Making homemade caramel popcorn is easier than you think! This sweet popcorn recipe shows you how to make the best sweet, salty, soft, crunchy, gourmet caramel corn!
I have personally spent too much time trying to come up with or find a way to make perfect caramel popcorn and finally, I am proud to share this perfectly sweet, salty, and crunchy version with you.
We consider this homemade caramel corn recipe because it has just the right amount of caramel on every kernel without being too sticky or so hard that you worry about breaking a tooth!
Love popcorn? Try making it into this marshmallow popcorn cake or white chocolate popcorn.
For more salty-sweet snacks, I think you love these candied pecans or some caramel Chex mix.
What is Caramel Corn?
Caramel corn, also called caramel popcorn or toffee popcorn in the UK is a type of sweet popcorn that's coated with a thin caramel mixture and baked in the oven until it hardens and turns crispy.
An early version of this crispy, salty snack was introduced at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It's available store-bought such as Cracker Jacks or Fiddle Faddle but I think the homemade is so much better!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Budget-friendly caramel popcorn. Don't spend ridiculous amounts of money on store-bought caramel popcorn any longer! Now you can make the same thing at home.
- No candy thermometer is involved. This is an easy recipe any level cook can master!
- Tried and tested recipe. So there's no need to be intimidated.
- Makes the house smell amazing while it is baking! And it tastes great too.
- It's totally irresistible and truly addictive. That's why I always make a double batch of fresh caramel popcorn.
Ingredients
I'm betting you might already have most of the ingredients required to make caramel corn already exist in your pantry! Let's take a look at the highlights!
- Popped popcorn: Use fresh popped or store-bought popcorn. When making at home you can make popcorn on the stove, in a popper, or even in the microwave.
- Brown sugar: Perfect for making a rich, more flavorful caramel sauce.
- Butter: Use salted, real butter for the best flavor.
- Clear corn syrup: This cooks up with brown sugar to sweeten the popcorn but also helps it get crispy.
- Vanilla extract: Added for flavor.
- Baking soda: Mixing this into the caramel sauce lightens the color and bit and makes the sauce expand.
How to Make Caramel Corn
- Measure out all of your ingredients and get out your equipment, including a timer.
- Prepare your large-rimmed baking sheet ready with a silpat liner or tinfoil coated in cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper with cooking spray but it's a bit messier.
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
TOP TIP: When working with caramel you need to work quickly and efficiently to avoid the caramel burning or hardening too early. It's essential to have everything ready before you start preparing anything.
- Use a large skillet or saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter melts, add the corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt, stirring frequently until everything is dissolved and blended.
- Keep stirring until the mixture starts to boil, around 10 minutes or so. Once it starts to boil set a timer for two minutes exactly and stir until your timer goes off.
- After the timer goes off, remove the mixture from the heat immediately and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
- At this point, your mixture will turn a light caramel color and expand. Keep stirring until the color is uniform and the texture is smooth, for a few more minutes.
- Pour the sticky, thick caramel all over your popcorn in your large bowl.
TOP TIP: If you want to mix in ingredients like peanuts, pecans, or pretzels, add about one cup to your popcorn before pouring the caramel overtop.
- Use a spoon or spatula to turn the popcorn gently while still moving quickly, until all of your popcorn is fully coated.
- Once each kernel is coated in caramel, pour it from your large bowl onto your prepared baking sheet and spread out popcorn as much as possible.
- Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, allowing the caramel to set and harden evenly. Stir your popcorn every 12 minutes, breaking up clumps as best you can, until done.
TOP TIP: Watch the video below for more clarity about what goes into making this easy caramel corn recipe. Get ready, this gourmet caramel popcorn is amazing and a truly special treat!
Variations
There are lots of ways to add some flair and extra flavor to homemade caramel popcorn. Here are some of my favorites.
- Nuts: Peanuts, pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios are a few of my favorites.
- Salted caramel: Add a sprinkling of coarse sea salt over the top of the popcorn right as it comes out of the oven.
- Funfetti: Add some colorful sprinkles after removing the tray of popcorn from the oven.
- Caramel chocolate popcorn: Drizzle melted chocolate over the popcorn after it's hardened just a bit.
- Almond joy: Drizzle with chocolate and add a sprinkle of coconut over the top of the hardened caramel popcorn.
- Candy: M&Ms of all kinds or sliced chocolate candy bars like Snickers, Kit Kat or Oh HenryReese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or Reese's Pieces.
How to Serve Caramel Corn
This is the perfect treat for everything from movie night to parties with friends or family, or as edible gifts.
- Big bowl: This is the easiest serving method, especially for large groups. Everyone can easily grab handfuls out of the bowl onto their plates or into their own smaller bowl.
- Individual bowls or bags: Fill up in advance with popcorn that's ready to eat.
