Our pumpkin spice popcorn is coated with a spiced caramel sauce poured over freshly popped popcorn mixed with pecans and cashews. It’s baked on low till it’s perfectly crispy. Gluten-free.
This pumpkin popcorn is one of the best fall snack foods to enjoy at home or package as a festive gift for friends and family. It is also a great recipe to serve or bring to your next seasonal event. Everyone will be raving over this spiced popcorn.
For more tasty ways to flavor popcorn, check out our homemade Cheesy Popcorn Seasoning and Caramel Popcorn Seasoning. Both delicious and gluten-free!
Homemade Caramel Corn
This is yet another recipe that proves gluten-free snacks can be simple and delicious! Plus, it uses ingredients that you likely have on hand or can easily add to another fall dish.
For homemade caramel corn, you can pop popcorn in the microwave, on the stovetop, in an air popper, or simply buy a big bag of pre-popped. We recommend popping the popcorn the same day you plan to create this recipe for the best results.
Don’t let your gluten-free snacks stop here! While this popcorn is baking, check out our Homemade Protein Bars, Air Fryer Baked Apples (Gluten-Free), and No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites. You will not be disappointed.
Let’s get started! Gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!
Equipment
- large disposable pan
- medium-sized saucepan
- stir spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn ✅
- 1 cup cashews, optional ✅
- 1 cup pecan halves, optional ✅
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ✅
- 1 teaspoon salt ✅
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ✅
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
Preheat the oven to 250°F.
Combine the popcorn and nuts (if using)
Combine the popcorn, cashew, and pecans to a large disposable pan.
Boil the butter and sugar
Place the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium-sized pan. Bring to a boil then cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Stir in the spices
Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, baking soda, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Pour over the popcorn. Using a large spoon, gently stir until coated.
Bake
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This ensures all the kernels of popcorn get evenly coated with the caramel sauce.
Serve
Let cool and store in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- When bringing the butter and sugar to a boil make sure to keep the handle of the pan turned to the side so it doesn’t get accidentally bumped off the stove.
- Set a timer when boiling the caramel sauce. Cooking it too long will make the sauce harden.
- The sauce may bubble up when you add the baking soda, take extra care not to get burned.
- Swap the nuts for chocolate chips or m&ms.
FAQ
Dip apple slices into the sauce, drizzle it over vanilla ice cream or any spread on top of any gluten-free baked good.
Caramel sauce is just one of the many sweet flavors that can be put on popcorn. From marshmallows and chocolate chips to candy pieces and cinnamon sugar mix, try any combination.
This popcorn can last up to 2 weeks at room temperature in an airtight container.
Healthy Fall Snacks
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries
- Brussels Sprout Apple Salad
- Homemade Gluten-Free Granola Bar
- Gluten Free Apple Muffins
- Air Fryer Banana Chips
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.
Pumpkin Spice Popcorn
Equipment
- large disposable pan
- medium-sized saucepan
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn ✅
- 1/2 cup cashews, optional ✅
- 1/2 cup pecan halves, optional ✅
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ✅
- 1 teaspoon salt ✅
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ✅
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 250°F.
- Combine the popcorn and nuts (if using). Combine the popcorn, cashew, and pecans to a large disposable pan.12 cups popped popcorn, 1/2 cup cashews, optional, 1/2 cup pecan halves, optional
- ⭐️Boil the butter and sugar. Place the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium-sized pan. Bring to a boil then cook for an additional 5 minutes.1 cup butter, 2 cups brown sugar, 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- ⭐️Stir in the spices. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, baking soda, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Pour over the popcorn. Using a large spoon, gently stir until coated.1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⭐️Bake. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Serve. Let cool and store in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Notes
- Dip apple slices into leftover sauce, drizzle it over vanilla ice cream or any spread on top of any gluten-free baked good.
- This popcorn can last up to 2 weeks at room temperature in an airtight container.
- Leave out the pecans and cashews to make a nut free recipe
- Double the pumpkin pie spice for extra pumpkin flavor
- Swap the pumpkin pie spice for allspice around Christmas for a winter holiday version
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!
Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
Destination says
loved this Pumpkin Spice Popcorn recipe.