Caramel popcorn recipe without corn syrup and baking soda

I was never really a fan of caramel corn until I modified a recipe I found to create this caramel corn recipe without corn syrup. While delivering items from her school fundraiser, my ‘sweets loving’ toddler begged for some of the caramel corn. Obviously I couldn’t give her other people’s items, so I found myself having to make it at home. I didn’t have a few of the items that traditional caramel corn recipes called for like real vanilla extract, corn syrup or real butter, so I made do with what I did have. And that is how I ended up with some delicious, corn syrup, gluten and dairy free caramel corn! Of course we had to add sprinkles too…

After making this delectable treat, I had an epiphany. Instead of making a bajillion Christmas cookies to give to friends and neighbors this year, I will make caramel corn! Adding cute holiday sprinkles and packing it in a festive container will not only be super cute but also insanely easy! Also, caramel corn is gluten free! Adding some gluten free sprinkles as well will make all your gluten intolerant friends so happy too!

Shopping List for this Caramel Corn Recipe:

• Popcorn **Use my How to Make Epic Stovetop Popcorn recipe for best results!
• Salt 
• Salted Butter (or plant based butter)
• Light brown sugar 
• Vanilla extract (or imitation vanilla)
• Baking soda
• Sprinkles (optional)

Equipment Needed for this recipe:

• Sauce pan
• Mixing bowl

How to make caramel corn without corn syrup:

1. Make popcorn, salt and set aside. **Use my How to Make Epic Stovetop Popcorn recipe for best results!
2. Heat butter in saucepan over medium heat until melted.
3. Add the brown sugar and whisk until well incorporated.
4. Continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil.
5. Once boiling, allow mixture to simmer over medium heat for 3.5 minutes.
6. Stir in the vanilla at the 3.5 minute mark and continue to let simmer for 1 minute.
7. Stir in baking soda.
8. Once the baking soda begins to activate and the caramel changes consistency, remove from heat. **Should only take a few seconds.
9. Stir a few more times off the heat before drizzling over popcorn.
10. Gently mix until coated.
11. Pour popcorn out onto a Silpat liner.
12. Sprinkle with sprinkles if using and allow to cool.
13. Enjoy!
14. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.

Tips for making this caramel corn recipe:

• Stovetop popped popcorn works best with this recipe but air popped and microwave popcorn work as well too.

• Make sure the popcorn is room temperature before adding caramel to it to prevent wilting.

• If making dairy free, substitute the butter with the use of a plant based butter (preferably olive oil based). **I prefer to use Country Crock Plant Based olive oil butter that you can find at Wal-Mart!

• Imitation vanilla works just as well and is SO much cheaper!

Insanely simple caramel corn recipe without corn syrup that can also be made dairy free! Super fun to make and such a fun and creative gift idea!

Prep Time 1 min

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 6 mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 3

Calories 140 kcal

• Sauce pan

• Mixing bowl

• 6 c Popped popcorn
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 c Salted Butter
• 1/2 c Light brown sugar packed
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tbsp Sprinkles optional

• Make popcorn, salt and set aside.

• Heat butter in saucepan over medium heat until melted.

• Add the brown sugar and whisk until well incorporated.

• Continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil.

• Once boiling, allow mixture to simmer over medium heat for 3.5 minutes.

• Stir in the vanilla at the 3.5 minute mark and continue to let simmer for 1 minute.

• Stir in baking soda.

• Once the baking soda begins to activate and the caramel changes consistency, remove from heat. **Should only take a few seconds.

• Stir a few more times off the heat before drizzling over popcorn.

• Gently mix until coated.

• Pour popcorn out onto a Silpat liner.

• Sprinkle with sprinkles if using and allow to cool.

• Enjoy!

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.

**Stovetop popped popcorn works best with this recipe but air popped and microwave popcorn work as well too.

**Make sure the popcorn is room temperature before adding caramel to it to prevent wilting.

**If making dairy free, substitute the butter with the use of a plant based butter (preferably olive oil based).

**Imitation vanilla works just as well and is SO much cheaper!

Keyword caramel, caramel corn, caramel popcorn, popcorn

Related Posts:

How to Make Epic Stovetop Popcorn

20 Christmas Gifts for Toddlers Under $20

Saint Nicholas Day | Creative Small Gifts for Kids

Please let me know what you think about this super easy caramel corn recipe without corn syrup in the comments!