No Bake Caramel Corn
I love caramel corn. At a fair, at the game…on my couch. Good, homemade caramel corn can be many things all at once. It can be buttery, crunchy, sweet, sticky, and salty all at once. However, I don’t enjoy having to hover over it and babysit an entire pan that would only take me minutes to joyfully toss into my mouth. Constantly checking up on it and stirring is not my idea of a good time, especially since said caramel corn doesn’t even pay minimum wage. Needless to say, I needed a method that would ensure the quickest route from pot to mouth and this is how my recipe for no bake caramel corn was born.
This recipe is completely no bake and utilizes air-popped popcorn without any fancy equipment and takes no more than 15 minutes from start to finish. You can, of course pop this over the stove top but you can simply tumble some kernels into a brown paper bag {I re-use my paper bags from the market–yay for repurposing!} fold it over a few times and allow the microwave to do all the work. And since the popcorn is air popped, you can save up all that gorgeous butter for the crowning glory of ooey-gooey caramel. That only takes a few minutes as well. Fast, easy, and delicious. My kind of recipe. My no bake caramel corn multiplies easily, making it perfect to feed a crowd in a flash. I once made enough for 50 people and not a crumb was left. I can’t tell you if it took longer for them to devour it or for me to make it.
The final result is sweet and salty with a great light, crisp texture and a soft blossoming flavor of toffee that makes it taste like gourmet salted caramel sauce that you slaved over {but I won’t spill the secret if you don’t}.
- 4 tb popcorn kernels, divided
- 1 c brown sugar
- ½ c unsalted butter
- ¼ c corn syrup/lyles golden syrup
- ½ ts salt
- ½ ts baking soda
- In 2 brown bags, divide the kernels evenly.
- Fold over the top 3 times and cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Every microwave is different so it’s most important to listen to the POP.
- In a heavy bottomed pot, stir the brown sugar, butter, syrup, and salt together. Heat on medium low. You can swirl the pan but never stir. When large bubbles begin to form on the surface, set the timer for exactly 5 minutes. Again, do not stir. When it’s ready, the mixture will be a deeper golden brown.
- Take the pot off the heat and quickly stir in the baking soda and pour over the popped corn in batches. Toss to coat.
- Allow to set for a few minutes then devour.
Love,
Your Squishy Monster ^.~
‹ How to Make Natural Gummy Worms No-Bake Cookie Dough + Truffles ›
Yay for caramel corn! Love how easy it is to throw this together!
This looks delicious!
Mmmmmm I love caramel corn too and this looks so simple and perfect!!!
Angie! WOW! How fun , easy and delicious! Thanks so much! Have a great day!!
Love.
Les.
Thanks, Les. I hope you’re having a great one!!
I love caramel corn but have never tried making my own. I can’t wait to try this recipe, yours looks so addictively good
Funny I was just wondering the other day if one can do popcorn not in the store bought bags. Looks yummy love quick caramel!
oh gosh, this post made me wanna see a rental movies or something….
This looks so delicious!
No bake? You’re my caramel corn hero! I know it’s not the healthiest thing I can eat but gosh it’s good.
I’m so happy you posted this. I was trying to think what I could take on my movie date this weekend. I’m totally making this. Wonderful recipe
I love caramel corn! I just bought a whole bunch of popcorn, and am eager to use it!
Easy, no-bake recipe, just my style.
ohhh I love this stuff! Wondering how long it would stay good?
caramel popcorn…then where is the prize inside? hahaha the prize is the popcorn in my belly!! hehe looks delicious Squishy. but can u do the same for the butter toffee? i like the crunch & munch alot!
This is so dangerously easy to make. I know it would be super addictive!
I must have this! It sounds incredibly delicious and easy to make!
I have never tried caramel corn before. It looks so good!
15 minutes for this tasty caramel popcorn?! So easy and addictive, indeed!
Gourmet Getaways
I’m sure that would be delicious! And yes, the treat is always me =)
Made it and it was delicious .
Thank you so very much for letting me know, Teresa. You’ve started my weekend off to a great start. I hope yours is excellent and filled with yummy food! =)
Thanks to you and your amazing recipe, I finally understand the function of baking soda. It is a amazing thing! I added walnut bits (and rainbow nonpareils) to my popcorn and it was delicious. Many thanks!
Thank YOU for sharing, Rosio! Much love =)
Made this and it was perfect! Thank you so much for sharing such an easy recipe
Thank YOU for letting me know, Glen! =)
May I ask why the caramel mixture can’t be stirred at all? Thanks!
Hi, Candace! You don’t want to risk crystallization from occurring before the syrup gets hot enough =)
This was great! I didn’t know caramel corn didn’t have to be baked in the oven lol
We made this in foods class and it was great. We added semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the popcorn after it was made, and added some vegetable oil. It was delicious!
Wow, that’s awesome. Thanks for kicking my weekend off to a great start. Huge hugs!!
Do you need the corn syrup
Or Lyles Golden syrup =)