Salted Caramel M&M Popcorn
This Salted Caramel M&M Popcorn is sweet, salty, crunchy, and filled with M&M's. This is the perfect addition to any movie night.
This post was originally sponsored but has since been updated.
As we may have touched base on many of times, I'm a fanatic of sweet and salty. One of my favorite movie night snacks is this salted caramel M&M popcorn another being this caramel chex mix and this also fall snack mix.
It's a treat my whole family can enjoy, especially me! My grandma actually started this tradition by just adding candy to her popcorn. Her go-to candy was candy corn, which is how these Candy Corn Popcorn Balls were thought up.
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I love to use M&M's in this salted caramel popcorn recipe. The bite-sized candy coated chocolates are a perfect addition to each bite. They liven up the snack with their vibrant colors too.
Ingredients
This sweet and salty caramel popcorn only needs 6 ingredients for the best popcorn around!
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
- popcorn kernels - I love to use my air popper to make the popcorn, but you can use a kettle and some oil instead.
- granulated sugar - also known as white sugar is needed for this recipe to make the caramel.
- butter - I used salted butter for my caramel, but unsalted works great and allows you to have more control of the salt. Also unsalted butter has less water in it than salted butter which will cause less of the caramel to bubble up or potentially seize up.
- salt - I used regular fine iodized salt.
- vanilla bean paste - If you don't have vanilla bean paste, do not substitute vanilla extract instead. Just leave it out. I've had some weird flavored and textured store-bought vanilla bean pastes, so I always recommend Rodelle vanilla bean paste. It's the best that I've come across.
- M&Ms - I used plain chocolate M&Ms for this salted caramel popcorn.
Substitutions and Variations
- Microwave popcorn will do in a pinch. You will need more than one bag though, you'll want enough to make about 8 cups of popcorn.
- You can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe.
- You can substitute the regular iodized salt for kosher salt, but it's likely that you won't need as much.
- The flavor of M&Ms is up to you. I like the plain chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, pretzel, etc. and would use any of them in this recipe.
- You can add sprinkles to this recipe when you add the candy.
- You can swap out the M&Ms for other types of candy that preferably have a shell on them so they don't melt into the hot caramel immediately.
NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations
How to make Salted Caramel M&M Popcorn
Step 1 - Pop the popcorn. I have an air popper that I use but you can use a large pot with about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in it. Keep a lid on the pot and keep the pot moving to avoid the popcorn from burning.
Step 2 - Once the popcorn is popped, add the sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the sugar every couple of minutes to help melt the sugar and keep it moving so it doesn't burn. This will take about 17 minutes.
Step 3 - Reduce the heat to low and add the salt and vanilla bean paste.
Step 4 - Whisk in 10 tablespoons of butter until incorporated into a thickened caramel sauce.
Step 5 - Drizzle the caramel sauce on the popcorn and add in the M&Ms. Toss until the popcorn is well coated.
Step 6 - Spread the popcorn out onto a jelly roll pan to cool until the caramel has hardened.
Recipe FAQs
Place the popcorn in an air tight container or ziploc bag at room temperature out of direct sunlight for up to 3 days.
It makes about 8 cups or 2 quarts of popcorn.
More Popcorn Snacks
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Salted Caramel M&M Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 10 tablespoons butter cubed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste optional
- ½ cup M&M's any flavor
Instructions
- Using an air popper, pop the ¼ cup of corn kernels. You can also pop the corn kernels in a kettle with some vegetable oil. Keep the kernels moving and the lid on the kettle. I would use 1 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Set popcorn aside.
- Spray a large jelly roll pan (17¼ x 11½ Inch) with non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent any sticking.
- In a medium saucepan, add the sugar into a dry pan. Place the pan over medium heat. Every minute or two, give the sugar a swirl by picking the pan up and moving it in a circular motion. Don't use utensils. You'll start to see the sugar caramelize. Keep picking up and swirling the pan until all the sugar has melted. It will take about 17 minutes for the sugar to caramelize and melt.
- Once the sugar is melted, turn the heat down to medium/low. Add in the salt and vanilla bean paste. Do not use vanilla extract. It will make the caramel gritty.
- Add in all of the butter and whisk until the butter incorporates into the caramelized sugar and it becomes thick. It will take a good couple of minutes of whisking vigorously to have the salted caramel come together. I used salted butter, but feel free to use unsalted. Remove from the heat.
- Pour the salted caramel into the bowl of popcorn and stir until all the popcorn is coated.
- Add in the m&m's and stir to combine.
- Spread the popcorn on the prepared jelly roll pan and let cool. As the caramel cools, it will harden.
- Break apart the popcorn and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
I just saw this on TasteSpotting and had to come get a closer look. YUM! This popcorn looks amazing and your site is absolutely gorgeous. Pinning!
Thank you Erin! I'm glad you came over to take a look. 😀