- Perfect to give as an edible gift! After all, is there anything better? Alright, yes, there are lots of things that are better but wait until you see the smile on the receiver's face when this gift is opened!
How to Make Caramel Corn Gift Bags
Gourmet caramel popcorn makes one of the greatest edible gifts! The perfect, reasonably priced, or inexpensive addictive treat that's a great gift for neighbors, teachers, friends, and family!
- All you need is a paper cup, paper gift box, metal container or glass jar plus cellophane wrap and some ribbon to turn this into a gift.
- Pick up paper cups at the dollar store or another discount store with a seasonal pattern. Fill them up with a handful of easy caramel popcorn and cover them with cellophane tied with a ribbon.
- A personalized gift tag and your edible gift is ready to go!
How to Store
You can easily store this gourmet caramel popcorn at room temperature for up to five days, once it is cool and in an airtight container.
Do not refrigerate or store it uncovered as it will become a bit soggy or soft.
Equipment
- Use a silicone spoon, spatula, or whisk. This will save you precious time with cleanup. Silicone kitchen utensils are non-stick and perfect for a sticky recipe like this! If you use a wooden spoon to stir this mixture you may end up spending quite a bit of time cleaning it!
- Use a large, non-stick skillet or saucepan if possible. This will make cleaning up so much easier as the caramel will come right off. Make sure it's large enough so you have enough room for your caramel mixture once you add the baking soda and the mixture expands.
- Use a large tin foil pan to bake and toss your popcorn. Make sure to use one that is big enough to hold a turkey, sprayed lightly with cooking spray. This is cheap and disposable, meaning no cleanup at all.
Expert Tips
- Make a double batch because one batch just never seems to be enough and the popcorn will last for several days in an airtight container if there are any leftovers
- Remove unpopped kernels by pouring your popped popcorn on top of cooling racks. The unpopped kernels will fall right through the holes in the rack. Alternatively, you can spread your popcorn onto a rimmed baking sheet and pick through, removing unpopped kernels.
- Adjust your bake time depending on how chewy (slightly reduced) or crunchy (slightly increased) you want your popcorn.
- Gather all your ingredients and equipment before you start cooking anything. This way you avoid the caramel burning or hardening too quickly.
FAQs
For this recipe, I prefer using buttered, salted popcorn prepared in the microwave. This can be done with prepackaged microwave packets or making your own in a brown paper bag.
You can also use store-bought pre-popped popcorn, for a simpler method. If you don't have a microwave, you can also make popcorn on the stove. Really any type of popcorn works, just make sure it's fresh.
They are both sweet but caramel corn usually has a candy coating on it while kettle corn is sweet but without a coating.
Most likely you didn't cook it in the oven long enough. The longer it cooks the more the caramel coating hardens. Also, be sure to store it in a metal container to keep it crunchier for longer.
More Festive Desserts
The Best Caramel Popcorn Video
Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn
Equipment
- saucepan or skillet
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter or 2 sticks
- ½ cup corn syrup clear
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- First, measure out all of your ingredients, including the popped popcorn, and get out your equipment, including a timer.
- Prepare your large rimmed baking sheet with a silpat liner or tinfoil coated in cooking spray. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- In a large pot or skillet, over medium heat, melt butter.
- Once melted, add corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt, stirring frequently. Keep stirring until mixture starts to boil, around 10 minutes or so.
- As soon as mixture begins to boil set your timer for two minutes exactly and stir until your timer goes off. Remove mixture from heat immediately, and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Mixture will turn a light caramel color and expand as I mentioned. Keep stirring until the color is uniform and the texture is smooth.
- If you are adding anything to your popcorn like peanuts or pretzels, add it now.
- Pour caramel all over your popcorn in your large bowl, and turn gently until all of your popcorn is fully coated.
- Pour out onto your prepared baking sheet and spread out popcorn as much as possible.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring your popcorn every 12 minutes, breaking up any clumps as best you can, until done. I like to adjust the popcorn three times while baking for the best results!
- Allow dry popcorn to cool and continue to break up the pieces or clumps that remain stuck together.
Notes
- Make a double batch because one batch just never seems to be enough and the popcorn will last for several days in an airtight container if there are any leftovers
- Remove unpopped kernels by pouring your popped popcorn on top of cooling racks. The unpopped kernels will fall right through the holes in the rack. Alternatively, you can spread your popcorn onto a rimmed baking sheet and pick through, removing unpopped kernels.
- Adjust your bake time depending on how chewy (slightly reduced) or crunchy (slightly increased) you want your popcorn.
- Gather all your ingredients and equipment before you start cooking anything. This way you avoid the caramel burning or hardening too quickly.
Nutrition
This post was originally published January 2020. It has been updated for content and images.
