• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grumpy's Honeybunch
  • Grumpy's Honeybunch Recipes
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Low Carb Keto Recipes
  • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Videos
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Shop
    • Contact
    • Videos
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Dessert Recipes » Candy Recipes

    Caramel Popcorn Balls

    Published: Feb 22, 2015 Last updated: Sep 8, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Sharing is caring!

    1892 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    These caramel popcorn balls are gooey, buttery, and chewy. This popcorn ball recipe is so easy to make and it is perfect for Halloween or parties of any kind. Make this tasty treat today to share with the ones you love!
    Featured image for Caramel Popcorn Balls.
    Sweet and Salty Caramel Popcorn Balls

    This popcorn recipe for Caramel Popcorn Balls is chewy, sweet, and salty. They are the best and easiest gooey popcorn balls ever and they are perfect for fall gatherings, halloween, or anytime you want a sweet and salty snack.

    Sweet and Salty Popcorn Balls
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love it
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 🏫 The last word
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Top Tips
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love it

    • The gray sea salt sprinkling over top puts this popcorn recipe at the top of all its competitors.
    • It is the easiest popcorn balls recipe to make, they are literally a no-fail recipe
    • They are perfect treat for fall parties, halloween, and christmas parties.
    Ingredients for Caramel Popcorn Balls.
    Just a few simple ingredients to make these caramel popcorn balls!

    🥘 Ingredients

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links.

    Popped popcorn kernels, I love this brand.

    Sweetened condensed milk. Since the entire can is not being used, I recommend purchasing it in a squeeze bottle for convenience sake.

    Brown sugar, light brown sugar is best for keeping the color light and still adding the caramelized flavor.

    Vanilla extract for flavor enhancement.

    Grey sea salt to sprinkle over the popcorn balls (optional but delicious!)

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Air pop or stove-top pop the popcorn kernels. For 10 cups of corn, you will need ½ cup popcorn kernels. 
    2. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl making sure there are no unpopped kernels in the bowl. Set aside.
    3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Combine sugar and corn syrup with butter. Bring caramel mixture to a boil.
    4. Add the sweetened condensed milk and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Stir they syrup constantly to prevent scorching.
    5. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
    6. Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and stir gently to coat completely. Set mixture aside to cool about 5 minutes.
    7. Scoop out about ¼ cup measure of popcorn mixture and shape into balls. Place on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with fleur de sel.
    Sweteened condensed milk measured out in a liquid measure.
    The sweetened condensed milk and karo syrup are the secret to giving these popcorn balls their caramel flavor and chewy gooey texture.
    Stirring the caramel syrup with a wooden spoon
    Be sure to stir the syrup constantly the entire 5 minute cook time. You don't want it to burn.
    Pouring vanilla extract into the caramel syrup.
    Carefully pour the extract into the hot syrup, it will bubble up fast and steam.
    Pouring caramel over popped corn.
    Be sure to remove any unpopped corn kernels from the bowl before pouring the syrup over it.

    🥄 Equipment

    Medium saucepan (2-4 quarts), 

    ​Large mixing bowl (will hold 10 cups)

    Wooden spoon for stirring the caramel sauce

    Silicone spatula, to scrape the saucepan clean of caramel sauce.

    Air Popper for popping the popcorn

    🥫Storage

    I like to store these popcorn balls in an airtight container or individually in a bag at room temperature up to 2 weeks (if they last that long!).

    📖 Variations

    • Add chopped nuts to the popcorn mixture.
    • Sprinkle the popcorn balls with some colored jimmies
    • Drizzle with white chocolate and sprinkles
    • Dip ½ of the ball in milk or dark chocolate
    • Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper into the syrup mixture to for a sweet hot popcorn ball
    Sweet and Salty Caramel Popcorn Balls cooling on parchment paper.
    Allow the popcorn balls to cool completely before storing.

    💭 Tips

    • Remove any unpopped popcorn kernels from the bowl before adding the syrup. 
    • To prevent the syrup from burning, stir constantly the entire 5 minutes of boiling time.
    • Don't go over the 5 minute cooking time as you take the chance of hardening the syrup.
    • The vanilla extract will bubble quickly when added to the syrup, so be careful when stirring it in.
    • To prevent the caramel from sticking to your hands, rub some butter on your hands before shaping the popcorn balls.
    • To prevent burning your hands, don't be in a hurry to shape the popcorn ball

    📚 Related Recipes

    Pumpkin Spice Caramel Corn Snack Mix is another sweet popcorn recipe that I love to make for Halloween!

    Love fudge? Try this Halloween Candy Corn Fudge Recipe!

    Kids and adults alike will love to gobble down these Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats!

