Ingredients You’ll Need
I love making caramel corn because it’s so easy to make, but people are always impressed that it’s homemade. You also only need a few pantry staples to make oven caramel corn.
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- Popcorn Kernels: Either white or yellow will work great.
- Butter: A hefty 4 sticks is needed for this recipe, but it makes a big batch!
- Brown Sugar: Give the caramel corn a nice hint of molasses flavor.
- Corn Syrup: I don’t use corn syrup often but it’s very helpful for special treats like caramel corn and homemade soft caramelels. I usually buy organic corn syrup.
- Baking Soda: This is the secret ingredient to getting the caramel to foam and stick to the popcorn.
- Salt: I highly recommend Kosher salt! A good pinch of salt is key to delicious caramel corn.
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Recommended Equipment
Caramel corn is easy to make at home, but you’ll need a few kitchen tools. I highly recommend a good air-pop popcorn machine.
Air-popped popcorn isn’t coated in any oil or additives so it’s perfect for mixing with the caramel sauce. I also think air-popped popcorn yields bigger pieces than microwave or stove-top popped popcorn.
It’s also helpful to have either 2 large oven-safe glass bowls or 2 baking sheets lined with silicone baking liners for baking the caramel corn.
Tip: Homemade caramel corn will turn out best if you make the popcorn in an air-pop popcorn machine!
How to Make Caramel Corn
The steps to making caramel corn are simple. I’ve included a how-to video in this post as well so be sure to watch that!
- Pop the popcorn.
- Bring the caramel ingredients to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the baking soda then toss the popcorn with the caramel.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Tip: Stirring the popcorn every 15 minutes while it’s baking is key for getting every piece coated with caramel.
This caramel corn is great for packaging up and giving to neighbors and friends. I like to keep the packaging simple with some clear treat bags and seasonal ribbon. It will keep crispy and delicious for up to a week!
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Best Caramel Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 sticks butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 F. Pop the popcorn kernels in air popper. Place popcorn in a large oven safe bowl. (Note: I had to use my biggest and next biggest pyrex bowls and a 9x13 pan to fit it all. Just divide up the popcorn and caramel amongst the dishes as best you can.)
- In a medium saucepan combine the butter, sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Melt slowly over medium heat, stirring constantly. When mixture comes to a full boil, stir constantly to prevent burning for 5 minutes.
- After caramel mixture boils for 5 minutes, remove from heat and add the baking soda. Mix in baking soda carefully as the mixture will expand when you add it. Pour caramel over popcorn and mix well to coat the popped kernels.
- Place in glass oven-safe bowls or on parchment-lined baking sheets and cook the caramel corn for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and pour onto parchment-lined sheet trays immediately. Cool and enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
Originally published October 27, 2012. Recipe still tried, true and loved. Post updated on October 4, 2019.
Nicky says
I’ve made this caramel corn a half dozen times already, it is AMAZING! I usually double the amount of popcorn to caramel and it still covers the popcorn just enough. I bag it up and hand it out as gifts for the holiday. There’s never enough to go around as it gets snacked on immediately!! Thanks
Erin Collins says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It never lasts long at my house either 🙂
CJ says
Meaningful Eats is one of my favorite for GF recipes! I’ve never made caramel corn before, but it was pretty easy and the flavor was awesome! Three kids ate it up!!!
Christy Lutz says
My grand kids love to make this with me. It disappears quickly. Everyone loves it!
Erin Collins says
I’m so happy you like it! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Chandice Probst says
By far the best caramel corn recipe! It’s so easy and online that it uses simple ingredients.
Diana says
This recipe is very similar to the recipe I’ve used for many years. I actually add a tsp of vanilla extract when I add the baking soda. Adds a nice flavor! It’s always a special treat and it is definitely very easy to do!
Anne says
So good!! We’ve made this a few times now. Thanks for sharing.
Wd says
This was super easy to make and very good. I cut the recipe in half as there are only 2 of us. It filled a gallon size plastic bag when done. I used popcorn made from a real movie theater like popcorn maker made with a popcorn kit that has the butter and popcorn. I used my metal large turkey roaster. I poured the Carmel over the popcorn in there and baked it in there. It is a light buttery Carmel, not too much, not sticky, not soaking the popcorn not brown molasses like. I will make this often.
Maddi says
Seriously have to be careful because this popcorn is addicting. It is so soft caramely, I could eat the whole batch.