Caramel Corn is quintessential fall food and this recipe is quick, easy, and can be made in the microwave! No candy thermometers or complicated instructions, just warm, buttery caramel coated bites. Now there are generally 2 schools when it comes to caramel corn: those who like it warm and soft, and those who like it crisp and crunchy. This recipe is awesome because 1. It tastes amazing, 2. It’s suuuper easy, and 3. You can make it gooey or crunchy. You can even form it into popcorn balls. Pretty much anyone and everyone who eats this asks for the recipe!
Ingredients and Equipment Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
Ingredients
- Popped popcorn – Plain, air-popped popcorn works best here. However, if you’re in a pinch, even butter flavored microwaved popcorn will do.
- Brown sugar
- Corn syrup – Light or dark will work. For anyone worried, this is not the same as high fructose corn syrup, which is as enzyme-converted sweetener that contains a lot of fructose. Karo and similar brands of light or dark corn syrup found at the store are very low in fructose. It’s added here to help make a smooth caramel that won’t crystalize.
- Salt
- Butter – Always use real butter if you can!
- Baking soda – This is the “secret ingredient” in this recipe. The baking soda causes the hot caramel to expand, making it easy to coat each piece of popcorn easily.
- Vanilla extract
Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl – This caramel corn is like a fun science experiment. Use a much larger bowl than you think you’ll need, as the caramel expands quickly when you add the baking soda!
- Large mixing bowl – To make your life easier, you’ll want a very big bowl for mixing the popcorn with the caramel. The largest bowl you can find. Use one that is way bigger than you think you’ll need, it just makes it SO much easier to stir. I use a ridiculously large bowl like this one for my caramel corn, and also rice krispy treats. It’s one of my most favorite kitchen tools!
How to Make Easy Caramel Corn
- Put your popcorn in a very large bowl and set aside. You’ll want to make sure you carefully remove ALL unpopped kernels from the bowl so you don’t break a tooth.
- You’ll combine brown sugar, butter, and a little corn syrup in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave just until everything melts together and is stirred smooth. TIP: Cut your butter into small pieces so it melts quicker.
- After it’s melted and smooth, then you’ll microwave it for a couple more minutes to dissolve the sugar. It will look like caramel after you pull it out (because it is caramel!).
- The magic happens when you add the vanilla (watch it sizzle!) and the baking soda. Stir in the baking soda and you’ll see the caramel actually grow and become lighter in caramel and almost….fluffy.
- Pour the caramel over the popcorn and toss well with a large spoon or silicone spatula until every kernel is well coated. Enjoy as is, or transfer to a baking sheet and bake for crispy caramel corn.
Storing and Other Tips
- Gooey caramel corn is best eaten while fresh and warm.
- Crunchy caramel corn will last several days if kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Crunchy Caramel Corn Instructions
If you’d like to turn your soft caramel corn into crunchy caramel corn, all you need to do is bake it! Just spread it all out on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 300°F for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can certainly play around with this recipe as you like as far as add ins go! Cinnamon and toasted nuts work really well, like in this Cinnamon Bun Popcorn.
The gooey caramel corn is best for eating right away, but if you bake it to make it crunchy, it makes a great treat to package up and gift!
Yes! Corn syrup introduces a different type of sugar to the mix which prevents crystals from forming and produces a nice, smooth caramel.
Easy Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn about ½ cup kernels
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup Karo corn syrup light or dark is fine
- ⅛ teaspoon salt if you are using salted microwave popcorn then omit salt here
- ½ cup real butter 1 stick
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Pop popcorn and set aside.
- Place brown sugar, Karo syrup, salt, and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 30 seconds. That should be enough to melt the butter at least half way. Stir it all to combine. No microwave on high for 2 minutes. Take it out and stir. Microwave for 2 more minutes.
- While the caramel is cooking, put the popcorn in a big bowl. Use one that is way bigger than you think you’ll need. Also, remove any un-popped kernels. When the caramel is done cooking, take out of microwave and add baking soda and vanilla. Stir well and then pour over popcorn and stir up popcorn immediately to coat.
- Eat warm straight out of the bowl, or spread out onto waxed paper or foil and let cool to room temperature (for soft, gooey popcorn).
For Crunchy Caramel Corn
- Spread warm caramel corn out on a parchment-lined cookie sheet (you might need 2) and bake at 300℉ for about 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Pull out a piece and pop it in the fridge to let it cool quickly to test crunchiness!
Notes
- Gooey caramel corn is best eaten while fresh and warm.
- Crunchy caramel corn will last several days if kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Questions & Reviews
I have “light corn syrup-karo” is that ok to use?
I also don’t see any expiration date on the syrup and don’t know how long its been in my pantry. Think it expires?
That’s exactly what you want! And seriously, I think it might last forever, lol.
WOw !! great recipe ! tastes so yummy and super easy to make !
I like it gooey!! We made this for our Halloween party. It’s AMAZING. In fact out whole party was brought to us care of Our Best Bites!! We used your method of microwave pop corn in a brown paper bag, and made the carmel corn. I also combined your fun Black Light Beverage using tonic water and dry ice for a fun effect. In fact I used several of your recipies to make dinner for our goulish group. Don’t worry . . . your getting ALL the credit. I love your site. Thanks so much for all of the fun and EASY ideas you put out here for us to mimmic. 🙂
This caramel corn is the best!!! We always make 2 batches. One to eat and one to share. Love your website. I read it all the time.
A friend recently sent me a photo of your Oreo Turkeys as she knows I have grandkids and love to make things with them around the holidays. Well today I have visited your website for the first time and have to tell you girls, I am in love already! We typically do seasona cut out cookies and ice them, but so many more options here. Have already shared your website with the room full of women and work with and will be spreading it to all my email friends. See you again, real soon, I’m sure.
HI there, I just fpund your recipe for the caramel popcorn. I received this recipeabout 20 years ago from a Tupperware lady. The only difference was that instead of baking it you put the popped popcorn in a double brown paper bag, pour the cooked caramel syrup over the popped corn & shake the bag. Microwave for 1 minute, take out & shake. Microwave for another 1 minute, take out & shake. Then repeat, only microwaving 30 seconds at a time (for 2 times). Split open bag (very carefully) & let cool. I use an air popcprn popper & can make a a batch start to finish in about 15 minutes. Try it & let me know just how great this recipe is! We love it!
YUM! We make this every year for Halloween, and again for Christmas gifts, but we make them into popcorn balls. Just make sure you get your hands really cold and buttery before forming the balls 🙂
I just made this for the first time; I should have made a double batch I am not sure there is going to be any left for our drive-in movie this evening. Thank you for such a great recipe.
We make this recipe all the time. I add 1tsp. Cinnamon with the vanilla and baking soda mixture. Also, I spray a brown grocery bag with Cooking spray, add the popcorn then the mixture. Fold the top over and shake. It eliminates burned fingers if your bowl is too small when stirring. I nuke it in the microwave for 1 minute and then shake. It is a perfect mixture of crunch and soft.
so yummy! my kids loved it! thank you!