This delicious sweet and salty caramel popcorn recipe is perfect for snacking or sharing with friends and family. Made with a homemade caramel sauce that combines the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, this popcorn is addictive and full of flavor. It's a great treat for movie nights, parties, or any time you're craving a satisfying snack. Get ready to enjoy a classic combination of flavors in this easy-to-follow recipe.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- Sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Pop the popcorn kernels using your preferred method, such as an air popper or stovetop popcorn pan. Place the popcorn in a large heatproof bowl, ensuring any unpopped kernels are removed.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, unsalted butter, light corn syrup, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture starts to bubble.
- Continue cooking and stirring for another 2-3 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture has turned a golden caramel color.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so be careful.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the popped popcorn and stir until all the popcorn is coated.
- Add the salted peanuts to the bowl and mix well to distribute them evenly throughout the popcorn.
- Spread the caramel popcorn mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle sea salt over the top to add a salty contrast to the sweetness of the caramel.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking and coating.
- Remove from the oven and let the caramel popcorn cool completely on the baking sheet. As it cools, it will crisp up.
- Once cooled, break the caramel popcorn into smaller pieces and serve in a bowl or store in an airtight container for later snacking.
