Caramel Popcorn Seasoning is a sweet popcorn seasoning that is easy to make and adds a delicious flavor to your homemade popcorn.
Learning how to make flavored popcorn is super simple. Plus, it allows you to turn staple ingredients into some of the best popcorn toppings like this salted caramel popcorn. Make popcorn at home today!
Looking for more popcorn seasoning recipes? Check out my Ranch Popcorn Seasoning, a delicious savory popcorn blend.
This kettle corn popcorn seasoning is so easy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner. Make a single batch or in bulk to have on hand.
It is a family-friendly recipe that transforms popcorn into the perfect mid-afternoon or evening treat. The sweetness of the sugar combined with the saltiness of the salt is what makes this caramel popcorn recipe to die for!
Enjoy at home or gift for friends, coworkers and teachers any time of the year. Pairing a shaker bottle of the seasoning with homemade popcorn or bags of popcorn makes the cutest gift idea.
For more fun gifts, check out our Pumpkin Spice Popcorn, No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, Saltine Toffee and Old Fashioned Fudge.
Let’s get started. Gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Equipment
- blender or spice grinder
- measuring spoons
- storage container with lid
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make Healthy Popcorn Seasoning
Making your own gourmet popcorn seasoning at home is really easy, makes enough for many uses, and can also make a great gift idea too.
To prepare this flavorful seasoning blend, start by combining the following ingredients: 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of turbinado sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. These ingredients come together to create a balanced combination of sweetness and saltiness that will enhance the taste of your popcorn.
Once you have your ingredients ready, add them all to either a blender or a spice grinder. This will ensure that the sugars and salt are evenly mixed, creating a smooth blend. Blend the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined, resulting in a fine-textured seasoning mixture.
Now, the seasoning blend is ready to be enjoyed. To serve, simply pour the mixture into a seasoning shaker, which will make it easy to evenly distribute the flavors over your freshly popped popcorn. The sweet and savory notes from the sugars and salt will add a delightful twist to your popcorn-eating experience.
For storage, keep the seasoning blend in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent clumping. Whenever you’re in the mood for a tasty popcorn treat, reach for your seasoning shaker and enjoy the delicious blend you’ve created.
I made this recipe on a local cooking show. You can watch the video HERE.
How to Make Homemade Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag
It is cheap, healthy, and super easy, here’s how:
- Place 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels into a brown paper lunch bag.
- Fold the top over.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes or until popping slows down.
- Carefully remove it from the microwave.
Related: Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Tips and Tricks
- Ingredient Quality: Opt for high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to sugars and salt. The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the final flavor of your seasoning blend.
- Adjust to Taste: Feel free to adjust the quantities of sugar and salt to suit your personal preferences. If you like your seasoning on the sweeter side, you can increase the amount of powdered and turbinado sugar. Similarly, if you prefer a saltier flavor, you can add a bit more salt.
- Grinding Consistency: When blending the ingredients, ensure that they are ground to a consistent texture. You don’t want any clumps of sugar or salt in the final blend, as it can result in uneven seasoning distribution.
- Storage Container: Choose an airtight container to store your seasoning blend. This will help preserve its flavor and prevent moisture from affecting its texture.
- Shaker Selection: Use a shaker with a fine mesh or small holes to evenly distribute the seasoning over your popcorn. This will prevent large clumps from landing on the popcorn.
- Mixing Variations: Consider experimenting with additional flavorings to customize the blend. You could add a pinch of cinnamon, a touch of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist, or even a hint of chili powder for a spicy kick.
- Popcorn Preparation: For the best results, use freshly popped popcorn. The warm popcorn will help the seasoning adhere better, enhancing the overall taste experience.
- Pairing Ideas: While the seasoning is designed for popcorn, don’t hesitate to try it on other snacks like roasted nuts, chips, or even sweet treats like caramel corn.
- Labeling: If you plan to make different seasoning blends, consider labeling your storage containers to easily identify each blend.
- Freshness Check: Over time, the blend might lose its potency. Give it a quick taste before using it on your popcorn to make sure the flavors are still vibrant.
Remember, cooking and seasoning are about experimenting and discovering what works best for your palate, so don’t be afraid to get creative and make adjustments based on your preferences!
Frequently Asked Questions
This homemade popcorn seasoning can be kept for up to 6 months.
Store the seasoning shaker at room temperature such as in a cabinet, pantry or on the counter. Keep away from moisture.
If you and your family enjoy mixing various ingredients into popcorn, we would suggest peanuts, pecans, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, butterscotch chips or cocoa nibs to pair with this caramel seasoning.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Make sure the lid is secure on the blender or spice grinder before turning on for safety.
- A small Mason jar or a Ziploc bag could also be used if you don’t have a seasoning shaker at home.
- Level off the measuring spoons before pouring the spices into the blender.
More Gluten-Free Snack Recipes
- Gluten Free Banana Muffins
- Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins
- Homemade Protein Bars
- Gluten-Free Granola Bars
- Creamy Fruit Popsicle
- Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Gluten-Free Cheese Crackers
- Mango Slushie
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Caramel Popcorn Seasoning
Equipment
- blender or spice grinder
- storage container with lid
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- ⭐️Combine the ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a blender or spice grinder. Blend until mixed well.2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt
- Serve and store. Pour into seasoning shaker and enjoy on freshly popped popcorn!
Notes
- Store for up to 6 months at room temperature, keeping away from moisture.
- Mix in peanuts, pecans, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, butterscotch chips or cocoa nibs to pair with this caramel seasoning if desired.
- Use store-bought popcorn or easily make Homemade Microwave Popcorn.
- Enjoy at home or gift to friends, family, coworkers or teachers.
Nutrition
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Nicole says
This is my favorite popcorn seasoning! It’s so easy to make and tastes amazing.
Jeri says
How long does is it good for?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Jeri! They say sugar never goes bad, but my guess is that since it’s mixed together, it should probably get used and not hang out too long. I’d give it several months stored in an airtight container away from any moisture. Enjoy!
Mateo says
Great stuff. Used nutribullet and came out powdery. Melt some butter and use a lot of this seasoning. Very close to caramel corn without the stickiness. And different than kettle corn too.
Stephanie says
The kids love making popcorn for movie nights. They will love making this to add to the popcorn.