PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Desserts

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 5 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 12 cups

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on March 1, 2024

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This Caramel Popcorn is an easy, sweet and salty treat that everyone loves! Crispy and crunchy without being hard, no candy thermometer required!

PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2)

If you love this Caramel Popcorn, you’ll also enjoy this Caramel Puff Corn (and, hey! No messing with popcorn kernels) and my Grandma’s Candy Popcorn!

Table of Contents

  • Caramel Popcorn
  • How to pop popcorn without an air popper:
  • How to make Caramel Popcorn:
  • Tips for making the BEST Caramel Corn:
  • Variations on this Caramel Popcorn recipe:
  • How to store Caramel Popcorn:
  • Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn is one of my all time favorite snacks — we go through a ton of it.

Most nights, it’s a bag of microwave popcorn with some extra popcorn seasoning and that’s as fancy as it gets.

But if I make a batch of this Caramel Popcorn?

It never lasts long!

PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (3)

It is sweet and salty and crazy addictive — the perfect homemade gift for the holiday season or movie night snack any time of year!

There’s no air popper and no candy thermometer required, which means you can whip this up even if you don’t have any special equipment!

How to pop popcorn without an air popper:

Place ⅓ cup popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag.

Fold the very top of the bag over twice — just the very top inch or two, you want to leave lots of room for the kernels to expand!

Microwave on high for 1.5-2 minutes, until the popping has slowed considerably.

Dump into a bowl and sift through to remove any unpopped kernels.

⅓ popcorn kernels will make about 5 cups popped popcorn.

How to make Caramel Popcorn:

This is just an overview with extra helpful tips — see the full step by step recipe and video below!

  1. Preheat your oven so it is ready to dry your caramel popcorn. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, because I promise you won’t want to scrub the caramel off the pan afterwards!
  2. Pop popcorn and remove and unpopped kernels — this is important because we don’t want any chipped teeth!
  3. Cook your caramel over the stove, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  4. Add the baking soda and watch it go crazy! Keep on stirring until the foaming stops. Stir in the vanilla.
  5. Pour caramel over popped popcorn, and bake at a low temperature, stirring a few times, until dried.
PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (4)

Tips for making the BEST Caramel Corn:

There are a few extra tidbits of advice I wanted to add here, that came out of many, many rounds of testing.

I am picky when it comes to Caramel Popcorn — it can’t taste burnt, it has to have the right amount of salt, it can be too sticky, I don’t want it stuck in my teeth, and on and on.

I tested this recipe over and over again until it was PERFECT. And here are a few extra tips:

  • It’s okay if the caramel doesn’t cover all of the popcorn (and even looks a little sparse) when you first pour it on. Just stir it the best you can, and put it in the oven. The caramel will thin out again and when you stir it, it will become more evenly distributed.
  • I find it works better, when there is still some white of the popcorn showing after baking, so don’t stress perfect coverage. If there is too much caramel on the popcorn (I know, what?!), it is harder to eat and can actually be overly sweet. A little white showing allows for perfect balance.
  • The vanilla adds so much more flavor than you can imagine, so don’t skip it.
  • Don’t let it set up too much before you break it into pieces — 5 minutes or a little longer is enough, just so that it is cool enough to handle. If you wait too long, the caramel will set firm and you will have one big caramel popcorn rock, that will shatter into tiny pieces when you try to snap it.
PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (5)

Variations on this Caramel Popcorn recipe:

  • Add flavor extracts to your caramel — just stir them in after you have stirred in the baking soda! Vanilla, rum, coconut, almond, etc. would all be great.
  • Stir in cinnamon or other warm spices to the caramel just before pouring over the popcorn
  • Sprinkle caramel popcorn with flaked sea salt before baking for an extra salty hit
  • Add some mixed nuts or dried fruit to your popcorn on the baking sheet before adding your caramel for a Crunch ‘n’ Munch or Moose Munch vibe! Sweet, salty, crunchy and totally addicting.

How to store Caramel Popcorn:

This Caramel Popcorn can be store at room temperature in an air tight container for 2-3 weeks, but we prefer to eat it within a few days.

I do not recommend refrigerating or freezing caramel popcorn.

PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (6)

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Caramel Popcorn

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 5 votes

This Caramel Popcorn is an easy, sweet and salty treat that everyone loves! Crispy and crunchy without being hard, no candy thermometer required!

PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (8)

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Review

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Cuisine American

Course Dessert, Snack

Servings 12 cups

Calories 200cal

Ingredients

  • 12 cups popped popcorn (unseasoned) (see note above if you do not have an air popper)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

  • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (you want some overhang here!) and place popcorn on the pan.

  • In a large pan or pot (you want some extra room here, as the baking soda will cause the caramel to bubble!), melt brown sugar, butter and corn syrup over medium heat and bring to a boil.

  • Boil for 2 minutes (watch the clock!) and then stir in the baking soda. Whisk constantly until the bubbles die down, then remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.

  • Pour over popcorn on baking sheet, stirring until most of the popcorn is coated (it's okay if it's not perfect, you will continue to stir as it bakes).

  • Bake at 250 degrees F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. For chewier popcorn, bake a little less.

