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    Home » Snack » Homemade Caramel Popcorn

    Homemade Caramel Popcorn

    Published: Oct 27, 2022 Modified: Oct 28, 2022 by Tracy O.This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Crispy and healthier homemade caramel popcorn is great for movie nights, parties and holiday gifts just like hot chocolate bombs, chocolate strawberries & pumpkin spice hot chocolate bombs. Crave for some caramel corn now? Trying out this baked homemade caramel popcorn recipe! Let’s learn how to make this simple, easy and delicious homemade caramel popcorn. 

    Like sweet stuff? check out these mango pomelo sago, sugar donuts, taro ice cream, Asian shaved ice, mango sticky rice dessert, mango popsicles and fresh strawberry muffins recipes.

    homemade caramel popcorn in the bowl with a towel

    What is caramel popcorn?

    Caramel popcorn is made of popcorn coated with sugar based caramel candy. And, I tried to make this homemade caramel corn crispy and healthier. Finally, I came out with this homemade caramel popcorn recipe! My kids love this homemade caramel popcorn because they cannot stop eating them once I made it. Besides, it is great for movie time, party treats or holiday gifts. 

    What are the ingredients for caramel corn?

    The homemade caramel corn ingredients are corn kernels, butter, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda. 

    caramel corn ingredients

    Cooking tips for how to make homemade caramel popcorn:

    • The best is to use an air popcorn machine to make the popcorn because it is so easy, healthier and doesn't require any oil.
    • I do not use a lot of butter because it makes the popcorn crunchier and healthier. In order to reduce the amount of butter, you have to use a nonstick pan or pot to make caramel syrup mixture.
    • It is important to add cream of tartar because it helps prevent sugar syrup from crystallizing.
    • Bake caramel popcorn at 200F for an hour, every 20 minutes take them from the oven and keep mixing them. Repeat this step a total of 3 times. This can help make caramel corn crispy and crunchy. 

    FAQs:

    How do I pop the best popcorn?

    The best is to use an air popcorn machine to make the popcorn because it is so easy, healthier and doesn't require any oil.

    Why do you add cream of tartar? 


    It is used to prevent sugar syrups from crystallizing when making the caramel sauce.cream of tartar in the glass container top view

    Do I have to bake the caramel corn?

    Yes, the best to bake it at 200 F for an hour. Take it out every 20 minutes to mix it well (total 3 times). This can make sure the caramel covers the popcorns. And, this can help the homemade caramel corn to be crispy and crunchy.

    Instructions for how to make homemade caramel popcorn: 

    corn kernels into the popcorn machine top view

    1. Pour ¼ cup of corn kernels into the air popcorn machine as the picture shown.

    popcorn popping from the popcorn machine

    2. Put the hood, cover the top lid and connect the power. Let the machine run and a couple minutes later popcorn will come out.

    popcorn in the white bowl

    3. Using a big bowl to hold the air popped popcorn.

    parchment paper on the tray top view

    4. Put a piece of parchment paper on the tray. (Big enough to cover the tray.)

    popcorn on the tray wit a parchment paper

    5. After that, put the popped popcorn on the tray and spread them. Then, preheat the oven for 200 F.

    butter melting on the non-stick pan

    6. Add ¼ cup of butter (4 tablespoons) into a non-stick pan or pot. Then, turn on the fire to medium low. Let the butter melt.

    brown sugar and butter in the pan top view

    7. Next, add 1 cup of light brown sugar. Mix the butter and brown sugar.

    brown sugar and corn syrup in the pan

    8. The following step, add ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ cup of light corn syrup. Continue to stir it until sugar melts.

    caramel in the pan top view

    9. Then, add ⅛ teaspoon of cream of tartar and ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Mix it well.

    caramel syrup pour over the popcorn on the tray

    10. Pour the caramel syrup from step 9 over the popped popcorn on the cookie sheet step 5 and mix it well. (*Be careful and remember this action needs to be quick because they are very hot, sticky and harden faster.)

    mixed popcorn with caramel

    11. Mix the popcorn and caramel syrup well and make sure every popcorn is coated with caramel syrup.

    homemade baked caramel popcorn on the tray top view

    12. When the oven reaches to 200 F, put them into an oven and bake for 1 hour at 200 F. Take it out every 20 minutes and mix it. Total repeat this step for 3 times.

    homemade caramel popcorn in the bowl with some popcorn on the sides

    Enjoy this healthier and crunchy homemade caramel popcorn recipe! Also, check out these almond jello, red bean mochi, white rabbit candy ice cream, red bean soup and black glutinous rice dessert recipes. 

    More Dessert Recipes You May Also Like:

    • SWEET RED BEAN SOUP
    • BLACK SESAME PASTE OR SOUP
    • TOFU PUDDING
    • MANGO POPSICLES

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    homemade caramel popcorn in the bowl with a towel at the background

    Homemade Caramel Popcorn

    Homemade caramel popcorn or caramel corn is made of popcorn coated with sugar or based caramel candy.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 205kcal
    Author: Tracy O.

    Video

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup Corn Kernels (make around7-8 cups of air popped popcorn)

    CARAMEL SYRUP:

    • ¼ cup Butter
    • 1 cup Light brown sugar
    • ¼ cup Light corn syrup
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon Cream of tartar
    • ½ teaspoon Baking soda

    Instructions

    • Pour ¼ cup of corn kernels into the air popcorn machine as the picture shown.
    • Put the hood, cover the top lid and connect the power. Let the machine run and a couple minutes later popcorn will come out.
    • Using a big bowl to hold the air popped popcorn.
    • Put a piece of parchment paper on the tray. (Big enough to cover the tray.)
    • After that, put the popped popcorn on the tray and spread them. Then, preheat the oven for 200 F.
    • Add ¼ cup of butter (4 tablespoons) into a non-stick pan or pot. Then, turn on the fire to medium low. Let the butter melt.
    • Next, add 1 cup of light brown sugar. Mix the butter and brown sugar.
    • The following step, add ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ cup of light corn syrup. Continue to stir it until sugar melts.
    • Then, add ⅛ teaspoon of cream of tartar and ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Mix it well.
    • Pour the caramel syrup from step 9 over the popped popcorn on the cookie sheet step 5 and mix it well. (*Be careful and remember this action needs to be quick because they are very hot, sticky and harden faster.)
    • Mix the popcorn and caramel syrup well and make sure every popcorn is coated with caramel syrup.
    • When the oven reaches to 200 F, put them into an oven and bake for 1 hour at 200 F. Take it out every 20 minutes and mix it. Total repeat this step for 3 times.

    Notes

    Cooking tips for how to make homemade caramel popcorn:

    • The best is to use an air popcorn machine to make the popcorn because it is so easy, healthier and doesn't require any oil.
    • I do not use a lot of butter because it makes the popcorn crunchier and healthier. In order to reduce the amount of butter, you have to use a nonstick pan or pot to make caramel syrup mixture.
    • It is important to add cream of tartar because it helps prevent sugar syrup from crystallizing.
    • Bake caramel popcorn at 200F for an hour, every 20 minutes take them from the oven and keep mixing them. Repeat this step a total of 3 times. This can help make caramel corn crispy and crunchy. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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    Tracy O.
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