caramel Popcorn
Equipment
- Popcorn Popper optional, you can use the microwave!
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn*, (about 1 large microwaveable bag, or ¼ 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
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Add popped popcorn and spread in an even layer.
- Caramel: 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 constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla
- Drizzle caramel over popcorn. Toss gently with a spatula until the popcorn is evenly coated.
- Bake at 200 degrees F for 45 minutes, stirring the popcorn every 15 minutes.
- Store caramel corn in an airtight container at room temperature for to 2-3 weeks
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe March 2015. Updated March 2019, September 2022 and September 2024.
Easy! Easy! Easy! I can not say it enough. Thank you so much for this EASY and delicious caramel popcorn recipe!
Just completed this recipe and love it. I’ve added peanuts to the popcorn while warming in the oven and the added flaked sea salt after caramel drizzle was completed in the oven for a bit more salty flavor. Very scrumptious indeed! Winner. Winner. Chicken dinner!
can you freeze it
I have never tried it, but I’ve read you can, in an airtight container.
i tried this recipe i like just a hint of of salt so i decresed salt down to 1/8 tsp and caramel was just right. thank you for the recipe.
Have to get the Butter and Brown sugar will be making this real soon cant wait prehaps Tomorrow .! #### CANT WAIT####
Baking Soda is also know as Sodium Bicarbonate, is alkaline, not acidic.
Thank you for mentioning that. It was driving me crazy reading baking soda as an acid when it’s a base.
Anyway, I just made this and it’s delicious! Thank you.
Can you make just the caramel sauce for gifts and let people make their own popcorn ?
I imagine that would work fine if they reheated it gently before pouring it over the popcorn.
DELICIOUS! OMG! Just enough sweet, not too much. Crunchy and chewy. Not enough stars to rate this…. Sooo yummy!
Amazingly easier than other Carmel popcorn recipes. Sweet enough but not overly done and not super sticky on the teeth. Have this one bookmarked!
Thanks Becky! I’m so happy that you liked it. Thank you for commenting!
I made this for a party and it was a HUGE HIT! Thanks.