Sit back and snack on everyone’s favorite sweet and crunchy treat with a recipe for Easy Homemade Caramel Corn.
My mom and grandmother declare every holiday as the perfect excuse to send me my favorite treat—a tri-colored assortment of butter, cheddar and caramel popcorn from my best buddies over at The Popcorn Factory.
Since I polished off my latest tin weeks ago, and the next holiday shipment is way too far away, this kernel-crazed aficionado has resorted to making her own.
Few foods are as satisfying to crunch into as homemade caramel corn. That sticky, chewy, crispy bite satisfies like no other sweet and salty snack.
With a 10-minute prep time, and endless mix-in options, going the DIY route is much easier than you might think!
Homemade caramel corn begins with freshly popped kernels that are then tossed in a quick-fix combination of butter and sugar. But to really achieve the classic caramel corn consistency, the coated kernels are then baked until slightly crispy.
Serve this sweet and salty treat in bowls or go the extra accessible step and make parchment paper cones for finger-friendly snacking year-round.
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Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup unpopped popcorn
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250ºF. Grease two baking sheets with cooking spray.
- Add the vegetable oil to a large stockpot set over medium heat.
- Add the popcorn to the pot and cover it. Once you hear the first kernel pop, remove the pot from the heat for one minute. Return the covered pot to the heat, shaking it over the flame until all of the kernels have popped. Discard any unpopped kernels.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then allow the mixture to boil, undisturbed, for 4 minutes. Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the baking soda.
- Immediately pour the caramel over the popcorn, stirring to coat the kernels.
- Transfer the coated popcorn onto the baking sheets, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Bake the popcorn for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Remove the caramel corn from the oven and stir it one more time before allowing it to cool completely. Break it into pieces and serve.
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Yummmmm. Thank you ..Family loved this … it was so easy and great for family movie night.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Excellence! Made 4 batches and every one turned out delicious! Be sure to FOLLOW directions.
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Joyce!
Oh my goodness! This stuff is THE BEST! I was afraid that the clean up would be a nightmare, but with hot water the caramel melts right off the pans. I’m gifting it to everyone I know this Christmas!
So glad you are enjoying the recipe, Beth!
Very yummy and easy to make!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, J!
If you can find the corn puffs, it is even better. No hulls to deal with!!! I can’t find the puffs this year. Since the pandemic the price has gone up to about 3X so it is getting expensive to make it that way. Plain old popcorn works just fine.
Thanks, Carolyn!
I cook longer than recommended because I want my caramel corn crisp. But it’s lovely! And so easy! I made 5 gallons a few years ago.
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoy the recipe, Sheila!
Aldi has the corn puffs
Love this recipe! I make it very often. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear it, Brenda! Glad you enjoy!
Out of this wold successful
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Sonette!
I have not made the recipe yet, but would love to. I am not a fan of corn syrup. Can anything else be substituted?
Hi Sue! Honey can often times be substituted for corn syrup, however I haven’t tried that swap in this recipe specifically.
This is my favorite caramel corn recipe. Have made it multiple times. It’s always a hit and turns out perfectly. Sometimes I drizzle almond bark over it. A friend said the caramel corn was “dangerous”! In fact, some neighbors, who I don’t see very often, don’t remember my name but remember I brought the caramel corn! Lol
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the recipe, Christy!
Wonderful recipe! I cook the caramel to soft boil stage on candy thermometer before adding baking soda. I add 2-4 cups whole pecans.
YUM! I love pecans, too! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Debbie :)
Wonderful recipe! I cook the caramel to soft boil stage on candy thermometer before adding baking soda.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Debbie!
This is my all-time favorite recipe for caramel corn! Mine always turns out more crunchy than sticky, which I prefer so there’s no worry of anyone hurting their teeth. I make this for my grandpa several times a year and it’s absolute favorite thing. He talks about it all the time and makes everyone try it when they visit him. He’s even started giving me money toward the shipping so I’ll make it for him even more frequently.
This was so easy to make. Came out perfect. What a party treat.
I tried this recipe and my family loved it, they are already asking me to make another batch, very tasty and crunchy and yet melts in your mouth.
I’m so happy your family enjoyed the caramel corn, Kelsie!
So so good but too addictive! Made it at Christmas for gifts for kids at church. Added dried cranberries and flaked almonds. The adults were grabbing the bags and eating the goodies then coming back for bags for their kids!!
Love this so much! Thanks for sharing, Devlyn!
Very addictive lol
Made this today for Christmas Eve and it was absolutely delicious and the family loved it. Will definitely make this again
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Dee Dee!
A little time consuming but oh so good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Patty!