Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe

A favorite food of snackers worldwide, popcorn was discovered thousands of years ago and has been loved ever since. And while people have been making popcorn for centuries, it's remained relatively unchanged. That being said, while the actual popcorn kernel hasn't changed much, the recipes it's used in have. What started as a buttery treat (or eaten with milk and sugar like cereal) has turned into an everyday snack featuring sweet and savory flavors. If you're looking for new and exciting ways to spice up your favorite afternoon snack, we're here to help. The next time you're craving something sweet, skip the candy bar and whip up a batch of homemade caramel popcorn instead. Better than any store-bought version available, this homemade caramel popcorn recipe will have everyone in the family running back for seconds.

Homemade Caramel Popcorn

homemade caraml popcorn To make popcorn that's both easy and delicious, follow the homemade caramel popcorn recipe below. The combination of buttery and caramel flavors creates a popcorn so good it won't last longer than a few days at your house. Just make sure you use the best oil for popcorn and follow the steps on how to cook popcorn on the stove. That being said, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container, and they'll remain crispy for up to two weeks!

Ingredients

Popcorn Caramel
  • 7 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
  • cup Corn Syrup
  • tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • tsp Baking Soda

Directions

Popcorn
  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add three kernels of popcorn and wait until they all pop.
  3. Remove the pot from heat and add remaining popcorn, shaking to spread the kernels evenly.
  4. Place pot back over heat and cover with lid, shaking frequently.
  5. Once the popcorn starts popping, shake the pot gently to ensure that all kernels receive heat.
  6. When the popping slows down, remove the pot from heat and transfer popcorn to a large bowl.
Caramel
  1. Preheat oven to 225F.
  2. Add butter to a saucepan and melt over medium heat.
  3. Add corn syrup, sugar and salt. Stir until just barely combined.
  4. Once the mixture begins to bubble, allow it to simmer for 4 minutes without stirring.
  5. Remove caramel mixture from heat and whisk in vanilla and baking soda. The caramel should start to foam and expand.
  6. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn.
  7. Toss popcorn to ensure an even coat.

Creating a Crisp

Follow the steps below to ensure that the caramel coating on your popcorn produces a thin crisp.
  1. Spread coated popcorn out across two baking trays lined with parchment.
  2. Bake popcorn for 45 minutes, stopping every 10 minutes to toss it.
  3. As the caramel re-melts, continue to toss the popcorn.
  4. After 45 minutes, remove popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool.
  5. Break pieces apart and serve.

Ways to Share Your Popcorn

Now that you've created a delicious popcorn with a thin, crispy coating of caramel on each piece, there's no doubt you'll want to share it with those you love. Because this caramel corn remains crispy for weeks, it's the perfect sweet treat to gift to family members and friends. Here are a few ways we enjoy sharing this popcorn.

Gift It

This caramel corn has a much longer shelf-life than most homemade popcorn recipes, making it the perfect snack to gift to those you love. So whether you're prepping for an upcoming holiday or want to let loved ones know you're thinking about them, gifting this popcorn is a great way to let people know you care.

Serve It as a Family Dessert

If you've noticed that everyone in your household has a bit of a sweet tooth, then this dessert is sure to be a hit. Made in large batches, it's the perfect treat to share with the entire family. Enjoy this caramel popcorn as a midday snack, or pass a bowl of it around after dinner.

Bring It to Potlucks

Again, because this popcorn can be made in large batches, it's an excellent option when preparing shared meals. The next time you're heading to a potluck or expecting guests, whip up a batch of this homemade caramel popcorn. A tasty and unique dessert, it allows people to take what they want instead of committing to an entire slice of cake.

Why We Love Making Homemade Caramel Popcorn

homemade popcorn Still not entirely convinced? Here are a few reasons why we enjoy making this caramel popcorn regularly.

It's Low Effort

Popcorn, in general, is a low-effort snack, and this treat isn't any different. Each batch of this popcorn yields 10 cups, and the recipe can be doubled or tripled based on your needs. If you're searching for a sweet dessert that will feed dozens and can be made in a short amount of time, then this is the recipe for you.

It's Gluten Free

Not sure if your guests have food allergies or dietary restrictions? Play it safe by creating gluten free recipes that everyone can enjoy. To ensure that this homemade caramel popcorn is entirely gluten free, choose certified gluten free ingredients like Bob's Red Mill Yellow Popcorn.

It's Loved by Everyone

One thing we love about this caramel popcorn is that everyone can appreciate a bite. Unique enough for an adult dinner party and sweet enough for kids to enjoy, this popcorn recipe is loved by all ages.

What Sets This Caramel Popcorn Recipe Apart

Aside from its excellent taste, a few other things make this caramel popcorn recipe special. Continue reading to discover why this recipe produces better results than most.

It Produces an Even Coat

Unlike other caramel popcorn recipes, this recipe utilizes baking soda to produce a more even caramel coating. When mixed, it causes the caramel to expand and foam, creating a light topping that makes it easier to coat the popped kernels. Additionally, as the popcorn is rebaked, the mixture re-melts, ensuring that every popcorn has a thin coat of caramel.

Glucose Acts as a 1-to-1 Substitute for Corn Syrup

If you're having trouble finding corn syrup or choosing to avoid it for health reasons, glucose can be used as a 1-to-1 substitute. If you're concerned that using glucose won't produce the same results, don't worry. Glucose acts in the same ways as corn syrup, creating a caramel popcorn that tastes, looks and crunches the same.

Additional Sweet Popcorn Recipes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn Now, if this homemade caramel corn opened your mind to the endless possibilities of dessert popcorn, we're right there with you. Which is why we've gathered up some of your favorite dessert popcorn recipes to help ensure that your sweet snacking days never end.

Maple Granola Caramel Popcorn

If you loved making homemade caramel popcorn, you're bound to enjoy this maple popcorn recipe. A fun way to add a bit of extra crunch to your favorite sweet popcorn recipe, we've combined our Maple Sea Salt Homestyle Granola with maple syrup and corn syrup to create a sweet and irresistible chewiness. This Maple Granola Caramel Popcorn has a fun popcorn texture that you won't find elsewhere and tastes like a mix between Cracker Jack and your favorite granola-filled parfait.

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

Turn your favorite breakfast treat into a tasty and portable snack by making this Cinnamon Bun Popcorn topping for your next bowl of popcorn. It is a mixture that embodies all of the sweet, spicy and warming flavors of cinnamon rolls and tastes great when combined with crispy popcorn. Enjoy it during your next movie night, or make it ahead of time to pack with you and snack on the go.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn

A snack that will satisfy both your sweet and salty cravings, make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn the next time you're craving a protein-filled treat. Made with a combination of peanut butter, cocoa powder and Bob's Red Mill Almond Protein Powder, it's a snack that's loaded with rich flavors that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. After reading this article, we hope that you're inspired to make a big bowl of homemade caramel popcorn. Whether you choose to snack on this recipe yourself or make a large batch to share with friends, it is sure to be a memorable experience. And remember, the best part of making recipes at home is that they are entirely customizable. So get creative in the kitchen and add or swap ingredients as you see fit to make this snack your own. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we hope you have a sweet and satisfying day! Do you make homemade popcorn regularly? We'd love to hear about the ingredients you add to your popcorn recipes to create unique flavors. Share your favorite sweet and savory popcorn recipes with us in the comments below. We can't wait to hear from you.
Bob's Red Mill
March 28 2022

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