Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (2024)

Popcorn two easy ways! Caramel corn & Kettle corn recipes you can make right in the comfort of your own home. Gluten-free and full of great flavor make these two recipes so good!

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (1)



I have always loved popcorn. I think my love for it is genetic. My dad has consumed mass quantities of popcorn on a regular basis over his lifetime! He loves to eat air-popped, lightly salted popcorn while watching a sports game.

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When it isn't doused in butter, popcorn can really be a healthy and satisfying snack.

When I need something sweet to snack on I love to make a batch of homemade kettle corn or homemade caramel corn. It is a sweet treat that I like to indulge in for special occasions...or anytime really.

If you are intimidated about making homemade kettle corn or caramel corn you don't have to be any longer! My caramel corn and kettle corn recipes are super simple, quick, and DELICIOUS!

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (3)


How To Make The Best Caramel Corn:

  • Preheat your oven to 315 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Pop your popcorn either in an air popper or in a traditional popcorn popper. Make 6-8 cups of popped popcorn then pour the popped popcorn in a large roasting pan and set aside.
  • In a medium size saucepan mix the following ingredients (below) - except for the baking soda and vanilla extract over medium high heat, stirring constantly.
  • Let boil for five minutes continuing to stir.Turn off heat and add the vanilla and baking soda stirring to combine.
  • Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn in the roasting pan and stir to coat evenly. Put the roasting pan with the caramel covered popcorn into the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Stir the caramel corn and bake an additional five minutes.
  • After it is done baking scoop the caramel corn into a large bowl (or two) and stir occasionally to break up the chunks as it cools.
  • Let the caramel corn cool for about 10 minutes and then enjoy!

Pour the cooled caramel corn into your favorite bowl and prepare to dig in! Be careful - it is very easy to eat it all in one sitting, I may or may not be speaking from experience!

Here is the printable recipe card for this amazing recipe!!

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (5)


Let's try my homemade kettle corn recipe. This recipe requires the popcorn to be made in a traditional oilpopcorn machine. If you don't have one (you should get one) you can use alarge pot with a lid to make the popcorn in instead.

* My all-time favorite popcorn popper is theWhirley Popper!! Trust me when I tell you this is the best because I have tried tons of different kinds of popcorn poppers and this is by far the best.

Homemade Kettle Corn Recipe

  • Pour 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in the popcorn popper or pot along with 2/3 cup of popcorn kernels. ( I prefer yellow popcorn versus white but use whatever you like best. )
  • Next, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of granulated sugar (white sugar) over the un-popped kernels.
  • Over medium-high heat using a Whirley popperpopcorn machinebegin to pop your popcorn or if you are making it in a pot on the stove, put the lid on and turn the heat to medium-high. Shake the pot every few seconds to keep the kernels moving.
  • Once the popping stops remove the pot from the stove or turn off your popcorn machine and pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Lightly salt the kettle corn if you desire.

Here is a printable for the Kettle Corn Recipe:

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (6)

Since this post is all about popcorn I thought I'd share with you the tools I use to make the best popcorn.

My favorite traditional popcorn maker is the Whirley Popper Popcorn Machine.It is the most amazing popcorn popper. This popper can make 6 quarts of popped popcorn in 3 minutes! (I timed it and sure enough it only takes 3 minutes). You can make the kettle corn recipe (above) right in this popper too!

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (7)
Amazon

Since I am a popcorn junkie it would be a big tragedy if my popper broke and I was left popcorn-less! To make sure this never happens I keep a backup popcorn popper. My backup popper is this cute air popper machine from West Bend called the Stir Crazy Popcorn Maker.

click HERE

If you are really in a bind and don't have access to a popcorn machine you can just use what you have on hand like alarge stockpot with a lid. This method too can make a pretty tasty batch of popcorn. I got my large stock pot on Amazon.

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (9)


I'm not overly picky about popcorn kernels however I do prefer yellow popcorn over white. I think yellow popcorn is bigger and has that fluffy appearance whereas white looks small and crumbles easier. White popcorn is the perfect kind to use when making popcorn balls though because of its size.

Did you know that there are blue popcorn kernels? The blue (or purple) corn tastes similar to standard popcorn and is fluffy with very little crunch. Some would say it has a sweeter taste with a milder popcorn flavor. I recommend this Amish Country popcorn that comes in a 3lbs bag. If you have never had it you should give it a try!


On a side note - did you know Home Depot sells popcorn? Weird (but totally awesome) right? I discovered this the other day when my husband and I were there shopping for some plumbing parts. I love wandering around the store just looking at things! That is when I discovered popcorn! Here is one of my favorites - a 4 lb. Yellow Popcorn in a plastic container with a screw-on lid! Keeps it fresh and 4 lbs should last a little while.

