• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Snacks > Popcorn

    Homemade Honey Caramel Corn

    Published: Oct 9, 2019 · Modified: Jan 18, 2020 by Melissa · 3 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    honey carmel popcorn in a white bowl

    This Honey Caramel Corn recipe is a sweet and slightly salty snack that you will LOVE munching on any day of the week. And it's so easy to make!

    honey caramel corn

    Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe without Corn Syrup

    Anyone else in love with salty-sweet combos? *raises hand* I just think it's one of those combinations that will forever be a classic in my heart. It's why peanut butter and chocolate go so well together, or coarse salt on top of watermelon (trust me, just try it). This honey caramel corn is no different. The caramelized honey sauce is rich without being TOO sweet, and you have the option to add salt on top of the popcorn, which you already know I highly recommend.

    It's dreamy and beyond easy to throw together when you want a fun snack that's a little outside the box (or the store-bought popcorn bag). As someone who is used to feeding five little ones, too, anytime I can create a simple snack that everyone loves is a majorly enormous win... And this accomplishes all that, and then some (because mama is over here happy snacking on it, too).

    healthy caramel corn

    What happens if you forget the baking soda in caramel corn?

    Baking soda creates small carbon dioxide air bubbles in the caramel by reacting with the acid. It's what makes the caramel sauce appear foamy, and then when you caramel corn cools, the air bubbles help it maintain a soft texture.

    crispy baked caramel corn with healthy honey

    What is the difference between caramel corn and kettle corn?

    Caramel corn was historically sweetened with molasses (although this recipe uses honey), and nowadays it's made by pouring hot caramel over popcorn. Kettle corn is tossed with some salt and sugar for a different sweet-savory flavor profile!

    Can caramel corn be frozen?

    You can certainly freeze caramel corn -- just bag it and store it in the freezer for several months! You can also store it in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. Just be careful when thawing. If there's condensation (moisture) in the bag, it'll make it soggy. Just open the bag a bit so it can air out if needed.

     

    caramel corn made with honey

     

    Honey caramel corn

     

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    honey caramel corn, browned and looking like its full of flavor in three white bowls

    Honey Caramel Corn


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: Makes 8 cups 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This Honey Caramel Corn recipe is a sweet and slightly salty snack that you will LOVE munching on any day of the week. And it's so easy to make!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • ½ cup  un-popped popping corn, or about 8 cups popped popcorn
    • ¼ cup honey
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
    • Coarse salt, optional

    Instructions

    1. Pop your corn, place it in a medium bowl, and pick out all of the un-popped kernels so you won't break your teeth later.
    2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F., and line baking sheet with parchment paper or butter, or spray the parchment so the popcorn won't stick.
    3. In a medium saucepan, melt honey and butter over medium heat until it starts to boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring very often. Don't boil over high heat, as the honey will burn.
    4. Take off of the heat, and add vanilla, baking soda, and cinnamon if you are using it. It will bubble up and look all foamy.
    5. Drizzle over popcorn, and stir to combine. Spread onto baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt, about ½ teaspoon.
    6. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes until golden, but don't over-bake because it will burn.
    7. Stir after you take it out of the oven or it will all stick together in one big lump.
    8. Cool slightly and then enjoy.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Snack
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: caramel corn, caramel corn recipe, homemade caramel corn, how to make caramel corn, easy caramel corn recipe, best caramel corn recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    honey caramel corn healthy recipe Honey Caramel Corn pouring into pan

    More popcorn recipes:

    • Cinnamon Caramel Corn with White Chocolate and Pecans
    • The Best Caramel Dip
    • Gooey Caramel Corn
    • Cheesy Chili Lime Popcorn
    • How to Pop Popcorn in a Paper Bag in the Microwave
    • Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn with Chocolate

    This post was originally published in 2010, and has been updated and rephotographed in October 2019.

    This healthy caramel corn recipe is so fun and simple to make for a movie night snack, when friends come over, or for the kids to take to school to share with their class on a holiday or birthday!

    « 5 Fall Crafts for Kids
    Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
      Recipe Rating




    1. Mariana

      December 15, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      Love it.! And my daughter loves it. I never thought I’d have the chance to eat caramel popcorn again. This sure beats any of that store-bought stuff. I look forward to playing with that recipe by adding different nuts and flavors.
      By the way, I like the name of your website: bless my mess too, please....

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        December 16, 2019 at 12:04 pm

        Bless this Mess indeed! And I think you are right, you have a lot of options, you could add pecans, a little cinnamon, and some white chocolate!

    2. Ben and Lachelle

      September 04, 2010 at 2:55 pm

      Ann makes this... it's really yummy.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • bowl of hummus with red spice on top
      How to Make Hummus
    • close up of a slice of french silk pie
      French Silk Pie
    • top view of a sliced loaf of cinnamon bread sliced half way
      Cinnamon Babka
    • slow cooker and a ladle with taco soup
      Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter