Best 3 Incredible Caramel Popcorn Recipes

Indulge in the irresistible charm of homemade caramel popcorn, a timeless classic that combines the sweet, buttery crunch of popcorn with the rich, decadent flavor of caramel. This delectable snack is perfect for movie nights, parties, or simply satisfying your sweet cravings. With a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, you can create this delightful treat in the comfort of your own kitchen.

This article presents a collection of mouthwatering caramel popcorn recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved confection. From the classic stovetop method to innovative variations using an air fryer or microwave, these recipes cater to different preferences and cooking styles. Explore the secrets of making the perfect caramel sauce, the art of coating popcorn evenly, and the techniques for achieving that perfect balance between sweetness and crunch.

Whether you prefer the rich, buttery flavor of traditional caramel popcorn or crave something more adventurous like a spicy or bacon-infused variation, this article has something for every palate. Discover the magic of adding mix-ins like nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to create a customized treat that tantalizes your taste buds.

With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and inspiring images, this comprehensive guide to caramel popcorn will transform you into a master of this sweet and savory snack. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your popcorn maker, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more with every bite.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CARAMEL POPCORN

Caramel Popcorn image

Great caramel popcorn for any holiday or occasion. If you like chewy popcorn, bake less.

Provided by BS4U2C

Categories Desserts Candy Recipes Popcorn Candy Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 quarts popped popcorn

Steps:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place popcorn in a very large bowl.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.
Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 252.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32.8 g, Cholesterol 24.4 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 340 mg, Sugar 23.6 g

THE BEST EVER HOMEMADE CARAMEL POPCORN

The BEST EVER Homemade Caramel Popcorn image

Homemade caramel popcorn is soft, sweet, and absolutely delicious! A family favorite, this homemade popcorn is something you will definitely want to add to your weekly movie nights!

Provided by Alyssa Rivers

Categories Dessert Snack

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked popcorn kernels ((yields about 13 cups popped))
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup light karo syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

Pop your popcorn kernels in an air popper machine and pop into a large bowl. Set aside.
On medium-high heat in a medium saucepan, cook the brown sugar, butter, and Karo syrup. Allow coming to a boil. Add sweetened condensed milk.
Allow to softly boil for about 3-4 minutes until it gets to the softball stage. Be careful to not cook too long and allow it to burn.
Remove from heat and carefully stir in baking soda.
Pour the caramel over the popped popcorn. Mix with a wooden spoon to make sure that it can all be coated evenly. Enjoy!

LOW CARB (& SUGAR FREE!) CARAMEL POPCORN

Low Carb (& Sugar Free!) Caramel Popcorn image

This low carb & refined sugar free (!!) caramel popcorn is everything you would expect... and more! Lightly coated with a variation of my keto caramel, it results in a crisp, sweet and salty delight.

Provided by Paola van der Hulst

Categories Dessert Snack

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

4-5 cups popped popcorn
56 g grass-fed butter (salted or unsalted*)
1/4-1/2 cup allulose (or xylitol**)
118 ml heavy whipping cream
1/4-3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste (I omit if using salted butter))
1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses (optional**)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

Get your popcorn ready! You can either buy a bag of (salted!) buttered popcorn or pop your own. One batch of caramel is enough for 4 to 5 cups, depending on how coated you like it. Transfer to a lined baking tray and set aside.
See video for how to whip up my keto caramel. The one difference will be that you'll be adding a touch of baking soda at the very end (for easier coating and a candy-like texture).
Add butter to a large dutch oven over medium/low heat and simmer, stirring every so often, until fully browned (about 5 minutes). (My top tip: I like to use salted butter for a salted caramel version!) Add in the sweetener, heavy cream and salt (leave out if using salted butter), stirring until fully combined. Add in the molasses (optional), and stir briefly until just combined.
Simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes (don't stir at all!), taste for seasoning.
Note: if your caramel splits (too high temperature is usually the culprit!), you might still be able to save it. Remove it from the heat, allow the mixture to cool down for about 5 minutes, bring it back on the stovetop over low heat, and gently whisk in a tablespoon of water until it comes back together (should happen almost instantly).
Mix in the baking soda into the caramel at the *very* end: it will bubble up rapidly (this is why we're using a larger dutch oven here), and immediately pour it over your prepared popcorn. Rapidly mix it for even coating with a spatula, sprinkle some flaky sea salt (optional, but highly suggested) and set aside to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 190 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 11 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 163 mg, Sugar 1 g, TransFat 1 g, Fiber 1.5 g, UnsaturatedFat 4 g

Tips:

Use fresh popcorn kernels. Older kernels will not pop as well and will result in a less fluffy popcorn.
Heat the oil until it is shimmering before adding the popcorn kernels. This will help to prevent the popcorn from burning.
Do not overcrowd the pot. If you add too many kernels, they will not have enough space to pop properly.
Shake the pot constantly while the popcorn is popping. This will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the popcorn from burning.
Once the popping slows down to a few seconds between pops, remove the pot from the heat. If you leave it on the heat for too long, the popcorn will start to burn.
Immediately pour the popcorn onto a large baking sheet or piece of parchment paper. This will help to stop the popping and prevent the popcorn from becoming tough.
Sprinkle the popcorn with salt, sugar, or other seasonings while it is still warm. This will help the seasonings to stick to the popcorn.
Store the popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Conclusion:

Caramel popcorn is a delicious and easy-to-make snack that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a sweet and crunchy treat that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy snack, give caramel popcorn a try. You won't be disappointed!