Caramel Popcorn

Making popcorn at home is very simple, using only the most common ingredients. You'll need just four items: corn kernels, butter, sugar, and corn oil. Follow the steps, and you'll have a delicious batch of homemade popcorn, safer and more hygienic than store-bought ones.

5 Reviews
5 Comments
POSTED:16/05/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:20 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:5 min

While making homemade popcorn isn't difficult, you might encounter some common issues. Let's take a look at these problems and how to solve them!


1、Why isn't my popcorn crispy?

Popcorn can lose its crispiness for a couple of reasons: low cooking temperature and being left out for too long.

Low cooking temperature

The temperature is crucial when making popcorn. If the heat is too low, the moisture inside the popcorn doesn't evaporate properly, resulting in soft and chewy popcorn. To fix this, you can put the popcorn back into a hot pan and heat it again to evaporate the excess moisture.

Being left out for too long

After popcorn is popped at high temperatures, it becomes a low-moisture, high-volume food. If left out, it can absorb moisture from the air, making it lose its crispiness. Popcorn has a large surface area that makes it more susceptible to humidity, leading to a softer texture.

To keep your popcorn crispy, enjoy it right after making it. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate to maintain their crispiness.


2、Why are some kernels not popping?

When popcorn pops, the expanding kernels can push the unpopped ones away from the heat. As a result, already popped corn stays at the bottom of the pan, while some kernels remain unpopped.

To ensure all kernels pop, shake the pan gently but continuously after some of the kernels have popped. This movement helps the unpopped kernels settle back to the bottom where they can continue to heat evenly. This also prevents the popped corn from burning by keeping it from staying in contact with the hot pan for too long.


3、How should I control the heat when making popcorn?

Always use low heat when making popcorn. Before adding the corn kernels, ensure the pan is evenly heated. Then, add the oil and mix in the kernels thoroughly. Once the kernels and oil are combined, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the kernels to gradually heat and pop. Using high heat can cause the popcorn to burn and result in irregular shapes.


4、Why should I make caramel separately?

Some people add sugar directly to the oil with the corn kernels when making popcorn. While this does result in sweet popcorn, it often lacks the desired crispiness and rich flavor. By making caramel separately and then coating the freshly popped corn, you get a much better result. The caramel forms thin strands that wrap around each kernel. As it cools, the caramel hardens into a crispy, sweet coating, enhancing the texture and taste of the popcorn.


By mastering these techniques, you can make delicious and fun homemade popcorn. Share it with your family and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 3.5 oz (100g) Corn kernels (specifically for making popcorn)

ACCESSORIES

  • 1 tablespoon corn oil (for popping the popcorn)
  • 0.35 oz (10g) butter (for making caramel)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) sugar (for making caramel)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) water (for making caramel)

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the ingredients in advance. Ensure the corn kernels are clean and thoroughly dried. You can use a paper towel to pat them dry.

Tips:

Use small, round corn kernels specifically for making ball-shaped popcorn. These kernels pop into large, round, and full pieces that are visually appealing and delicious. Regular kernels tend to produce butterfly-shaped or irregular popcorn with a less desirable texture.

Tips for making ball-shaped popcorn with round corn kernels.

STEP 2

Heat the pot and add corn oil.

Tips:

Avoid using butter. Butter has a lower smoke point (250-300°F) compared to refined corn oil (450°F). The ideal temperature for popping ball-shaped popcorn is between 365-410°F. Butter will burn and produce blackened particles due to its lower smoke point.

Heat pot with corn oil for popcorn; avoid butter due to low smoke point.

STEP 3

Add the corn kernels and stir them a few times to ensure they are evenly coated with the corn oil.

Coat corn kernels evenly with corn oil by stirring.

STEP 4

Reduce to low heat, cover the pot, and press down on the lid. Wait for the kernels to pop until the popping sound stops.

Tips:

Shake the pot every 5-10 seconds to ensure even heating and prevent the popcorn from burning.

Tip for making stovetop popcorn: Reduce heat, cover, and shake pot to ensure even popping.

STEP 5

Once all the kernels have popped, pour the popcorn onto a baking sheet and spread it out to allow the steam to dissipate.

Tips for spreading out freshly popped popcorn on a baking sheet.

STEP 6

In another pan, combine the white sugar and water. Heat over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. You can gently swirl the pan occasionally, but avoid stirring to prevent crystallization.

Dissolve white sugar in water over low heat, avoiding stirring to prevent crystallization.

STEP 7

Cook until the sugar water begins to turn caramel in color.

Tips:

When caramelizing sugar, it's crucial to monitor its state and color. If the sugar isn't cooked enough, the syrup will only taste sweet without the rich caramel aroma. Overcooking the syrup can lead to bitterness. Pay close attention to this step and observe carefully.

The ideal state of the syrup is: a light caramel color, slightly thick but not heavy, with a subtle sweetness that isn't overly cloying.

Cook sugar until light caramel color for perfect syrup; avoid overcooking to prevent bitterness.

STEP 8

Add the butter until it's completely melted. Then, give it a gentle stir.

Melt butter completely, then gently stir for optimal results.

STEP 9

Pour the popcorn and mix thoroughly.

Mix thoroughly after pouring popcorn.

STEP 10

Stir well to ensure the popcorn is evenly coated with caramel.

Coat popcorn evenly with caramel by stirring well.

STEP 11

Turn off the heat and pour the popcorn back onto the baking sheet or into another container. Once it's cool enough to handle, immediately separate any clumps of popcorn stuck together by hand. This step must be done while the popcorn is still warm. Once it cools down, it will clump together.

Tips:

Be cautious as the syrup is very hot. Handle with care to avoid burns, and work quickly but gently.

Tips for separating clumped popcorn: turn off heat, cool slightly, separate by hand while still warm to prevent further clumping. Handle with care.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Caramel Popcorn
  • Main Ingredients:1
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:99 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 99 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):362 kcal
    17%
  • Protein:9.34 g
    17%
  • Fat:4.7 g Why gray?
    10%
  • Carbohydrates:73.67 g
    30%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 7%
    26 kcal
  • Fat: 11%
    39 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 82%
    297 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

5 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
AshleySeptember 29, 2024

Does the Caramel Popcorn recipe take into account America's sweet tooth
reply:
October 01, 2024
Yes, the recipe adjusts the sweetness and texture of the syrup to make sure it meets Americans' taste for sweets.
StevenSeptember 16, 2024

When making Caramel Popcorn, how do I make sure the caramel evenly covers each kernel of popcorn without caramel clumps
reply:
September 19, 2024
In the recipe, you will find detailed instructions on how to stir the caramel during cooking to ensure that each kernel of popcorn is evenly coated with caramel to avoid clumping.
SarahJuly 29, 2024

Why is the popcorn softer when the syrup is mixed with the popcorn?
PatriciaJuly 15, 2024

Crispy with a hint of butter, this Caramel Popcorn is simple and delicious.
jiaojiaoMay 23, 2024

My kids love popcorn, so I followed this recipe today and it came out so delicious!
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