Sara and Mike
I love this homemade caramel popcorn. I am going to make extra for the kiddies for movie night. They would love it for sure. So easy to make. I recommend making a double batch too. There just isn’t enough lol I suspect there will never be enough. This popcorn is so good.
Karin and Ken
Sounds like a great plan! I haven’t met anyone who didn’t love this popcorn. I wish I could eat it more than we do! Take care. Karin
Carol
This is my Second request for this information. Do you recommend using light or dark brown sugar in this recipe? A reply will be most appreciated! Thank you!
Karin and Ken
I apologize for my delay in responding. My husband hasn’t been well. Regardless use light brown sugar with this recipe for best results. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as we do! All the best. Karin
Kitty
What can I use instead of corn syrup?
I have creamed honey, but not sure what else could work or be similar enough… any suggestions (including amount that I should use) would be greatly appreciate! ^-^
Karin and Ken
I apologize because I have been in hospital and when that happens nothing gets done! I have never tried it but you can use equal amounts of honey, light molasses, agave nectar or brown rice syrup and be happy with the results. If you try it please let me know what you thought of the recipe. I would LOVE to hear! Take care and all the best. Karin
Lorna Radke
OMG. Only skinny people should eat this. BUT more economical than shopping the junk food aisle. For sure ... make a batch and share small portions in paper bags. My own advice... I will do this!
Karin and Ken
I’m sure you’ll be glad you did! I can’t wait to hear what you think! Hopefully you enjoy it as much as we do! All the best. Karin
Lorraine
Omg!! This recipe is delish!!
Thank you for ALL the helpful hints...made things sooo easy!!
I will cook it a little longer than 45minutes next time ...yumm❤
Karin and Ken
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! I love this popcorn way too much myself! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! Take care and be well. Karin
Corinne
Gave this recipe a try and it turned out great. This will be a standard for my Christmas repertoire from now on. Easy peasy recipe, no thermometer or cold water test needed. All the popcorn is thoroughly coated with delicious caramel. I used salted peanuts.
Karin and Ken
You made my day! Thank you for your kind words! So happy you enjoyed it! Glad you used peanuts as they are a great addition. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Dennis McGovern
I have been making this caramel corn for years. My daughter calls it "Grandpas crackcorn". It is very addictive. I also add about a cup of pecans to it.
Karin and Ken
Pecans are such a wonderful addition! Now every time I add pecans I will remember we are eating grandpa's crackcorn! Too funny and I can't thank you enough for sharing your story. I shall not forget it! All the best. Karin
Susan
Oh my goodness this was AMAZING!! best recipe I've ever tried. Turned out perfectly and between the kids, my husband, and I - it was gone in one sitting! Perfect amount. It felt like I was eating popcorn from a fancy popcorn store ! 🙂
Karin and Ken
You made my day! I’m so glad you all loved this recipe! I can’t get enough of it myself! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let me know! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! Take care and all the best! Karin
Karin
Instead of timing everything, can I use a candy thermometer? It seems easier that guessing with the time. If so, what temp? Thanks.
Karin and Ken
You gave me the best excuse ever to make a batch of this fabulous popcorn! After using a candy thermometer the ideal caramel temperature is 280 degrees! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time ask your question and I apologize for the delay in my response! Take care and enjoy this popcorn! It is delicious! All the best. Karin
Marg
Loved the portion size just perfect for my wife and I this popcorn is phenomenal and you can’t go wrong with this recipe It’s a keeper
Karin and Ken
Glad to hear you enjoyed it as much as we do! I love this recipe myself and am glad I’m not the only one! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Mandy
Yummy I had to make another batch because I ate most of the first batch myself waiting If was so good thank you for the recipe
Mark
This really is the best popcorn I have ever had Thank you
Karin and Ken
You are very welcome and I am so happy you liked this recipe too! Maybe you will find some other recipes on this site that you want to try as well. Enjoy your day! Karin
Willa
Amazing popcorn next time I’m making it with your chocolate popcorn too That will be even better Great recipes Thank you.
Karin and Ken
As always you are most welcome! That chocolate popcorn is amazing too with or without the cake mix! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Take care and be well. Karin
Marilee
How many servings does this make?
Karin and Ken
This recipe calls for 8 cups of popcorn. Depending on the age and appetite of the people eating it you are looking at serving 2-4 adults. The problem is this popcorn is so addictive we always end up eating too much!i usually make a double batch and it will easily serve 4 adults in an evening with my son grabbing a handful or two. Hope this helps! Take care and all the best. Karin
Laurel Adams
I let it sit for a while and it dried up perfectly. It is amazing! My husband just asked me if we could freeze it cause he's afraid we will eat it all! haha
Karin and Ken
Im so happy to hear that everything worked out after all! I love this recipe and make it all the time. Too often to be honest. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let me know! I just exhaled! There won’t be time to put it in the freezer! Lol Take care and enjoy your day! Karin