Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe
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A Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe, can you believe it?! Made with real maple syrup and coconut oil, this healthier snack won’t last long.

Caramel Popcorn
I don’t know about you, but Caramel Popcorn (also known as Caramel Corn) and I are BFF’s.
I don’t usually snack on anything late into the night these days, but sometimes I make exceptions and today is that day.
When my friends Christie and Claudia told me about their Clean Eating Caramel Popcorn Recipe, I couldn’t believe how good it was. Not only is this recipe super simple, but it is also:
- gluten-free
- vegan
- unprocessed
- contains no sugar
Sound a little too good to be true? Well, believe it friends! Give it a try and you be the judge!
Caramel Popcorn Recipe Ingredients
Coconut Oil – There are a ton of articles out there saying that coconut oil may or may not be healthy for you. All I know is that it is way better than plain ol’ butter and that this is what this recipe calls for. You be the judge of this and make this recipe with coconut oil or an oil of your choosing. It’s your body people, you decide what goes in it.
Popcorn Kernels – You can’t make popcorn without those kernels. Freshly popped popcorn just cannot be beaten. No matter how convenient the microwave kinds are.
Vanilla – What good, sweet treat recipe doesn’t have vanilla in it. It adds tons of flavor and the aroma of it just kills me every time.
Maple Syrup – Ok I know maple syrup has sugar in it. By healthy, I mean that this recipe is healthier than the traditional recipe because I don’t use processed sugars in it. Do yourself a favor and buy REAL maple syrup. It is SO good. And that is not just the Canadian speaking in me.
Sea Salt – What is more perfect that sea salt to top off this tasty recipe. It is the perfect compliment to all the sweet.
Looking for more delectable snacks to munch on? Check out these recipes: Deviled Eggs, Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, Smoothie Bowl Recipe for Kids, and Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe.
How to Make Caramel Popcorn
Start with 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels.
Place them into a hot pan with some melted coconut oil and…
…pop the top on! Every 20-30 seconds shake the pan back and forth to make sure the kernels heat evenly so they pop evenly.
After about 5 minutes, all your popcorn should be perfectly popped 🙂 Set this aside.
Now onto the caramel! In a small saucepan, measure out some REAL maple syrup and more coconut oil. I also added in my sea salt to this mixture too, but feel free to save it for the end.
Lightly boil the mixture for 2 minutes until it thickens. Then add in some vanilla and pour over the popcorn.
Stir to coat and then eat immediately, or spread it out onto a baking sheet to set a little more.
Believe it or not, this doesn’t taste too coconutty or maply. The splash of vanilla that you throw in at the end makes such a huge difference! It’s seriously what makes this taste like caramel corn…so don’t forget to add it in 🙂
We scarfed this stuff down in no time and think your families will too. Plus it is practically guilt-free! Holla!
Print the recipe using the button below! Enjoy!
Even More healthy snacks you might like:
- Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids
- Homemade Protein Snack Boxes
- Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place 1 tablespoon coconut oil into a deep pot or pan with a tight-fitting lid and melt over medium-high heat. Add in popcorn kernels and cover. Shake the pan back and forth every 20 seconds or so to heat kernels evenly. After about 2 minutes, kernels should start to pop. Once popping slows, remove popcorn from heat and pour into a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan, place remaining coconut oil with maple syrup and salt. Boil 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Drizzle over popcorn and toss to coat evenly. Spread out onto some parchment paper to cool 30 minutes or so. Serve.
Not healthy. Yummy, but not healthy.
The BEST!!!
Well, poured syrup on ER and the popcorn turned into a melted mess
My popcorn melted when I poured in the syrup mixture?
I haven’t tasted it yet but it looks mushy and not like caramel corn
Should I have waited for it to cool down first ?
Mine as well. Forget the recipe
I’m all about healthy. This recipe was very easy to make and also healthy and delicious!!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Delicious and easy. Added a drizzle of dairy free chocolate and pink Himalayan sea salt. Movie night here we come!
Hi! Unhealthy caramel corn is my specialty .But I searched for healthy options and love the idea of this recipe. You mentioned leaving it on a baking sheet. I pop, mix and then bake for 1 hour. Do you think i can bake it with this recipe? Im going to give it a shot. Thank you!!
Karen, I’d LOVE to have your granola recipe, please! My email address is [email protected]
Thanks!!
You can use unflavored coconut oil too if you don’t like the coconut flavor. I used Carrington Farms Organic unflavored.
Such a good recipe if you need a sweet treat that’s not too sweet. I have made a few times now and found the quantities perfect. Make sure you use a low small saucepan to heat sauce, it should steadily bubble & froth once hot. Make sure you continually stir mixture and then when ready, I take a few tablespoons at a time to drizzle over popcorn then mix in a large bowl. Then repeat until sauce finished. Found this evenly coats every piece. Hardest part is not eating it all!
Is the nutritional information for per serve please?
Yes, per serving
can this be made into popcorn balls??
No, its not sticky enough to turn into popcorn balls.
Recipe sounds wonderful! Refined or unrefined coconut oil! I get so confused!!! Thank you! Enjoy your new home and stay healthy and safe from fires!
Can you use something other than maple syrup?
I made this and let it sit for 30 mins (which was not easy). But it ended up being soggy.. Has this happened to anyone else?
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What an amazing recipe! I added a bit of corn starch and cinnamon and it was so good. 10/10 will make again.
[…] Healthy Caramel Corn […]
I was looking for the prize in my Cracker Jack box! So freaking good!! My new go to snack.
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