Caramel Popcorn without Corn Syrup
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Sweet & salty caramel popcorn without corn syrup is a classic treat for movie nights, sports games, and holiday potlucks. And my simplified homemade version is made with just 5 ingredients, in about half an hour. And quick bake in the oven ensures it stays crispy, not soggy.
Ingredients
Vegan Caramel Sauce
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Popcorn
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil (or vegetable oil or canola oil)
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Make the Vegan Caramel Sauce
- Melt the butter on medium-low heat in a sauce pan. Stir in the brown sugar and salt until it is smooth, after 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let the caramel sauce cool and thicken. Store in the fridge in an airtight container if you're not using it right away.
Make the Caramel Popcorn
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a metal bowl, large pot, or Dutch oven, add the coconut oil, and two single popcorn kernels. Turn the stove on to medium-high heat. Once the first popcorn kernel pops, the oil is hot enough. Add all of the popcorn kernels and immediately cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Wearing oven mitts to protect your hands, shake the bowl, pot, or Dutch oven vigorously back and forth. Keep shaking until there is a three second pause in between each pop.
- Remove from the heat and let it sit still covered for an additional 20 seconds, in case any last kernels pop. Remove the lid or foil and season with salt.
- Pour the cooled caramel sauce onto the popcorn and stir to fully coat the popcorn.
- Spread out the caramel popcorn onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes, until the caramel corn is crunchy. Enjoy!!
Now is a good time to pick out any un-popped kernels you see, since biting into a kernel can be painful!
Notes
- Prep: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper easier cleanup.
- Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point like coconut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil
- Popcorn: You can use microwave popcorn in place of stovetop popcorn.
- Reheat: To reheat leftover popcorn, bake it for 5 minutes in the oven at 250°F, spread out on a baking sheet.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving (of 8)Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 1gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.04gSodium: 367mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 401IUCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.4mg
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