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 three ways – these caramel popcorn balls, or more loose gooey popcorn or baked and crunchy popcorn!
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 caramel popcorn balls
For the popcorn balls pour the sauce over 1 – 1/ 1/2 batches of popcorn. Stir then let the popcorn cool enough to touch it without burning your hands.
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 gooey caramel popcorn
If you just want gooey popcorn pour over 2-3 batches of popcorn stir and serve. The more popcorn the less messy.
How to make crunchy caramel popcorn
If you want crunchy popcorn use 3 batches of popped popcorn. preheat your oven to 250.
Spread the caramel popcorn out on a jelly roll pan and bake for 20-30 mins, stirring occasionally. Then let it cool and break up the chunks.
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
If you love these caramel popcorn balls as much as we do, please leave a 5 star review and be sure to share on Facebook and Pinterest! If you want to stay updated on new recipes sign up for my newsletter and join my Facebook Group!
If you love caramel popcorn balls you’ll love these other gooey caramel recipes!
Salted Caramel Cheesecake | Caramel Brownies | Cheeescake Nachos with Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Caramel Tart | Buttery Homemade Caramel | Caramel Marshmallow
To watch me make this caramel popcorn play the video in the recipe card. There will also be a short teaser auto playing.
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.
Caramel Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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
popcorn balls
- 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
gooey caramel popcorn
- use 2-3 batches of air popped popcorn for this – serve immediately
crunchy caramel popcorn
- 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?
Rhonda
The popcorn ball recipe is there. Mo problem.
How do you make the crunchier popcorn not in a ball?
Ashlee Marie
for crunchy popcorn I use 3 batches of popped popcorn – 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
Julie Peterson
The recipe was just above the video, I got it and can’t wait to make them for
My grandkids! Thanks
Merry Guerrero
Hi Ashlee,
I have a question. What is the best way to store them after they are made and how long will they stay fresh? I would love to make these 2 days ahead of my trip to visit my daughters. Just wondering.
Thank you so much for the recipe!
Ashlee Marie
I’d wrap them up tight in plastic wrap and yes they should last a few days just fine
Mary Robinson
Hi Ashlee where can I purchase the cute plastic bags with the tie?
Ashlee Marie
I got mine at a local store, I bet walmart would have some, or amazon of course https://amzn.to/2OoMuGd then I bought bakers twine
Sheila
The recipe was shown when I scrolled down. No problems. It looks fabulous and I hope to make it soon!
Edi Teipel
Recipe was right there for me.
However, I am actually looking for a recipe I used once yeeeaaars ago when my kids were small. Now they are middle aged…
The popcorn balls were made with jelly powder. Heated in the microwave.
But I cannot remember the details. Did I warm the powder till it liquefied, or before making a strong liquid dilution and then heat it in the microwave?
They hardened crispy when they cooled off and were absolutely delicious
And with different flavours and colours they are vibrant and exciting to serve at a kiddies party
Ashlee Marie
I’ve never heard of using jelly powder for caramel popcorn, but I do have instructions for making crispy caramel popcorn in the recipe card.
Beverly
Sometimes to get the recipe I have to open it in SAFARI. I fobtgat then the recipe comes up. Not all the time.
Renae Cruz
The recipe is right above! Super delicious!
Judy mayes
Looks really easy grandkids r making it tonight instead of cookies!!
Kelli r
Do u use salted or unsalted butter and same question for popcorn? I can see either it being great
Ashlee Marie
unsalted butter
Tori
Omg I just made these and they are amazing.
Donna
how did you get the kernels out of the popcorn I did not see that trick please advise
Ashlee Marie
here you go https://ashleemarie.com/get-kernels-out-popcorn/
Linda
I made these at Christmas time – Kept adding popcorn until they were not quite so sticky. Sent some to grandchildren, lady in nursing home and froze some. They freeze really well and grandchildren that stopped by later really liked them. (My husband and I ate our share).
The best popcorn balls ever.
Ashlee Marie
You are so sweet! I’m glad they were such a hit!
Lee Ann
Thanks so much for posting this recipe! Sounds delicious! 🙂
Ashlee
It really is! But I’m addicted to caramel!
LOUISE CALL
Hi, I made this and it was so good. My question is, how do i make them so it isn’t so sticky. It was still so sticky the nest day or two. I want to make it so it does get hard and crunchy. I want to make the balls and also just to eat it not making it a ball. I sell them at craft shows. Can you please e-mail today (8-3-17) as I am making these today..Thank you
Ashlee Marie
for crunchy popcorn I use 3 batches of popped popcorn – 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
Vickiebusterna
I love popcorn balls …but IAM Vickie busterna…i know they going 2 b great
angela.tingle@yahoo.com
I can’t see the recipe?????
Ashlee Marie
its at the bottom of the post – in the blue box
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!
Melissa
Does it keep well ? Or to be eaten right away
Ashlee Marie
they should last a few days!
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!
Marsha Allen
Have you tried adding something like pretzels and M&M’s … and thoughts here?
Ashlee Marie
I have – and love it!
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
Nancy Hinds
Well Done! I love short videos… Great idea – love the hair and I am making these. We will each get one and then I will find some kiddos to eat the rest.
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
DEBBIE MULLINS
CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR CARAMEL APPLE RECIPE. DEBBIE MULLINS
Ashlee Marie
I use this caramel recipe for caramel apples https://ashleemarie.com/buttery-homemade-caramel/
tammy bolin -larue
to make it thicker for dipping etc…cook the caramel longer….love this …
Ashlee Marie
for dipping I’d make a different caramel recipe https://ashleemarie.com/buttery-homemade-caramel/
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!
Carrie C
I say that i have asbestos fingers, i flip meat in the pan or oven, i can grab baked potatoes.
I personally think that’s not right, like there’s something wrong, but you know it’s also great for kitchen work.
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