  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before breaking into chunks.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 200cal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 258IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Keywords caramel corn, caramel popcorn

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PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (9)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Read More

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Comments

  1. Anna says

    Best popcorn EVER! My whole family couldn’t get enough. I can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks Anna!

      Reply

  2. Cyd says

    Love caramel popcorn, but had never made it before. This was so good!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks Cyd!

      Reply

  3. Jennifer says

    Best popcorn!!!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply

  4. Betsy says

    So easy and delicious! Love this! Will have to make this for New Year’s and then the day after New Year’s..and Valentine’s…Easter…yummmmmmm

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Haha! It’s a hard one to beat!

      Reply

  5. Sam says

    This caramel popcorn was so easy to make and so delicious! The kids just loved it!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks Sam! I’m so glad!

      Reply

Leave A Reply

PERFECT Caramel Popcorn recipe [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

Why put an egg in pan when making caramel popcorn? ›

Even if you want to add candy or sauces, it doesn't require an egg. Still, some say the egg keeps the kernels from sticking together, while others say it's to keep wannabe chefs from adding too many kernels to the pan.

Why add baking soda to caramel popcorn? ›

The baking soda reacts with the acid in the recipe (i.e., brown sugar) to create an airier, more brittle texture that's not as sticky as the recipes without it. The charms of caramel corn finally made sense. Once coated, the popcorn goes into the oven for about half an hour.

Why is my caramel popcorn not crispy? ›

The longer you cook the syrup (the mixture of sugar and water the forms the base of the caramel sauce), the crunchier your popcorn will be. For very crunchy popcorn (my favorite!), stop cooking when you see the first wisps of smoke coming from the sugar mixture.

How do you make caramel popcorn crispy again? ›

He did follow the original oven method, though, which means reheating the popcorn at 250°F for 5 minutes. He took the once-soggy movie theater popcorn out of the air fryer, and it was perfectly crunchy again.

Why is caramel popcorn unhealthy? ›

While caramel-coated popcorn may be a tempting snack, its simple carbs and high sugar content can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia and other health problems.

Why is my homemade caramel popcorn soggy? ›

Give it some time to cool. If it's still tasting soggy after 1–2 hours of cooling at room temperature, you may have under-baked the caramel corn. 1 hour in the oven is usually plenty. Additionally, be sure to cook the caramel on the stove for long enough.

How to make caramel popcorn Martha Stewart? ›

In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss. Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes.

How to make popcorn at home taste like movie popcorn? ›

  1. Heat the Oil: Throw a couple tablespoons of coconut oil into your pot. Heat it on medium until it's completely melted.
  2. Add the Flavacol: Sprinkle in about half a teaspoon of Flavacol. This is the magic dust that gives it that signature taste. ...
  3. Pop the Kernels: Toss in half a cup of popcorn kernels.
Nov 4, 2021

Do you add sugar before or after popping popcorn? ›

Add 3-5 popcorn kernels and cover the pot with a lid. Wait and listen for the kernels to begin to pop. Once you hear a kernel pop, add remaining popcorn kernels in an even layer, add granulated sugar and sea salt and stir, and immediately re-cover with lid.

What are the disadvantages of caramel popcorn? ›

Caramel or Sticky Corn

Especially around the holidays, people sometimes like to put additional toppings on popcorn like caramel or other confections. The problem is that these substances adhere to teeth's chewing surfaces and are difficult to remove. They also contain sugar, which feeds bad bacteria in the mouth.

What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? ›

What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? Baking soda is basically what makes the caramel corn chewy with a little bit of crunch.

What's the difference between caramel popcorn and toffee popcorn? ›

Ingredient Differences

Toffee is a product of heating sugar or light corn syrup and butter at 300F. Therefore, it tastes like light buttery, and sugary candy. The sweet buttery taste balances well with the saltiness of the popcorn. On the other hand, caramel has dark corn syrup, milk or cream, and water.

Should I refrigerate caramel popcorn? ›

Refrigeration is not suggested. Ingredients: Popped corn, corn syrup, sugar, brown sugar, butter, invert sugar, water, salt, baking soda.

How do I make my popcorn very crunchy? ›

In general, 3 tablespoons of oil for 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels tends to be a good ratio to keep your popcorn from getting too chewy.

Why does the egg in corn syrup change shape? ›

It has a lower concentration of water (25% water) than the egg (90% water). To reach equilibrium, osmosis causes the water molecules to move out of the egg and into the corn syrup until both solutions have the same concentration of water. The outward movement of water causes the egg to shrivel.

How do you make caramel without ruining a pan? ›

Caramel can ruin thin, cheap pans (like mine…), so use a heavy-duty pan. Preferably one that hasn't got a non-stick coating, because these coatings often can't take the high-heat required for caramel-making. If your recipe calls to add a liquid, such as cream, to the caramel, use a very large pan.

Why do eggs pop in the pan? ›

“The water inside the egg heats up rapidly, turning into steam, but this steam doesn't have an easy way to escape. If the pressure builds up too much, the egg will explode.” This pressure is exacerbated by the egg's structure since eggs have a thin membrane that seals liquid inside.

How do you keep caramel popcorn from going stale? ›

To keep your caramel corn fresh, be sure to store it in an airtight container or resealable 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.

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