    Grown-Up Halloween Party for more fun ideas.

    Caramel Popcorn Balls overhead view.
    These popcorn balls make a sweet treat for family and friends!

    🏫 The last word

    I can't stress how easy these popcorn balls are to make. If you have been popcorn ball challenged, then this is the recipe to try. The magic ingredient that makes these so gooey and also easy to make is the sweetened condensed milk. They are a fun treat and everyone loves them!

    *If you made this recipe, please give it a star rating!*

    📖 Recipe

    Featured image for Caramel Popcorn Balls.

    Caramel Popcorn Balls

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    These caramel popcorn balls are gooey, buttery, and chewy. This popcorn ball recipe is so easy to make and it is perfect for Halloween or parties of any kind. Make this tasty treat today to share with the ones you love!
    4.45 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Candy
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 222 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    • ½ cup corn syrup
    • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 10 cups air popped popcorn
    • grey sea salt for sprinkling

    Instructions
     

    • Place popcorn in a large bowl making sure there are no unpopped popcorn kernels in the bowl. Set aside until syrup is ready.
    • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Combine sugar and corn syrup with butter. Bring caramel mixture to a boil.
    • Add sweetened condensed milk and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent scorching.
    • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
    • Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and stir gently to coat completely. Set mixture aside to cool about 5 minutes.
    • Scoop out about ¼ cup measure of popcorn mixture and shape into balls. Place on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with fleur de sel.
    • Store in airtight container at room temperature.

    Notes

    Top Tips

    • Be sure to remove any unpopped popcorn kernels from the bowl. 
    • Once the syrup has come to a boil, immediately add the sweetened condensed milk, then stir constantly the entire 5 minutes of boiling time. Not stirring constantly causes the syrup to burn.
    • Start a timer for 5 minutes as soon as the sweetened condensed milk is added to the syrup. Don't go over the 5 minute cooking time as you take the chance of hardening the syrup.
    • As soon as the 5 minutes is up, slowly pour the vanilla extract into it. The vanilla extract will bubble quickly when added so be careful when stirring it in so you don't spatter yourself with hot syrup.
    • Use cooking spray or butter on your hands when shaping the popcorn balls. This will prevent the syrup from sticking to your hands.
    • Don't be too anxious to start shaping the popcorn balls. Make sure to let it cool down enough to not burn your hands when shaping.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1popcorn ballCalories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 31mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 169IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 0.4mgNet Carbohydrates: 42g
    Keyword Caramel Popcorn Balls, Popcorn Ball Recipe, Popcorn Balls, Salted Caramel Popcorn Balls
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

    More Candy Recipes

    • Mint Chocolate Truffles
    • Chipotle Peanut Brittle
    • Christmas Crack
    • Easy Chocolate Fudge with Irish Cream

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbie

      October 27, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      Can you use fine sea salt? I cannot find the grey seal salt in our stores

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        October 28, 2021 at 5:24 pm

        Hi Barbie, Yes, you can sprinkle lightly with fine sea salt, or leave it off entirely. Shelby

        Reply
    2. Vanessa

      December 28, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      Thanks for sharing! How far ahead of time can I make them?

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        January 01, 2021 at 7:19 am

        Hi Vanessa, my apologies, I am just seeing your question this morning. These will last a good 2 weeks on the counter (if you can resist eating) them!)

        Reply
        • Linda Brockmiller

          October 24, 2021 at 10:45 pm

          Can you use Microwave popcorn?

        • Shelby Law Ruttan

          October 25, 2021 at 2:27 pm

          Hi Linda, you can, but I would be sure it was not a heavily seasoned or buttered popcorn. Shelby

    3. Yvonne [Tried and Tasty]

      March 01, 2015 at 5:54 am

      I love caramel corn, this looks like it would fit my taste just perfectly!

      Reply
    4. Sarah Reid

      March 01, 2015 at 4:02 am

      I love popcorn in all different ways, I have to try this!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, author and content creator at Grumpy's Honeybunch. She is self taught in the kitchen and has been sharing keto low carb recipes and family recipes since 2007.

    More about me →

    Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
    Southern Sweet Potato Pie

    Trending Recipes

    • Keto Chicken Nuggets with Canned Chicken
    • Baked Red Snapper Recipe with Garlic Topping
    • Air Fryer Roast Beef with Herb Crust
    • Hot Fireball Apple Cider Toddy
    • Crockpot Venison Stew - Warm and Hearty
    • Mom's Rhubarb Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Privacy Policy

    Terms and Conditions of Use

    Accessibility Statement

    As Featured In:

    Contact Shelby

    Contact

    Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    1892 shares