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Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn

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If you’re searching for the best caramel popcorn recipe, look no further! This easy homemade caramel popcorn is the perfect combination of buttery, sweet, and crunchy. Whether you’re making a quick movie night snack, a holiday treat, or packaging it up for homemade gifts, this classic caramel corn recipe is simple to make and tastes better than anything from the store.

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn: Perfect for parties, game day, or Halloween.  This caramel popcorn is the best!  If you’re afraid of making candy because you think it’s too hard, then worry no more, you just found the easiest candy recipe out there!  With simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry, you can have this melt-in-your-mouth buttery popcorn ready in no time.

How to Make Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn

No candy thermometer needed!  Just make your coating, toss, and let the oven do all the work.  With a buttery caramel flavor, you would swear you bought this at a candy store.  WARNING!!! This is addictive! 

This Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn is buttery, sweet, and perfectly crunchy, just like the kind from old-fashioned candy shops! Made with simple pantry ingredients, this quick caramel corn recipe is perfect for gifting, movie nights, parties, or anytime you’re craving a sweet and salty treat. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing favorite you’ll want to make again and again!

EASY HOMEMADE CARAMEL POPCORN INGREDIENTS LIST – full printable recipe below in recipe box

  • 15 cups of popped popcorn
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

DELICIOUS PARTY POPCORN INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat oven to 200°. Divide popcorn between 2 ungreased 9×13-inch baking pans.
  2. In a saucepan, heat sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around the edges.
  3. Continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda until foamy.
  5. Pour on the popcorn, stirring until it’s well coated.
  6. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
  7. Pour the mixture onto the counter lined with parchment paper to cool.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade caramel popcorn tastes just like the kind you find at old-fashioned candy shops, golden, crunchy, and full of rich buttery caramel flavor. It’s surprisingly simple to make, and you don’t need a candy thermometer or any fancy equipment. Just pop some popcorn, make a quick caramel sauce, and bake it to perfection. This is one of those easy candy recipes that everyone will ask you for after the first bite!

Pop Your Own Popcorn Without a Popcorn Machine

Add ¼ cup popcorn kernels to a brown paper lunch bag and fold the top closed. Microwave for a minute or two, until you hear the popping begin to slow. Add melted butter and salt. Shake the bag to coat the popcorn.

Why Does My Caramel Corn Get Grainy?

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn
Grainy caramel (or crystallized caramel) occurs when the sugar crystals in the caramel seize up or cling together. You can prevent this from happening by adding 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 ensures grainy caramel is avoided by incorporating baking soda and corn syrup, which help break down brown sugar molecules and prevent crystallization.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Caramel Popcorn

  • For salted caramel popcorn, sprinkle a bit of sea salt over the top right after baking.
  • Add mix-ins like roasted nuts, pretzels, or even a chocolate drizzle for extra flavor.
  • Store in an airtight container, it stays crisp for up to a week!

How to Keep Caramel Popcorn Fresh

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn
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.

Recipe Variations

One of the best things about homemade caramel popcorn is how easy it is to customize! With just a few simple tweaks, you can turn this classic recipe into something new for every occasion. Here are some of our favorite caramel popcorn variations to try:

1. Salted Caramel Popcorn

Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the caramel popcorn right after baking. The sweet and salty combination makes it irresistible, perfect for gifting or snacking.

2. Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Popcorn

Once the popcorn has cooled, drizzle it with melted dark, milk, or white chocolate. Let it set before breaking into clusters. This version looks beautiful, packaged for holiday treats or party favors.

3. Nutty Caramel Corn

Stir in a handful of roasted peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews before baking. The nuts add extra crunch and a rich, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the caramel coating.

4. Cinnamon Caramel Popcorn

Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the caramel mixture before pouring it over the popcorn. It gives the popcorn a warm, cozy flavor, perfect for fall or winter gatherings.

5. Candy Coated Caramel Popcorn

After baking, toss the cooled popcorn with colorful candy-coated chocolates, mini marshmallows, or crushed peppermint for a fun, festive twist.

