Delightful Homemade Caramel Puff Corn Recipe For Sweet Snackers

Buttery kernels coated in a decadent caramel puff corn dance with irresistible sweetness, promising pure snacking bliss.

This addictive treat melts effortlessly on your tongue, creating a crunchy carnival of flavor.

Golden caramel transforms simple popcorn into an indulgent sensation that beckons from the bowl.

Each batch delivers a crisp, sugary crunch that captures everyone’s attention at gatherings.

The recipe requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, this caramel puff corn will become your new favorite munching companion.

One bite guarantees you’ll be making this again and again.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything That Goes Into Caramel Puff Corn

• Puffed Corn: Light, airy snack base that provides a crispy texture and perfect canvas for caramel coating.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Essential for preventing sticking and ensuring easy pan release.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for caramel, adding depth of flavor and silky texture.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create classic caramel color.
• Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and ensures smooth, glossy caramel sauce.

• Baking Soda: Creates foamy texture and helps caramel become lighter and more airy.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds subtle, warm background flavor.

What Tools Make Caramel Puff Corn Easy

• Roasting Pan: Large pan for even spreading and baking of puffed corn.
• Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for making caramel sauce and melting ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring caramel mixture and coating puffed corn.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and helps easy removal.
• Wax Paper or Foil: Used for cooling and preventing caramel corn from sticking.
• Airtight Container: For storing the finished caramel puff corn.

How To Bake Caramel Puff Corn Sweet And Crisp

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 250F. Grab a large roasting pan and give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread out the puffed corn evenly across the pan.

• Whip Up the Gooey Goodness

Grab a saucepan and melt butter over medium heat. Toss in brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until they become best friends. Let the mixture bubble and boil for two intense minutes while you keep a watchful eye.

• Magic Potion Time

Take the saucepan off the heat and sprinkle in baking soda and vanilla extract. Watch in wonder as the mixture transforms into a foamy, magical concoction.

• Create the Caramel Bath

Pour the golden caramel mixture over the puffed corn. Gently fold and mix, making sure every piece gets a luxurious caramel coating.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and let it bake for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes, give it a gentle stir to ensure an even tan on all the puffed corn pieces.

• Cool and Crunch

Spread the caramel-coated puffed corn onto wax paper or foil. Let it cool down and break into delightful bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container for snacking anytime.

Tips To Make Caramel Puff Corn Perfectly Crunchy

• Caramel Perfection Hacks: Quick Tips and Tasty Twists
• Crunch Control: For extra crispy texture, ensure you stir the puffed corn every 15 minutes during baking, preventing any soggy spots and creating an even golden crunch.
• Sweet Swap Magic: Experiment with different sugars like coconut sugar or maple sugar for unique caramel flavor profiles that add delightful depth to your snack.
• Allergy-Friendly Adaptation: Replace regular corn syrup with brown rice syrup for a gluten-free and corn syrup-free version that's equally delicious and safe for sensitive diets.
• Flavor Explosion Option: Sprinkle sea salt, cinnamon, or crushed nuts over the caramel puff corn right after baking to create gourmet-style variations that elevate the basic recipe.
• Storage Savvy: Keep your caramel puff corn crisp by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, ensuring maximum freshness and crunch.

Serve Caramel Puff Corn For Snack Time

• Sweet Movie Night Munchies: Perfect for cuddling up with friends and enjoying a classic film marathon.
• Party Snack Extravaganza: Serve in colorful bowls at game nights or birthday celebrations for a crowd-pleasing treat.
• Gifting Goodness: Package in cute mason jars or cellophane bags with ribbons for homemade holiday presents that everyone will love.
• Dessert Table Star: Arrange beautifully on a festive platter alongside other sweet treats for stunning dessert buffets.

Simple Ways To Store Caramel Puff Corn

• Crisp Container Technique: Store cooled caramel puff corn in airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Freshness Window: Enjoy within 5-7 days for optimal taste and texture, keeping the container at room temperature in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Batch Preparation Strategy: Make multiple batches and freeze in zip-lock freezer bags for up to 3 weeks, ensuring a quick grab-and-munch snack whenever cravings hit.
• Separation Secret: Layer wax paper between puff corn pieces when storing to prevent clumping and maintain individual kernel crispness, making portion control easier and snacking more enjoyable.

Gooey Caramel Puff Corn Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Legendary caramel puff corn recipe delivers sweet, crunchy snack perfection with minimal ingredients. Crisp kernels glazed in rich caramel make this treat irresistible for gatherings and movie nights you’ll devour quickly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 89 oz (2.52 kg) puffed corn (hull-less popcorn)
• 1 cup (226 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (220 g) packed brown sugar
• ½ cup (118 ml) light corn syrup
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 tsp (5 g) baking soda

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position an oven rack in the center and preheat to 250F (120C). Coat a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray, then spread puffed corn evenly across the surface.
2. Caramel Creation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Blend brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until smooth. Bring to a rolling boil, continuing constant stirring for two minutes without interruption.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and swiftly incorporate baking soda and vanilla extract. Gently fold ingredients, observing the dramatic foaming transformation that occurs during mixing.
4. Coating Process: Drizzle caramel mixture over puffed corn, using a spatula to ensure comprehensive coverage. Fold gently to guarantee each kernel receives an uniform caramel layer.
5. Baking and Caramelization: Place roasting pan in preheated oven. Rotate and redistribute coated puffed corn every fifteen minutes to prevent burning and promote even caramelization. Bake for a total of 45 minutes.
6. Cooling and Storage: Immediately transfer caramelized puffed corn onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, separate into bite-sized clusters and store in an airtight container.

Notes

• Prevent Burning Technique: Consistently rotate the pan every 15 minutes to ensure even caramelization and prevent any kernels from scorching, which could impact the overall flavor and texture.
• Baking Soda Magic: When adding baking soda, expect a dramatic foaming reaction that helps create a lighter, more airy caramel coating, giving the puff corn a unique texture and volume.
• Coating Consistency: Use a spatula with gentle folding motions to guarantee each puff corn kernel receives an uniform caramel layer, avoiding clumps or uneven distribution.
• Storage Wisdom: Cool the caramel puff corn completely on wax paper before breaking into clusters, then store in an airtight container to maintain crispness and prevent moisture absorption.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 202
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg