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Caramel Popcorn – Ready in 15 Minutes!

This caramel popcorn is so quick and easy, you can whip it up from start to finish in 15 minutes! It’s the easiest and best crunchy caramel popcorn recipe, ever! Make it your own personalized recipe by adding your own choice of  nuts, coconut or ? 

photo of caramel crunch popcorn in a paper cup with brown footballs on it with a beer behind

Originally published February 3, 2013

Do you love sweet and crunchy, addictively delicious caramel popcorn?

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It’s perfect for movie night, sleepovers, camping, and of course sporting events like Super Bowl parties!

Crunchy Garlic Baked Pita Chips

Crunchy Garlic Baked Pita Chips from Christina's Cucina

So, I’m sharing a super simple recipe for my go-to caramel popcorn. There’s no thermometer needed, and only bakes for 10 minutes! This is a recipe my brother used to make, so unfortunately, I don’t know who to credit for the original recipe.

overhead photo of caramel crunch popcorn in a cup with tv remote nearby

NOTE: As you can see from the photos, this is a lightly covered caramel popcorn, so it’s less sweet and has less calories than popcorn coated in a heavy caramel. If you prefer the latter, then double the amount of butter, sugar and Golden Syrup, or pop half as much (or less) popcorn. Add some toasted nuts or coconut, if you like, too!

Caramel crunch popcorn

Caramel Popcorn Recipe

This is such an old recipe I’ve been making, I don’t know where it originated                Serves 4

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

  • popping corn, popped
  • sugar
  • butter
  • salt
  • Golden Syrup

Note: Lyle’s Golden Syrup is a flavorful British corn syrup alternative which is less processed than corn syrup.

Lyle's Golden Syrup in a spoon
Tip: rub a little oil in the spoon before measuring the syrup. The syrup will pour out quickly without sticking.

Directions

Preheat oven to 300ºF (150ºC)

Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. Melt the butter with the remaining ingredients in a small pot over low heat. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 or 2 minutes.

making caramel in a pot

Next, remove the syrup from the heat and immediately pour over the popcorn (and other add ins, if using) in the bowl.

pouring hot caramel over popcorn in a bowl

Mix gently, then place onto a non-stick baking sheet. Using two forks, gently continue to stir the caramel popcorn.

caramel popcorn with two forks in it

Now, place tray in preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove and mix the caramel popcorn gently, then place in oven for another 5 minutes or so.

handheld cup of caramel crunch popcorn
Remove from oven and allow to cool; break into pieces and enjoy this awesome caramel corn!

And have you tried my “no fry” Buffalo Hot Wings? You seriously need these ASAP!

No fry hot wings (Buffalo Wings)

My friend Serena has a lovely recipe for pretzel bites which would also be a great addition to the caramel popcorn for a Superbowl party! 

pretzel bites

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photo of caramel crunch popcorn in a paper cup with brown footballs on it with a beer behind

Caramel Crunch Popcorn

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

A super fast caramel popcorn recipe that tastes great!

Ingredients

  • 85 g (1/2 cup) popping corn, popped (makes a large bowlful)
  • 113 g (1/2 cup) sugar
  • 113 g (1/2 cup) butter
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 Tbsp Golden Syrup (see Notes)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300ºF (150ºC)

  1. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. Melt the butter with the remaining ingredients in a small pot over low heat. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 or 2 minutes.
  2. Remove the syrup from the heat and immediately pour over the popcorn in the bowl.
  3. Mix gently with two forks, then place onto a non-stick baking sheet.
  4. Place tray in preheated oven for 5 minutes, remove and turn gently, then place in oven for another 5 minutes or so.
  5. Remove from oven and let cool; break into pieces and enjoy!

Notes

  • Golden Syrup is a British corn syrup alternative which is incredibly delicious and less processed than corn syrup.
  • You may want to make a double batch because it goes quickly!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information is only estimated.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a review by clicking on the 5 stars above, in the purple header (a form will appear) or tag me on Instagram! 😍

Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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38 Comments

  1. I definitely want to make this popcorn, but I also know I don’t ever want to see the Super Bowl! If people start talking about the game around me, I simply ask them if it’s the round ball or the pointy ball! That pretty much sums things up for me and football! xox :)

    1. Hate to tell you this, but almonds are not nuts! Bet you never knew that! They’re a member of the stone fruit family (think about the inside of a peach pit, looks just like an almond, right?) Found this information online when we realized Denisa had a nut allergy, but she’d been eating almonds without issue. However, some people who have a nut allergy are ALSO allergic to almonds. Go figure.

  2. Not game day for us down under but a great recipe for any time! I adore caramel popcorn and usually use corn syrup but golden syrup is much easier and cheaper here. I will be using your recipe next time. Thanks!

    1. Absolutely, Marcellina! AND it’s much healthier than corn syrup. I’ll be heading down your way next week! First time, ever! Eeeek! So excited! Thanks for your comment and enjoy!

    1. Ah Jana! I totally forgot to mention to add in nuts and other ingredients, like shredded coconut, for example! I’ll go fix it now. I’m sure you’ll love this, it’s so quick and easy, too!