6. Caramel Popcorn Snack Mix

Combine the cooled caramel corn with pretzels, cereal pieces, and nuts for an easy snack mix that’s great for game day, road trips, or party tables.

What Does Baking Soda Do in a Recipe?

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn
You will notice that when you add the baking soda to the caramel mixture, the caramel will start to foam.  This foam is essentially carbon dioxide air bubbles resulting from the chemical reaction between brown sugar and corn syrup.  Essentially, the baking soda gives the caramel a softer, silkier texture that adheres to the popcorn, preventing it from hardening.

Perfect for Gifting or Parties

This easy caramel popcorn recipe makes a great edible gift for holidays, birthdays, or party favors. Package it in clear treat bags tied with ribbon, or fill up festive tins for a cozy, homemade touch. It’s also perfect for family movie nights or game day snacks.

  1. CRACKER JACK ICE CREAM SUNDAE
  2. WAFFLE CONE FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS
  3. OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL APPLES
  4. OLD FASHIONED MARSHMALLOW-FILLED ICE CREAM CONES
  5. MASON JAR LID APPLE PIES
  6. STATE FAIR CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY WAFFLE POPS

FAQ-EASY HOMEMADE CARAMEL POPCORN

How do I keep caramel popcorn from getting sticky?

If your homemade caramel popcorn turns out sticky, it probably didn’t bake long enough. Baking helps dry out the caramel coating and gives it that perfect crunch. Make sure to stir every 15 minutes while it bakes, and allow it to cool completely before storing. Humidity can also make caramel popcorn sticky, so store it in an airtight container once it’s cooled.

How long does homemade caramel popcorn last?

Properly stored in an airtight container at room temperature, caramel popcorn stays fresh and crunchy for up to one week. If you’re gifting it, you can make it a few days ahead of time, just be sure to let it cool completely before sealing it.

Can I use microwave popcorn?

You can, but it’s best to use plain or lightly salted popcorn. Avoid heavily buttered or flavored microwave popcorn, as it can affect how the caramel coating sticks. Air-popped or stovetop-popped popcorn works best for this recipe.

Can I add nuts or mix-ins?

Absolutely! Try stirring in roasted peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews before baking for a nutty caramel corn variation. You can also toss in pretzels, candy-coated chocolates, or drizzle melted chocolate after it cools for a sweet and salty snack mix.

Do I need a candy thermometer?

No candy thermometer needed! This easy caramel popcorn recipe is foolproof. Cook the caramel mixture for about 4–5 minutes, or until it’s smooth and bubbling, before adding the baking soda and vanilla.

Can I make caramel popcorn ahead of time?

Yes, it’s a great make-ahead treat! Caramel popcorn holds its crunch for several days, making it perfect for parties, snack jars, or edible holiday gifts.

This Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn is the perfect mix of sweet, buttery, and crunchy, a simple treat that always brings smiles! Whether you’re gifting it for the holidays, sharing it at a party, or just enjoying it on movie night, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. If you try this caramel popcorn recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to share or pin this recipe so you can find it easily next time those sweet cravings hit.❤️Sheryl

Esy Homemade Caramel Popcorn

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn

Yield: Makes 15 Cups

Ingredients

  • 15 cups of popped popcorn
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 200°. Divide popcorn between 2 ungreased 9x13-inch baking pans.
  2. In a saucepan, heat sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around the edges.
  3. Continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda until foamy.
  5. Pour on the popcorn, stirring until it's well coated.
  6. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
  7. Pour the mixture onto the counter lined with parchment paper to cool.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment and rate the recipe card so others can enjoy the recipe too!♥

© Sheryl

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Comments

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn — 4 Comments

  2. I make this recipe once a year. I frequently make 4-6 batches at a time. I cut back on the cups of popcorn and substitute CHEX cereal for a different texture. When the mixture is baked/cooled, I drizzle melted dark chocolate wafers over all. THIS IS TRULY wonderful! I package this into holiday cellophane bags and give as gifts ….. teachers/neighbors …. something little that brings HUGE smiles!

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