Perfect for party favors, friends, and family; these ooey-gooey caramel popcorn balls are just DELICIOUS.
Making caramel popcorn balls.
As I’ve mentioned before we love family movie night! AND we love popcorn! We tend to trade off between flavors (candied, kettle, butter) but the one we make the MOST often is Caramel Popcorn!
We make it TWO ways, either cooled off and in a bowl, more on the crunchy side… OR more caramelly (what? caramelly is a word, right?) and soft and in BALL form!
The great thing about caramel popcorn balls is everyone get’s the same amount, no fighting… The BAD thing about it is they tend to be more messy… BUT hello… more CARAMEL!
I made a video showing how I create the caramel popcorn balls, they are actually super easy and a ton of fun, and something even the kiddo’s can help with.
And if your kids are anything like mine they LOVE to help in the kitchen. Sometimes the struggle is just finding something safe for them to help with!
So which way do you serve caramel popcorn? Gooey, caramelly, crunchy? There is NO WRONG ANSWER! The good news is you can have it both ways!
Go here to get the caramel popcorn ball labels (for neighbor gifts)!
Just take me to the popcorn ball recipe already!
If you’d rather skip my tips and tricks for getting perfect caramel popcorn balls, along with links to other caramel recipes and get straight to this delicious caramel treat – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
How to make gooey caramel popcorn
If you just want gooey popcorn, serve right after you add the caramel sauce to the popcorn. No need to let it get cold!
How to make caramel popcorn balls
For the popcorn balls, spread out the popcorn and wait for it to cool before touching. Caramel will stick and therefore burn you longer if you touch it too early.
Speaking of sticking, you’ll want to spray your hands with cooking spray when you start forming the balls.
Some of the balls might need to be stuck back together, so keep checking on your cooling caramel popcorn.
How to make crunchy caramel popcorn
If you want crunchy popcorn preheat your oven to 250. Spread the caramel popcorn out on a jelly roll pan and bake for 20-30 mins, stirring occasionally.
To make these popcorn balls you’ll need
- Candy thermometer (<- this one is my favorite)
- Popcorn popper
- Mixing bowl
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Jelly roll pan
Gooey caramel popcorn balls
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If you love caramel popcorn balls you’ll love these other gooey caramel recipes!
Connect with Ashlee Marie!
To watch me make these caramel balls with shortbread play the video in the recipe card (if you’re on desktop, it should be auto playing for you). You can find all my cooking show style recipe videos on YouTube, or my short recipe videos on Facebook Watch, or my Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
this ooey gooey caramel popcorn recipe is seriously the best! great flavor and easy to make
- 1 C butter
- 1 C light corn syrup
- 2 C packed light brown sugar
- ½ C granulated sugar
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 Tbsp vanilla
- 15-30 C popped popcorn less will be messier, and gooier, but I like it, more for a looser caramel popcorn
Bring the butter, syrup, and sugars to a boil, keep bubbling over med heat until it hits the softball stage (240 degrees – use a candy thermometer)
Add the sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla and boil 1 more min – let it cool a few mins so it doesn’t shrink the popcorn.
- pour over the popcorn and stir
use 2-3 batches of air popped popcorn for this – serve immediately
use 1 – 1 1/2 batches of air popped popcorn for these balls
spread the popcorn out and let it start too cool
- spray your hands with cooking spray and portion it out into 8 sections and ball up.
- Continue to check back and ball and turn until they cool enough that they stay in their ball forms
use 3 batches of popped popcorn for this – stir and coat as evenly as you can
IF you want crunchy popcorn preheat your oven to 250 – spread it out in a pan and place in the oven and bake for like 20-30 mins, stirring occasionally, until it crisps up
Katie
I love caramel corn,but for some reason I’ve never tried to make it. This recipe sounds so easy and good I think I’m going to have to give it a try. Thanks !
Ashlee
it’s SUPER easy, let me know what you think when you try it!
Carol Crill
Stinks that you didn’t actually give the recipe. Jumped through hoops to get the video. Cut off at every attempt to access the recipe.
Ashlee
I’m so sorry to hear that! you commented right on the post where the recipe is located so now I’m worried something is wrong! were you on mobile and had to click the “read more” button? did it not work?
Lee Ann
Thanks so much for posting this recipe! Sounds delicious! 🙂
Ashlee
It really is! But I’m addicted to caramel!
Jenny
Hey!
Thanks for this great recipe – will these work to make a head for a party? How many popcorn balls does this recipe make? I am excited to try this yummy recipe!
Ashlee
oh man, that’s a great questions! it depends on your ball size! I think I made 8 this size!
Maryann Stevens
These are the best popcorn balls that I have ever made. Chewy caramel, but not too sweet or hard like the ones that are made with marshmallows. Definitely worth making! Butter your hands!!!?
Ashlee
YAY! love hearing that! and yes very very VERY messy!
Olivia Vance
This recipe is to die for! Thank you SO much! I loved how easy and fast they were to make. I cut up some apples to wipe up the extra caramel with– amazing!
Ashlee
Mmmmm I pour any extra caramel on cake and ice cream, but apples is probably healthier!
jess
OMG!! ilove caramel popcorn sooooo good i cant wait to try this but can you send or coment a list of the ingredients??
Ashlee
I love it to, but I’m confused by your request? you wrote this comment on a page with all the ingredients and recipe listed right on this page! It even has a print button.
Wendy
Now that is funny. Awesome I love popcorn balls my mom used to make them for kids on Halloween instead of buying candy.
