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This homemade caramelized popcorn is the perfect sweet and crunchy treat—great for movie nights, parties, or snacking. Made with just 3 ingredients, it’s easy to customize and far better than store-bought versions.
Ingredients (Serves 2-3)
- 1 cup popcorn kernels
- Oil (olive, sunflower, or corn) – enough to coat the pan
- 1 cup granulated sugar
(Optional Add-Ins: A pinch of salt, cinnamon, or vanilla extract for extra flavor!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Pop the Corn
- Heat a large, deep pan over medium heat.
- Add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom (about 2 tbsp).
- Test the oil by adding 3 kernels—when they pop, the oil is ready.
- Add 1/3 cup popcorn kernels (don’t overcrowd the pan).
- Cover with a lid and shake occasionally until popping slows (about 2-3 sec between pops).
2. Caramelize the Sugar
- Once popped, remove the lid and immediately sprinkle 1/3 cup sugar over the popcorn.
- Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, making enveloping motions to coat evenly.
- Keep stirring over medium heat until the sugar melts and turns golden (about 2-3 mins).
3. Cool & Serve
- Quickly transfer to a large bowl or parchment-lined tray to cool.
- Break apart any clumps while still warm.
- Repeat in batches until all kernels are used.
Pro Tips for Perfect Popcorn
Control the Heat – Too high = burnt sugar; too low = sticky popcorn.
Extra Flavor? Add 1 tbsp butter with the sugar for a richer taste.
Sweet & Salty? Sprinkle with sea salt after caramelizing.
Spiced Version? Toss with cinnamon or pumpkin spice after cooking.
Why This Recipe Works
No candy thermometer needed – Just stir and watch!
Crispy, not sticky – Proper caramelization keeps it crunchy.
Endlessly customizable – Add nuts, chocolate drizzle, or spices.
Serving Ideas
Movie Night – Serve in big bowls with napkins.
Holiday Gifts – Pack in cellophane bags with ribbon.
Dessert Upgrade – Drizzle with melted chocolate.
Final Thoughts
This Caramelized Popcorn is a simple yet impressive treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to microwave popcorn!
What add-ins will you try? Let us know how it turns out!
More Easy TikTok Recipes to Try:
- 4-Ingredient Heath Toffee Cookies – A sweet and crunchy treat that’s ready in no time!
- Fruity Pebbles Cookies – Fun, colorful, and perfect for dessert lovers.
- TikTok Baked Feta Pasta
- TikTok Potato Bake
Caramelized Popcorn: Crispy, Sweet, and Irresistible!
Description
This homemade caramelized popcorn is the perfect sweet and crunchy treat—great for movie nights, parties, or snacking. Made with just 3 ingredients, it’s easy to customize and far better than store-bought versions.
Ingredients
1 cup popcorn kernels (for 2 or 3 people)
Olive, sunflower or corn oil
1 cup of sugar
Instructions
1. To begin, pour the oil into the pan until it covers the bottom of it, but making sure it is not too much. Place over medium heat and wait until it is very hot. Once hot, add the popcorn kernels, making sure you are not adding too much as there must be room in the pan for the popcorn to pop and to caramelize it later. It is very likely that you will have to prepare your sweet popcorn in two or three batches, everything will depend on the size of your pan.
2. Once you have placed the grains in the pan, cover them until they burst. Be careful and wait until almost all of them have burst before opening the lid. At that point you must add the proportional part of sugar with respect to the amount of grains you have added and begin to stir so that the sugar covers all the popcorn. Make enveloping movements while the heat caramelizes the sugar. Once the popcorn is caramelized, remove the pan from the heat and place it in a container.
3. Repeat the process as many times as necessary so that you can prepare the entire cup of corn kernels. Remember that it is very important to work over medium heat and never high and stir once you add the sugar to achieve a good caramelization
