Easy microwave caramel corn is crunchy, sweet and can be made in less than 10 minutes! It’s a favorite snack for movie night or any night you need a last minute treat.
Making desserts in the microwave is simple and convenient! This caramel popcorn recipe is one of the many, along with my microwave fudge and microwave caramel candies.
Table of Contents
Easy Microwave Caramel Corn
Caramel corn is one of my favorite desserts to make. My mom always made this homemade caramel corn recipe growing up and it brings back such great memories of me helping her in the kitchen. She used to stir her caramel on the stove until it was ready, which is the only thing that I didn’t love about making it.
So I’ve created this microwave caramel corn that is seriously so easy to whip up and can be done in less than 10 minutes! I made this the last time we had friends over and everyone loved the buttery brown sugar flavor and crunchy texture.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: Making caramel cone on the stovetop or in the oven can take up to an hour. This easy microwave version is ready in 10 minutes!
- Soft or crunchy. Make this the way you like it! Microwave it less time for soft caramel corn or longer for crunchy, sweet popcorn!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Popcorn: I use a bag of already popped popcorn (like Skinny Pop), but you could make your own stovetop popcorn and let it cool.
- Butter: Cut the butter into pieces so that it melts faster in the microwave.
- Brown sugar: Use fresh brown sugar for the ultimate flavor.
- Corn syrup: Make sure to use light corn syrup instead of the dark kind.
- Baking soda: This is mixed into the caramel and helps create a softer texture.
- Vanilla extract: This adds to the caramel flavor and is mixed in once the butter and sugars have melted.
How to Make Microwave Caramel Corn
MICROWAVE. Make the caramel by microwaving the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a bowl for one minute. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes for a chewy texture. If you prefer a crunchier texture, cook an additional minute.
MIX. Remove from microwave and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Then pour the caramel over the popcorn and mix gently until well coated.
COOL. Dump the caramel corn onto a piece of wax paper and let cool completely. Enjoy!
Chewy vs. Crunchy Caramel Corn
- For chewy soft caramel corn: Only cook the caramel for 3 minutes.
- For crunchy caramel corn: Add an additional minute. If you find it isn’t crunchy enough, simply place the whole bowl in the microwave once it has been stirred together and cook in 30 second increments until you reach the desired consistency. It will harden as it cools down, so don’t overcook it.
Variations
- Try adding some mini chocolate chips or M&M’s for a hint of chocolate.
- Mix in some mini marshmallows, similar to my marshmallow caramel popcorn.
- Add in some slivered almonds or nuts of choice.
- Take 1/4 cup of popcorn mixture and roll into popcorn balls to make an easy grab and go snack.
Storage
While this caramel popcorn tastes best immediately after making it, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Longer storage will result in soggy popcorn.
More popcorn recipes to try include easy snickers popcorn recipe, white chocolate popcorn and M&M popcorn.
More Fun Popcorn Recipes
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Microwave Caramel Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 10-12 cups popped popcorn , I used Skinny Pop
- ½ cup butter , cut into pieces
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Optional mix in’s: chopped nuts, m&m’s
Instructions
- Place popped popcorn in a large bowl. Lay a piece of wax or parchment paper on the counter. Set aside.
- Place butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a microwave safe bowl. Cook for one minute. Stir and cook two additional minutes for chewy caramel corn. If you like hard caramel corn, cook an additional minute.
- Remove from microwave. Stir in vanilla and baking soda.
- Pour caramel over popcorn and stir until well coated. Dump onto wax paper and allow to cool. Store in a zip top bag or airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Candy + Fudge, Desserts, No-Bake
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I was in a pinch trying to find something for a quick and easy recipe for popcorn balls and I came across this microwave one since the one on the stovetop epically failed and I can’t believe how easy it was amazing and they’re so good and taste so carmalee I love it
Yay, so happy to hear that Andrea! It’s one of our faves too :)
Loved this and so easy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made this for my girls this past weekend and they loved it! Thanks for including directions on chewy vs crunchy because we have been looking for a chewier version! It was so simple to make and tasted so great! Thanks!
This caramel corn looks so great! Will try it with my kids this weekend!
Popcorn looks delicious and very attractive, I know how to do and succeed
This is a perfect snack for movie nights!
This caramel popcorn would disappear in our house!
This is one of my all-time favorite treats, and this recipe seems so easy! I can’t wait to try it soon!
I have to make this caramel popcorn! I love that it is made in the microwave!
This popcorn is a great snack option! love the microwave method!
MICROWAVE?!?!?1 WHAT?!?! I can’t wait to try this!
I want to eat some of this right now!