Finding the perfect snack for movie nights and family gatherings can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Between settling on something everyone will enjoy and avoiding those expensive store-bought treats, it’s easy to end up reaching for the same old chips and dip routine.
That’s why this Werther’s caramel popcorn copycat recipe has become my go-to solution: it’s budget-friendly, tastes just like the original, and brings that sweet, buttery goodness that makes everyone reach for seconds. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and store it for whenever those snack cravings strike.
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Popcorn
- Quick treat – Ready in just 30 minutes, this caramel popcorn is perfect for last-minute movie nights or sudden sweet cravings.
- Simple ingredients – With just 6 basic ingredients – including real Werther’s caramels – you can recreate this classic treat at home without any fancy equipment or hard-to-find items.
- Budget-friendly snack – Making your own caramel popcorn costs way less than store-bought versions, and you’ll get that fresh-made taste that can’t be beaten.
- Perfect texture – The baking soda creates tiny air bubbles in the caramel coating, giving you that light, crispy crunch that makes this snack so addictive.
What Kind of Popcorn Should I Use?
Mushroom popcorn kernels are the ideal choice for this caramel popcorn recipe because they pop into round, sturdy balls that hold up well under the weight of caramel coating. Unlike butterfly popcorn (the kind you typically get at movie theaters), mushroom popcorn doesn’t have irregular wings or pieces that can break off easily. You can find mushroom popcorn kernels online or in specialty food stores, but if you can only get your hands on regular butterfly popcorn kernels, those will work too – just be extra gentle when coating them with caramel. The most important thing is to make sure your kernels are fresh, as older popcorn tends to have more unpopped kernels and doesn’t expand as fully when popped.
Options for Substitutions
Making this sweet treat at home? Here are some helpful substitution tips:
- Mushroom popcorn kernels: Regular popcorn kernels work just fine here – mushroom kernels just give those nice round shapes. Any type of popping corn will taste great with the caramel coating.
- Coconut oil: You can swap coconut oil with any neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil for popping. Avoid olive oil as it has too strong a flavor.
- Werther’s Original caramels: While Werther’s gives that signature taste, other soft caramel candies will work too. Just make sure to use chewy caramels, not hard candies. Kraft caramels are a good alternative.
- Golden brown sugar: Regular brown sugar works perfectly fine – the difference in taste is minimal. In a pinch, you can even use white sugar mixed with a tiny drop of molasses.
- Baking soda: This is a must-have ingredient that can’t be substituted – it creates the right texture in the caramel coating, so don’t skip it!
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making caramel popcorn is burning the caramel – it can go from perfectly golden to bitter and burnt in seconds, so keep a close eye on those melting Werther’s candies and remove them from heat as soon as they’re fully melted.
Another common mistake is not working quickly enough once you’ve added the baking soda, as the caramel will start to harden – have your popped corn ready in a large bowl and pour the caramel mixture over immediately while stirring constantly.
To prevent clumping, make sure your popcorn is completely free of unpopped kernels before adding the caramel, and spread the coated popcorn on parchment paper right away to cool (not wax paper, which can stick).
For the crispiest results, let the popcorn cool completely before breaking it apart, and store it in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture that could make it sticky.
What to Serve With Caramel Popcorn?
Caramel popcorn is such a fun snack that works perfectly for movie nights or casual get-togethers! Since this sweet treat can be quite rich, I like to set up a snack board with some salty alternatives to balance things out. Try serving it alongside plain buttered popcorn, some roasted nuts, or even pretzel sticks for that sweet-and-salty combo everyone loves. For drinks, hot chocolate or cold milk pairs wonderfully with this caramel-coated treat, especially on cozy evenings in.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This caramel popcorn stays perfectly crunchy when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll keep its best texture for about 5-7 days, though in my house it rarely lasts that long! Just make sure it’s completely cool before storing to maintain that nice crunch.
Package: Want to give this as a gift? Pack it in cellophane bags or mason jars with a tight-fitting lid. It makes such a nice homemade treat for friends and family, and looks really cute with a simple ribbon tied around the container!
Note: I don’t recommend freezing this caramel popcorn as the moisture from freezing can make it lose its crunch. Also, try to avoid storing it in humid environments, as this can make the caramel coating get sticky.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 5-10 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons golden brown sugar
- 1/4 cup mushroom popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 12 werther’s original chewy caramels
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Set aside a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
This will be used later to spread the popcorn kernels evenly for baking, ensuring they don’t stick to the sheet.
Step 2: Melt Caramels in Coconut Oil
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the coconut oil.
Add Werther’s Original caramels to the melted oil, stirring continuously until the caramels are fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
This creates a rich caramel base for your popcorn.
Step 3: Incorporate Butter, Sugar, and Baking Soda
Once the caramels have melted, add the butter to the saucepan and stir until it is completely melted.
Gradually add in the light brown sugar and baking soda, stirring until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
Step 4: Coat and Bake the Popcorn
Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the popcorn kernels that are spread on the prepared baking sheet.
Ensure that all the kernels get a good coating.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and bake the caramel-coated popcorn for about 10 minutes.
This will allow the caramel to set and the popcorn to become crisp.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, remove the popcorn from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet.
Once cooled, the popcorn is ready to be enjoyed.
Break any large clusters apart if necessary and savor this delicious caramel popcorn treat!