The BEST Caramel Corn Recipe (+ Video) | Valerie's Kitchen (2024)

This easy, homemade Caramel Corn is a must-make recipe in my kitchen each and every Halloween season. Crunchy, sweet and completely irresistible!

Along with my Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, this caramel popcorn has been a Halloween tradition in our house for decades.

I’m issuing a warning before we move ahead with this. This homemade caramel corn is addictive. I suggest immediately packaging it up in cute, festive containers and giving it away to friends and family. There, you’ve been warned. Proceed with caution.

A lot of people may not realize how easy it is to make Caramel Corn at home. The unfussy caramel mixture cooks quickly and easily on the stove and no candy thermometer is needed.

Ingredient Notes

• Freshly popped popcorn
• Caramel mixture – Butter, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, salt, baking soda, and pure vanilla extract.
• Optional add-ins – Pretzels, candy corn, black licorice pieces, assorted nuts

Popping the Popcorn

You can use any method you prefer to pop the popcorn for this recipe. Pop it with an air popper, in a skillet on the stove, make popcorn in a microwave oven, or you can even use your Instant Pot to make popcorn!

How to Make Caramel Corn

1. Pop the Popcorn – Place freshly popped corn in a large roasting pan and place it in the oven to keep warm while making caramel coating.
2. Make the Caramel Sauce – Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow to boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Remove the popped corn from the oven and carefully pour the caramel mixture in a thin stream over the popcorn. Stir the mixture to distribute the caramel and coat the popcorn.
3. Transfer to Baking Sheets – Divide the caramel corn between the two baking sheets that have been coated with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Bake – Bake in the oven at 250 degrees F, stirring with a spatula every 15 minutes, for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking it up into pieces.

Be sure to watch the video in the recipe card below to see just how quick and easy it is to prepare. My little gremlin, Lexie, makes an appearance in the video. Where there is popcorn, there is Lexie.

Tips for the Best Caramel Popcorn

• After popping the corn, pick through it and remove any un-popped kernels.
• If you don’t have a large roasting pan you can use a disposable foil roasting pan or any oven safe pan large enough to hold a boat load of popcorn.
• Be sure to use a large saucepan to make the caramel sauce as it will foam up and grow in size (and this is normal!).
• The caramel sauce will distribute more evenly if you pour it over slightly warm popcorn. To keep your freshly popped popcorn warm, transfer it to a 250 degree F oven while you make the caramel sauce.
• Mix in some fun ingredients like pretzels, black licorice, and candy corn. There are lots of possibilities. Mixed nuts, assorted candies, anything goes. The add-ins add some nice contrast and make it even more festive.

FAQ

How to Store Caramel Corn

Store Caramel Corn in a zippered plastic storage bag or other airtight container at room temperature. It will be fresh for up to 3 months, however, I guarantee it will not last this long!

Package it up to give as gifts, but definitely save a little for movie night or the football game or to munch on when you are handing out candy on Halloween night.

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