12 Homemade Caramel Corn & Popcorn Treats for Movie Night

Crunchy, buttery, sweet-salty — homemade caramel corn beats the bag every time. These twelve recipes start with perfect stovetop popcorn and take it everywhere: classic caramel, chocolate drizzles, holiday gift mixes, and savory-spiced versions for the salt lovers.

1. Classic Buttery Caramel Corn

Crisp, glossy, shattering caramel corn — the one everyone asks for.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 250°F; put popcorn in a large roasting pan.
2. Boil butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt 4 minutes without stirring.
3. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda and vanilla (it will foam).
4. Pour over popcorn and toss to coat.
5. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15.
6. Cool completely; it crisps as it cools.

2. Chocolate-Drizzled Caramel Corn

Classic caramel corn finished with dark chocolate and flaky salt.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Make caramel corn as in the classic recipe.
2. Cool completely.
3. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top.
4. Sprinkle with flaky salt.
5. Let chocolate set 20 minutes before serving.

3. Pecan Praline Caramel Corn

Southern praline meets caramel corn with buttery toasted pecans.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 250°F; mix popcorn and pecans in a roasting pan.
2. Boil butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt 4 minutes.
3. Stir in baking soda off the heat.
4. Coat the popcorn mixture and bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15.
5. Cool completely.

4. Cinnamon Churro Popcorn

Churro-spiced popcorn with a white chocolate drizzle.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Instructions

1. Toss warm popcorn with melted butter.
2. Toss with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
4. Cool 15 minutes until set.
5. Toss once more right before serving so every piece is coated.

5. Peanut Butter S'mores Popcorn Mix

Gooey marshmallow-peanut butter popcorn studded with chocolate and pretzels.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup mini pretzels

Instructions

1. Melt butter with marshmallows and peanut butter until smooth.
2. Pour over popcorn and toss.
3. Add chocolate chips and pretzels; toss gently.
4. Spread on a lined sheet to cool.
5. Break into clusters and serve.

6. Coconut Macadamia Caramel Corn

Tropical caramel corn with toasted coconut and buttery macadamias.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup shredded coconut, toasted
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 250°F.
2. Combine popcorn, coconut, and macadamias in a roasting pan.
3. Make caramel as in the classic recipe.
4. Coat and bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15.
5. Cool completely.

7. Garlic Parmesan Savory Popcorn

For the salt lovers: garlicky, cheesy, herby popcorn.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Toss warm popcorn with melted butter.
2. Sprinkle with parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss well and serve immediately.
4. Add an extra shower of parmesan just before serving.
5. Serve in a big bowl while still warm for maximum crunch.

8. Maple Walnut Caramel Corn

Deep maple flavor with crunchy toasted walnuts.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp maple extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 250°F; mix popcorn and walnuts in a roasting pan.
2. Boil butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and salt 4 minutes.
3. Stir in baking soda and maple extract off the heat.
4. Coat and bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15.
5. Cool completely.

9. Peppermint Bark Holiday Popcorn

Festive white-chocolate popcorn with crushed candy cane.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• White sprinkles

Instructions

1. Stir peppermint extract into melted white chocolate.
2. Pour over popcorn and toss to coat.
3. Add crushed candy canes and sprinkles; toss.
4. Spread on parchment to set 20 minutes.
5. Package in bags for gifting.

10. Sweet Heat Chili Popcorn

Smoky-sweet-spicy popcorn with serious snack-attack power.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne

Instructions

1. Toss warm popcorn with melted butter.
2. Mix brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and cayenne.
3. Sprinkle over popcorn and toss well.
4. Serve immediately.
5. Taste and add another pinch of cayenne if you like it hotter.

11. Cranberry White Chocolate Caramel Corn

Holiday gift-bag caramel corn with tart cranberries and white chocolate.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Make classic caramel corn.
2. Cool completely.
3. Toss with cranberries.
4. Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
5. Let set 20 minutes; package for gifts.

12. Honey Almond Caramel Corn

Honey-sweetened caramel corn with toasted almonds.

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 250°F; mix popcorn and almonds in a roasting pan.
2. Boil butter, honey, brown sugar, and salt 4 minutes.
3. Stir in baking soda and vanilla off the heat.
4. Coat and bake 40 minutes, stirring every 15.
5. Cool completely.