Looking for a sweet treat that brings back childhood memories? These caramel corn pops treats have become my go-to when I need something quick and fun. I started making them when my kids asked for something different than the usual rice crispy treats, and now they’re a regular request in our house.
The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients sitting in your pantry right now. I love recipes that don’t require a special trip to the store, especially when the kids are asking for something sweet after dinner. Plus, they come together in just minutes – perfect for those times when you need a last-minute snack for movie night or a playdate.
If you grew up loving those sweet, crunchy corn pops for breakfast, you’re going to absolutely love this twist. It’s like your favorite cereal got dressed up for a party, and everyone’s invited.
Why You’ll Love These Caramel Corn Pops Treats
- Quick preparation – These treats come together in just 20-30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute snacking or when the kids need something sweet.
- 4-ingredient recipe – With just cereal, caramel, butter, and salt, you probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already.
- Kid-friendly fun – This recipe puts a sweet twist on regular Corn Pops cereal that kids absolutely love – perfect for parties, after-school snacks, or weekend treats.
- No-bake convenience – You don’t even need to turn on the oven, which makes this treat perfect for hot summer days or when you want to avoid heating up the kitchen.
What Kind of Caramel Should I Use?
When it comes to making these treats, individually wrapped caramel squares (sometimes called caramel cubes) are your best bet. You’ll find these in the candy aisle, with Kraft being the most common brand, though store brands work just as well. While you might be tempted to use caramel sauce or caramel bits, stick with the squares – they’re specifically made to melt smoothly and maintain the right consistency when cooled. If you can’t find squares, caramel bits (the little round ones made for baking) are your next best option, but you’ll want to reduce the melting time slightly since they’re smaller. Just make sure to unwrap all your caramel squares before you start melting them – it’ll make the process much smoother and prevent any last-minute fumbling with wrappers while your butter is melting.
Options for Substitutions
Here are some helpful swaps if you need to make adjustments to this sweet treat:
- Corn Pops cereal: If you can’t find Corn Pops, try using Honey Smacks or even plain puffed corn cereal. Rice Krispies can work too, though the texture will be crunchier. Just keep the measurements the same.
- Caramel squares: No caramel squares? You can use about 2 cups of caramel bits instead. In a pinch, you could even melt down soft caramel candies, though they might be a bit harder to work with.
- Unsalted butter: If you only have salted butter, that’s fine – just skip the added salt in the recipe. You can also use margarine, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
- Salt: Regular table salt works just fine here, but if you’re feeling fancy, sea salt or kosher salt are nice options too. If using kosher salt, you might want to add a pinch extra since the crystals are larger.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making caramel corn pops treats is burning the caramel – heat it slowly over medium-low heat and stir constantly, removing it from the heat as soon as it’s smooth and fully melted. Another common mistake is trying to press the mixture into the pan while it’s too hot, which can lead to a sticky mess – let it cool for just 1-2 minutes after mixing with the cereal, then use a piece of parchment paper or buttered hands to press it into your pan. For the best texture and to prevent your treats from becoming rock-hard, avoid overcooking the caramel and butter mixture – once it starts to bubble around the edges, you only need to cook it for about 2-3 minutes more. To make cutting easier, let the treats cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature, but don’t wait too long or they’ll become too firm to cut cleanly.
What to Serve With Caramel Corn Pops Treats?
These sweet and crunchy treats are perfect for serving at parties or movie nights alongside some balancing snacks and drinks. A cold glass of milk is the classic choice – it helps cut through the sweetness and gives you that nostalgic snack-time feeling. For a fun party spread, I like to pair these treats with some salty snacks like pretzels or potato chips to create a nice sweet-and-salty combo. Since these treats are pretty sweet, serving them with some fresh fruit like apple slices or strawberries can add a nice fresh element to your snack plate.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These caramel corn pops treats stay perfectly crunchy when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Place wax paper or parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days – if they last that long!
Make Ahead: These treats are great for making ahead for parties or bake sales. Just wrap them individually in wax paper once they’ve completely cooled, and they’ll be ready to grab and go. The caramel stays nice and chewy for several days.
Store: For longer storage, keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. The cool temperature helps maintain the caramel’s texture. Just let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before enjoying – they’re much easier to bite into that way!
| 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: 2400-2600
- Protein: 20-25 g
- Fat: 180-200 g
- Carbohydrates: 250-270 g
Ingredients
- 1 box of corn pops cereal (12.5 oz)
- 1 package of caramel squares (11 oz)
- 1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Ingredients
Begin by lining a 13x9x2″ pan with foil, then lightly brush the bottom and sides with butter.
This will help with the release of the caramel squares later.
As an option, you can also use a large rimmed cookie sheet if you prefer smaller squares.
Unwrap your caramel squares to have them ready for the next steps.
Step 2: Melt Caramels and Butter
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven (at least 5 qt), combine the unwrapped caramel squares, 2 sticks of butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Melt these ingredients together over medium-low heat, stirring continuously until the butter is fully incorporated into the caramel and the mixture is smooth and even.
Be careful to control the heat so the caramel doesn’t burn.
Step 3: Coat the Corn Pops
Immediately after the caramel mixture is ready, add the corn pops directly into the pot.
Make sure to keep the cereal bag handy for the next step.
Using a large spoon, stir the corn pops until they are evenly coated with the caramel, making sure to scrape from the bottom of the pot to get all the caramel thoroughly mixed in.
Step 4: Transfer and Set the Mixture
Quickly transfer the caramel-coated corn pops to the foil-lined, buttered pan.
Use the saved plastic cereal bag to gently push the caramel corn pops around the pan, distributing them evenly.
Lightly press down on the mixture with the bag to ensure it’s compact and even.
Allow it to stand at room temperature until completely cooled and set.
Step 5: Cut and Serve
Once the caramel corn pops have set, use the edges of the foil to lift them out of the pan.
Carefully peel away the foil, then cut the mixture into squares of your desired size.
Arrange them on a serving tray and enjoy your delicious, gooey treats!