Debbie B
This is great thanks. I am going to make them into cone shapes so I can serve(or sell them) in a fun easy to handle cone shape. I have some wonderful paper cones tht is for shaved ice treats, they are just a bit bigger than normal and I can spray the inside lightly with cooking spray. Less mess on the hands.
Ashlee
sounds perfect!
constance emily
I’m going to make these. They look awesome! My question is, would it be ok to add peanuts to the carmel? Thank you
Ashlee
I’d add the peanuts after you pour the caramel over the popcorn, then mix them together!
Darlene Penna
You mentioned a neat way to get the Unpopped kernels out. Pls share.
Ashlee
there is a link in the video – here you go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7htrTJZd8w
Mary
Hi, Thanks for the recipe. In the video, you say “evaporated milk” but the ingredients list says condensed milk. I’m thinking it’s condensed milk? Could you confirm pls? Thanks
Ashlee
yup, which is why in the video I have words that come pop up and say ‘oops I meant condensed milk”
Abby
This looks super delicious! I’m going to give it a try with my siblings!
Ashlee
yay! let me know what you think! it’s a favorite of ours for sure!
Anita
Could this caramel be good for apples too??? Just thought I’d ask 🙂
Ashlee
sure!!! it is runnier than the caramel I use for carameled apples, but it could be good for drizzeling
Beep Bip
Do u need sweetens condensed milk?
Ashlee
yes, it’s an important part of the recipe
cookie
Hi,
I am from Canada. What is “karo syrup”?
Thank you
Marsha
Karo is a name brand of corn syrup
Ashlee
light corn syrup http://amzn.to/2ehtcPD
Tosha
Have you ever tried the caramel sauce with rice krispie treats instead?
janet
Thank you for the recipe and the great demo, that helped. The first time we made it we sizzled our hands.
Ashlee
I sometimes wonder if I even have nerve endings in my fingers after burning them so often – sorry about that!
janet
Where do you find the cute papers to wrap them in?
Ashlee
the plastic bags? just at Michael’s or joann’s – the labels? I designed – and offer them here http://ashleemarie.com/neighbor-christmas-gifts-labels-free-printables/
Susan
This looks awesome! Thanks for the video. And I love your hair 🙂
Ashlee
thank you so much! and I’m glad you liked it!
Jamie
How long will these stay fresh once made? How far ahead of time can I make them for gifts? Thanks!!
Ashlee
you can make them as gifts but not like DAYS ahead, one day in my opinion- some people might say longer, but I prefer my caramel super fresh
Lourdes Crespo
Great recipe!!! One question… The recipe asks for condensed milk or evaporated milk.? The ingredients in the printed says CONDENSED, but in the video, you say EVAPORATED.
Ashlee
in the video I said it wrong – I added a title over the top of that shot that said “oops condensed milk” – but the new end cards erased it – grrrr anyway condensed
Marcie
OMG!! SO I JUST MADE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER…AND IT IS AMAZING….I HAD TO POST MYSELF ON THE BACK AND GIVE A SHOT OUT TO YOU..LOL…YOUR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ARE AMAZING..
THANKS CAN’T WAIT TO TRY ANOTHER RECIPE
Ashlee
awww thank you so much! so glad you enjoyed it!
Janelle
super delicious! waiting for mine to cool now. is there a way to make them harden & keep their shape faster? putting mine in fridge before the party. what would you do?
Ashlee
you can use more popcorn and they’ll hold together quicker, but I like them goopier – so I just walk by and reshape every once in a while. but I don’t want mine hard – if you cook it a little longer the caramel will also be harder
Kathryn Dybwad
OMG, my Pastor said he wanted popcorn balls. His wife was busy cooking for the Christmas fellowship after service so my husband and I got together and made these. Actually used 12 cups of popped popcorn. Never made caramel popcorn balls these turned out awesome. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I will continue to use it!!!!!
Ashlee
yay! so glad you enjoyed them! and hope everyone else did too!
Penny
Ashlee, How many ounces of condensed milk? What sized can should I buy? Thank you.
Ashlee
I’ve never seen multiple sizes of sweetened condensed milk – 14 oz is all I’ve ever seen or used – does that help?
Londa Caldwell
I only have dark brown sugar. Will this work?
Ashlee
I’ve never tried it with dark brown sugar- the recipe should work just fine, but the flavor will be more molasses-y
Marty white
my first time to make them super easy but took more than 8 cups of popped corn more like 12 cups had to pop corn to add to the caramel but THEY ARE GOOD
Ashlee
My sister uses 12 cups, I like mine more caramel, I’ll make some notes.
Dreama
What is the trick for getting rid of kernels?
Ashlee
http://ashleemarie.com/get-kernels-out-popcorn/
Sandy
Hi Ashleemarie, I was looking for a cooking project to do with my granddaughter. Followed your recipe and video as directed. added 12 cups of popcorn and the balls were super soft and soggy. What did I do wrong? Thank you, Sandy
Ashlee
I’m so sorry to hear that. My guess would be that the caramel sauce wasn’t cooked quite enough. Did you adjust the candy thermometer to your altitude? also did it rain that day – barometer pressure is murder on candy making. AND sometimes candy making is just sensitive – every once in awhile it needs more or less popcorn!
Jo Ann Dill
I am curious about the reference for “IF you want crunchier popcorn balls.” If so, do you bake the popcorn before adding caramel mixture OR after?
EMERY OGILVIE
SOUNDS GOOD !