Homemade Caramel Popcorn — Easy and Delicious Snack!
Have you ever made Homemade Caramel Popcorn? No? Well, hopefully, you like it, because this is a recipe worth saving …and it’s a perfect munchie to have on hand. Yum!
Snack Time!
This has been a favorite of mine for years, but this is not just any old caramel popcorn recipe. So, there was this amazing caramel corn place called Johnson’s Popcorn on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ. It’s world-famous!
And since we vacationed there every summer, it was something we always looked forward to. My parents have even sent us ‘just because’ buckets over the years. Woot!!
However, this homemade caramel popcorn recipe is a close competitor. It is seriously one of the yummiest caramel corn recipes on the planet (yes, I may be a bit biased)! Growing up, this was always a treat and, believe it or not, we typically only made it during the holidays. Crazy, I know!
This is a great year-round snack — perfect for parties, football games, poolside snacks, etc. I remember my mom shaking that brown paper bag like it was yesterday. Oh, the sweet memories!
I’ll never forget the first time I made this for my husband too. If my memory serves me correctly, the first word out of his mouth was, “AWESOME.”
So, prepare to impress your friends, family, neighbors and/or co-workers. This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and snack food that you could make yearly weekly (wink wink). I know my husband wouldn’t mind!
And in food news –> Popcorn lovers happen to be sweet on CARAMEL. Woot woot. So let’s learn how to Make Homemade Caramel Popcorn. Enjoy.
Other delicious snack recipes you might enjoy:
Delicious Sriracha Snacks
Homemade Popcorn ‘n Peanuts
Healthy Homemade Granola
No-Bake Candied Pecans
Homemade Caramel Corn
Ingredients
Popcorn
- 16 cups of air-popped popcorn
Carmel Coating
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1 Stick of Butter
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
Instructions
- Place popped corn in a large brown paper bag.
- Combine butter, corn syrup, sugar and salt in an 8 cup bowl. Microwave on high, 1-2 minutes or until it bubbles. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring after each minute. Add baking soda and vanilla, stir well, pour over popcorn.
- Shake well, fold-down bag and microwave on high for 1 minute. Shake well. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Shake well. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Shake well. Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
- Place on wax paper and let cool. Store in an airtight container!
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Hugs and Blessings!
Emily says
How does the popcorn not burn being microwaved so long after its already popped? Looks great!
Kelly says
Hi Emily! I don’t know how, but it doesn’t. I think it’s because the of caramel coating and short amounts of time between the shaking. If you follow the directions as-is — you’ll have no worries! Enjoy!!
TidyMom says
Looks and sounds fabulous!
shoprubyjean says
Hi Kelly, Oh that looks so VERY yummy especially for this nursing Mamma 🙂 Yes, we had our Sweet baby!! I just posted her birth story, I would Love for you to stop in and see our Sweet little bundle 🙂
Have a blessed day!
Angelina
Kelly says
Thank you, Angelina!! Aaaand, CONGRATULATIONS once again. So happy for you and your family. HUGS!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh gosh. YES PLEASE.
Kelly says
Ha! Ha! It’s addictive… deliciously addictive! 😉
Melissa B says
oh my…! this looks so yummmy! now, Im hungry for Caramel Popcorn, ( saving this recipe! )
Kelly says
Hi Melissa! Thanks so much. Let me know what you think when you give it a try 🙂 It’s deee-lish!
Melissa B says
I will let you know, Im sure it will be delicious!
Annette Peel says
Kristine sent me your link for this recipe – now I owe both of you big time! I made a batch to give as gifts at our family Christmas party. I was sooo sad that only about a cup was leftover for me and hubby to eat! At his request (insistence)I will definitely make it again, soon. And you are right, it is so easy to make. Thanks for a new favorite recipe!
Kelly says
Hi Annette! How fun that you made this recipe for your family 🙂 Easy means you can make it all the time {wink}. Happy Holidays to you and yours!! xo, Kelly
Darby says
Yum. Can you possibly explain directions for those of us who don’t own a microwave?
Kelly Rowe says
Hi Darby. Unfortunately, I don’t have a recipe using anything other than the microwave. I wish I could be of more help. Cheers.
Brittanyyyy says
Can I do this in a popcorn popper on the stove top?? I LOVE caramel popcorn best!!
Kelly Rowe says
Hey there Britany. Unfortunately, I’ve never made this recipe in a popcorn popper or on the stovetop, so I can’t speak to that process. I don’t believe it’s possible, but you’re welcome to try. I wish I could be of more help. Cheers.
Memoria says
This is more like toffee, not caramel, but it still looks good!
Jackie says
I was hoping for directions on the stove top because I have no microwave…………It was nice of u to share ur recipe……I really wish I could try it…….it was going to be my first attempt at carmel corn!!:-)
JaneEllen says
My stars I can hardly wait to make this, sounds and looks so good. I love caramel corn something awful. This will be one of our favorites. Oh yummmy. Off to store tomorrow to get goodies to make this stuff. Glad you shared recipe. Happy week
mary m says
You say boil for three minutes. Is that a continuation in the microwave or do you do it on the stove? Sounds wonderful. Sure will blow my WW points. lol Thanks.
Kelly Rowe says
Hi Mary. This entire recipe is made in the microwave. The caramel will bubble/boil quickly — so you’ll cook for three minutes, stirring every minute. Hope that helps. Cheers!
Amit Sharma says
Popcorn is my favorite snacks and I have made popcorn so many time. But this time I used your recipe and it was really different and delicious. Thanks for sharing the great taste.
Jennifer says
This was just what I was looking for as I had been contemplating buying a bucket of Johnson’s – there’s is the absolute best we’ve ever bought online (we’re in Southern California – never been to real shop on the east coast).
But, a couple questions about recipe – I’ve made twice. I’ve determined 16 cups popped corn equates to about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels. As recipe does not indicate either light or dark brown sugar or light or dark corn syrup, I used a mixture of both for each. To the paper bag, I alternated layers of the popcorn and caramel mixture but the corn still turned out splotchy – not a full coating on each kernel. Still, best tasting at a fraction of the cost from various retailers. Thanks – would appreciate an update and any further recommendations!
Kelly Rowe says
Hi Jennifer. I’ve never measured out the unpopped kernels. I just pop the popcorn until I have the 16 cups. I usually use light corn syrup. I’ve always placed all the popcorn in the bag, poured the caramel sauce over it and shaken well before placing it in the microwave. You really have to shake or gently stir the popcorn well throughout Step #3 to avoid splotches. I hope that helps. Sorry for any confusion in the directions… and for my delay in responding. Cheers!
Rebecca says
Thank you for all of your posts. Merry Christmas. ☃️