American · serves 2

Caramel Popcorn

Caramel poured over hot popcorn and tossed fast. Ten minutes.

15 min Some work Vegetarian No oven needed

Ingredients

  • 6 cups popcorn, popped
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 tsp cornflour in 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Method

  1. Caramelise the sugar, then add butter, cornflour water and salt immediately.
  2. Cook 2 minutes.
  3. Off the heat, stir in the baking soda. It foams up pale — that's what makes it crisp instead of glassy.
  4. Pour over the popcorn while everything is still hot and toss fast. It sets in seconds.

Questions people ask about Caramel Popcorn

How long does Caramel Popcorn take?

About 15 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. That is start-to-finish, so it works on a weeknight when you have not planned anything.

What can I use instead of butter in Caramel Popcorn?

Use ghee or oil. Ghee has no water in it, so things brown faster and you may need slightly less.

Can I make Caramel Popcorn ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Caramel Popcorn vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Can I make Caramel Popcorn without an oven?

That is exactly what this recipe is for. It uses a pressure cooker, a pan or the fridge instead of an oven, and the method here is written for that, not adapted from a baked version.

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