Ingredients for Bacon Caramel Popcorn

Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredible snack:

• Bacon: The undisputed star! Thick-cut bacon is the way to go. It crisps up beautifully while maintaining its shape, delivering those satisfying bursts of bacon flavor with every bite.
• Vegetable Oil: Essential for popping the popcorn. We’ll use a touch of bacon fat for that extra layer of flavor, along with a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil to ensure even popping. Feel free to substitute with other high-heat oils like canola, coconut, or avocado oil.
• Popcorn: Ditch the pre-made stuff! For the best homemade popcorn with bacon and caramel, you’ll want to pop your own. The store-bought popcorn simply can’t compare in terms of freshness and flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our rich and decadent caramel. When melted with sugar, butter creates that signature caramel flavor and golden-brown color. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the sauce, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Light Brown Sugar: This is a non-negotiable ingredient! Don’t even think about substituting granulated sugar. Light brown sugar provides a depth of flavor that granulated sugar simply can’t match. It also contributes to the caramel sauce’s smooth, velvety texture. You can use dark brown sugar for an even richer flavor.
• Light Corn Syrup: The secret to a silky-smooth caramel sauce. Light corn syrup prevents crystallization, ensuring a luxurious texture. Plus, it helps the sauce adhere perfectly to every kernel of popcorn, guaranteeing an even and delicious coating.
• Salt: A flavor enhancer and balancer. Salt enhances the sweetness of the caramel and balances the overall flavor profile, preventing it from becoming overly sweet.
• Baking Soda: Don’t be alarmed when you add the baking soda to the sauce – it will bubble up! This is perfectly normal. The bubbles aerate the caramel sauce, creating a lighter and fluffier texture.
• Vanilla Extract: The final touch of flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best and most authentic vanilla flavor.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Bacon Caramel Popcorn: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat the oven to 250ºF (120ºC). This low temperature ensures that the popcorn bakes evenly and doesn’t burn.
2. Cook the bacon. Add the chopped bacon to a large pan (a sauté pan or cast iron skillet works great) and cook over medium heat until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Remember, the bacon will continue to crisp up after you remove it from the heat, so don’t overcook it! Be sure to reserve the bacon drippings, as they’ll add amazing flavor to the popcorn.
3. Pop the popcorn. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon fat and the vegetable oil to a large, lidded pot (like a stockpot or Dutch oven) set over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot. Once you hear the first kernel pop, remove the pot from the heat for one minute. This prevents the kernels from burning before they all pop. Then, return the pot to the heat and shake it gently until all the popcorn is popped. It’s helpful to have oven mitts or thick kitchen towels on hand to protect your hands during this step. Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl and add the crispy bacon pieces.

4. Make the caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, stop stirring and let it continue boiling for four minutes. Stirring at this stage can cause crystallization, resulting in a gritty caramel sauce. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble up vigorously.
5. Combine popcorn and caramel. Immediately pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn and bacon mixture.

6. Mix. Quickly stir everything together until the popcorn and bacon are thoroughly coated in the caramel sauce.
7. Bake. Divide the caramel corn mixture evenly between two 9×13-inch baking dishes. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking and prevent burning.
8. Cool and serve. Remove the baked caramel corn from the oven and pour it onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it cool completely. As it cools, the caramel corn will clump together, which is perfectly fine. Once completely cooled, break the caramel corn into pieces and serve. Enjoy!

Kelly’s Recipe Tips for Perfect Bacon Caramel Popcorn

• Cutting the bacon: For this recipe, you’ll need to cut the bacon into 1/4-inch pieces. An easy way to do this is to use sharp kitchen shears instead of a knife.
• Baking soda caution: When adding the baking soda to the caramel sauce, be prepared for it to bubble up. Stir it in carefully to avoid any spills.
• Work quickly: Once the caramel sauce is ready, work quickly to coat the popcorn and bacon while the sauce is still warm and pliable. This will ensure even coverage and prevent the sauce from hardening too quickly.
• The ultimate gift: This recipe makes the ultimate edible gift! Buy food-safe goodie bags, add the cooled popcorn to them, and you have the perfect homemade gift, housewarming present, or even wedding favor.

Storage Tips for Keeping Your Bacon Caramel Popcorn Fresh

To keep your Homemade Bacon Caramel Popcorn fresh and crunchy, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent the popcorn from becoming stale or absorbing moisture from the air. It will keep for 3-5 days.

Avoid storing the popcorn in the refrigerator, as it can become too cold and lose its crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon Caramel Popcorn

More Party Snack Ideas You’ll Love

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• Hot and Creamy Artichoke Dip
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Homemade Caramel Popcorn with Bacon Recipe Card