Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn is a simple at home recipe and the results are an amazing sweet and sticky treat. This microwave caramel popcorn is made in the microwave and uses ingredients that are most likely already in your kitchen.
This recipe for homemade caramel popcorn is so easy, with only a few ingredients and 10 minutes of prep work you will be on your way to enjoying this incredible treat. Whip up a batch of this homemade microwave caramel popcorn for your next family movie night and your whole family is sure to rejoice!
Caramel Popcorn
Unlike other caramel corn recipes, this caramel corn is made with baking soda, making it nice and chewy and softer too! This is one of my family’s favorite treats and I am sure after you try it, it will be one of your favorites too! You will never want to pay for expensive caramel popcorn again with this simple caramel corn recipe in your back pocket. The most important thing to remember is not to skip out on the baking soda. It’s what makes your caramel corn soft enough to not break your teeth. Baking soda, when combined with the other ingredients, makes small air bubbles that help to soften the overall texture. It’s a cool science lesson and a tasty snack at the same time!
Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn Ingredients
Popcorn: You will need 8 cups of popped popcorn (1 regular sized bag) for this sensational recipe.
Brown sugar: For the incredible caramel glaze, use 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Butter: Add in 1/4 cup of butter to create an amazing rich flavor and shine for this popcorn treat.
Corn syrup: The key ingredients in this caramel treat is 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup.
Salt: Season the popcorn with a 1/4 teaspoon of salt, omit if using salted popcorn.
Vanilla extract: Adding in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract will give this popcorn amazing flavor.
Baking soda: Another important ingredient you do not want to forget is 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
How to Make Homemade Caramel Popcorn
Start by popping the microwave popcorn per instructions on the package. Once popped, remove the “duds.” I do this by only opening the bag a small slit, shake the bag over a large bowl and the un-popped kernels will fall out. Dump those duds into the garbage, then open the bag completely and pour the popcorn into the bowl.
In a large glass bowl or another large microwave safe bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla extract. Proceed to heat for 1 minute 30 seconds in the microwave, then take out the bowl and stir the contents until well blended. Return the bowl to the microwave and cook for 30 seconds. Remove it from the microwave, and stir in the baking soda.
After that, pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn in the bowl, stir to coat the popcorn as best as you can. Then, put the bowl of popcorn into the microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
Remove, stir well, and return it back to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Remove and stir well, one last time.
Then, dump the popcorn out onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet and let it cool until the coating is set.
Serve and enjoy!
Why Is My Caramel Corn So Sticky?
If you did not cook your caramel corn long enough it can result in a more sticky feeling than if you cooked it longer. This can be difficult to navigate at first due to different microwaves, but after a time or two of making this caramel corn recipe, you should have no issues figuring out what the correct time and sweet spot is for getting perfect caramel popcorn every time. When cooked properly your caramel sauce should make the corn have a dried shiny coating and not a sticky mess. You can still eat it while it’s sticky, and some people prefer it that way. Just keep the hand wipes handy.
Homemade Caramel Popcorn
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn (1 reg sized bag)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- ¼ tsp salt omit if using salted popcorn
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Start by popping the microwave popcorn per instructions on the package. Once popped, remove the “duds.” I do this by only opening the bag a small slit, shake the bag over a large bowl and the un-popped kernels will fall out. Dump those duds into the garbage, then open the bag completely and pour the popcorn into the bowl.
- In a large glass bowl or another large microwave safe bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla extract. Proceed to heat for1 minute 30 seconds in the microwave, then take out the bowl and stir the contents until well blended. Return the bowl to the microwave and cook for 30seconds. Remove it from the microwave and stir in the baking soda.
- After that, pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn in the bowl, stir to coat the popcorn as best as you can. Then, put the bowl of popcorn into the microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Remove, stir well, and return it back to the microwave for another 30seconds. Remove and stir well, one last time.
- Then, dump the popcorn out onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet and let it cool until the coating is set. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
How Do You Store Caramel Popcorn?
Keep your cooled (and no longer sticky) caramel popcorn inside of an airtight container or large resealable plastic bag. You can keep it at room temperature for up to 3 months this way, but I recommend eating it much sooner than that.
Can I Freeze Caramel Popcorn?
Something not many people know is that you can freeze caramel popcorn. Just make sure to keep it in its airtight container and it should be able to hold well for a few months.
How Do You Refresh Caramel Popcorn?
You can sometimes bring popcorn back from the stale state it is in by refreshing it in the oven. Place an even layer of popcorn on a parchment lined baking sheet and place it in the oven at 250 degrees F for about 5 minutes until it has warmed through. This should help to re-crisp it back to its original delicious state.
How Long Will Caramel Popcorn Stay Fresh?
Unlike many other recipes where the homemade versions don’t last nearly as long as the store bought counterparts, caramel corn made at home lasts about as long as caramel corn purchased from the store! You can expect your popcorn to last up to 3 months if properly stored, but we have always eaten it long before that timeframe was up!
Love popcorn? Here are some other popcorn recipes to try!
- Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn Cake
- Better than Caramel Popcorn
- Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Pretty in Pink Popcorn
- Chocolate Popcorn
- Peppermint Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn
- Game Day Popcorn Mix
- Halloween Popcorn Mix
- Snickers Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Homemade Stovetop Popcorn
Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn is a great recipe you can make at home and the results are an incredibly sweet and sticky treat. This microwave caramel popcorn is made in the microwave and uses ingredients that are most likely already in your kitchen.
Leave a Reply