Other Popcorn Toppings

Since I am a huge fan of popcorn it won't surprise you that I've tried a variety of different toppings as well. Right now my favorite flavors are white cheddar, cheddar and ranch. I've lost count as to the number of times I've ordered these flavors on Amazon but I haven't tired of them yet.

What is your favoritepopcorn topping? The fact that you can put just about anything on popcorn as a topping makes this treat so much fun!

Enjoy your popcorn, I know I will.


Easy Homemade Caramel Corn & Kettle Corn Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are kettle corn and caramel corn the same thing? ›

While both caramel corn and kettle corn are sweet, caramel corn is richer in flavor and texture. Historically sweetened with molasses, caramel corn is most-often candy-coated. The thin, crunchy, sweet coating is derived from melted sugar. The coating is applied after popping.

Why is my homemade caramel corn soggy? ›

Baking the caramel-coated popcorn helps to set the caramel sauce. By skipping this step, the caramel corn will become soggy.

How do you make Martha Stewart caramel popcorn? ›

In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss. Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes.

What is cowboy kettle corn? ›

Cowboy Kettle Corn ​Cowboy Kettle Corn is family owned and operated. We have an old-fashioned cast iron kettle, use premium mushroom popcorn, and stir the corn by hand with a wooden paddle. We cook our Cowboy Kettle Corn using a secret recipe known only by a few, but loved by many.

Why is kettle corn so addictive? ›

The addition of sugar makes kettle popcorn very addictive, so it's no surprise that you can't stop eating it until you've finished the entire bowl.

What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? ›

What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? Baking soda is basically what makes the caramel corn chewy with a little bit of crunch.

What does cream of tartar do in Carmel? ›

Cream of tartar is a powder (nope, not cream) that acts as the acid in this recipe to prevent the sauce from crystallizing, ensuring a rich, velvety texture instead of sugar shards (though I call "Sugar Shard" as a band name).

How long can I store homemade caramel corn? ›

To keep your caramel corn fresh, be sure to store it in an airtight container or resealable bag (making sure to press as much air out as you can). The better you seal your container, the longer it will last. You can store it at room temperature on your counter for up to 2-3 weeks.

Why put egg in caramel popcorn? ›

Even if you want to add candy or sauces, it doesn't require an egg. Still, some say the egg keeps the kernels from sticking together, while others say it's to keep wannabe chefs from adding too many kernels to the pan.

Why is my caramel popcorn not crunchy? ›

If you prefer chewy caramel corn, let it sit until the caramel has hardened. If you prefer crunchy caramel corn, Preheat oven to 250 F. and bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing occasionally. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

What thickens homemade caramel? ›

Alternatively, you can mix in water with cornstarch or flour to thicken the sauce. If you're using cornstarch, add 1 tablespoon each of water and cornstarch for every cup of caramel sauce.

What is the difference between kettle corn and caramel popcorn? ›

Kettle corn is made by placing kernels in a metal bowl, covering them with oil and sugar, and then cooking the mixture on the stovetop until it reaches a high temperature. Caramel corn is made by combining sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a pot over low heat.

Is caramel corn the same as caramel popcorn? ›

Caramel corn or caramel popcorn (toffee popcorn in the UK) is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick. Typically a sugar solution or syrup is made and heated until it browns and becomes thick, producing a caramelized candy syrup.

What is caramel popcorn with peanuts called? ›

Cracker Jack is an American brand of snack food that consists of molasses-flavored, caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged with a prize of trivial value inside. The Cracker Jack name and slogan, "The More You Eat The More You Want", were registered in 1896. Food author Andrew F.

What is another name for caramel corn? ›

Caramel corn or caramel popcorn (toffee popcorn in the UK) is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick.

Why do Americans call it kettle corn? ›

Kettle corn is a sweet variety of popcorn that is typically mixed or seasoned with a light-colored refined sugar, salt, and oil. It was traditionally made in cast iron kettles, hence the name, but in modern times other types of pots and pans are used.

Is kettle corn just sweet popcorn? ›

Kettle corn is just popcorn kernels, sugar, salt, and a neutral oil, usually vegetable. There is no butter called for in any type of kettle corn recipe.

What kind of corn is kettle corn? ›

Regular popcorn comes from butterfly flakes or snowflakes, which are irregular in shape with many popping “wings” that stick out, hence the name. Butterfly flakes are much more tender and have a better mouthfeel. Mushroom flakes, used to make kettle corn, are mostly spherical in shape and can be either round or oblong.

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