The best and most delicious nut free vegan caramel corn recipe! Crunchy, sweet, and salty, this tasty treat is dairy free and gluten free!
One of my favorite holiday recipes is caramel corn.
Scratch that. One of my favorite ANYTIME recipes is caramel corn. It’s one of my favorite treats – put a bowl in front of me, and it will be gone in the blink of an eye!
I hadn’t made it in a long time, because for a while there, I was avoiding corn, so that meant no caramel corn. Then, once I started eating corn again, I was avoiding GMO corn, so that was just one more thing to worry about – tracking down GMO free popcorn and corn syrup wasn’t a top priority. But all of a sudden I had a craving for caramel corn, and I just had to make it for a New Year’s Eve party. And then again for a family holiday party. Now, making vegan popcorn has become a holiday tradition once again!
This nut free vegan caramel corn is highly addictive, so don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Where can I find non-GMO popcorn?
There are probably quite a few brands of GMO free popcorn, but I like the Tiny But Mighty brand. I order it from Amazon, and the last time I called, they only processed corn in their facility. But definitely call to double check for yourself.
What tools do you need to make vegan caramel corn?
- A heavy bottomed saucepan works best for making the caramel – it helps keep the caramel from burning.
- A candy thermometer is a must so that you know when to stop cooking the caramel.
- A large bowl or large deep pan is also necessary for mixing the popcorn and the caramel.
How do you store leftover caramel corn?
You can store this caramel popcorn in an airtight container or ziploc bags. It should stay fresh for about 5-6 days.
It is wonderful for a holiday, birthday party, or a Super Bowl party!
Adapted from this recipe.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Vegan and Nut Free Caramel Corn.
Sweet, salty, tasty, addictive vegan caramel corn. Dairy free, nut free, and gluten free.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups vegan buttery spread I used Earth Balance Soy Free Sticks
- 1 ½ cup popcorn kernels I used Tiny but Mighty Heirloom corn. If you use normal popcorn, you may be able to use less
- 5 Tablespoons organic canola oil
- 2 ½ cups light brown sugar
- ⅝ cups light corn syrup
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅞ teaspoon salt
- ⅝ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of a large roasting pan. (Depending on the size, you may need two pans).
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Pop the popcorn in two batches: Heat 2 ½ Tablespoons of canola oil and four corn kernels in a large kettle with a lid over medium high heat. Once the test kernels pop, remove the pan from the heat, and add ¾ cup corn kernels. Put the lid on, and keep the pan off the heat for 30 seconds. Then place back on the heat. Once the kernels really start popping, shake the pan intermittently.
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When there are 2-3 seconds between pops, remove the pan from heat and pour the contents into the roaster. Repeat to pop the other half of the corn.
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Make the caramel: In a heavy bottomed saucepan with a candy thermometer clipped to the side, heat the buttery spread, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat. Stir constantly, until the candy thermometer reads 255 degrees F.
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Remove the pan from the heat, and add the vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine.
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Quickly pour the caramel over the popcorn, and stir to coat. Be careful! The caramel is super hot.
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Place the caramel corn in the oven, and bake for about one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
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Let caramel corn cool completely - it will crisp up as it cools off.
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Store in an airtight container.
Recipe Notes
Store popcorn in an airtight container. It should stay fresh for 5-6 days.
This is such a great snack or dessert for a party, especially if you have kids – everyone loves it, and there is hardly any leftover!
Note: If you use regular popcorn, you may not need as many kernels. The Tiny But Mighty Heirloom Popcorn has slightly smaller kernels, which is fine with me, because they are so delicious!
Make this for your next party! You’ll love it!
This vegan caramel corn is:
- crispy
- perfectly salty-sweet
- gluten free and vegan
This post was originally published in January 2015. It has been updated.
Laurie
What do you think a good replacement for the vegan buttery spread would be? The only ones I can find in my town have sunflower oil in them, which I cannot have.
Kelly Roenicke
I have not tried this with any other ingredient, so I’m not sure! Regular butter would work of course, but I am not sure of another vegan substitute.
Angie
How much would you say 1 serving is? 1 cup? 2 cup? Trying to adjust the recipe for a specific need. Thanks so much. It looks delicious!
Zoe @ This Allergy Life
Yum!! My 1-year-old was diagnosed with PN and egg allergies this year, and I’ve been missing the buttery caramel corn with nuts that I used to get at this time of year. This looks like a great replacement!
Britanie
could you use a other oil besides canola? My hubby can’t have it…
Kelly Roenicke
I haven’t tried any other oil, I’m sorry!
lily
I feel like this is going to be good
Darryl
This stuff is awesome!
fittingintovegan
OMG!!! I want this now! I wish I hadn’t known vegan caramel corn was an option, lol.
Kelly
Heehee, it is very addictive! Be careful! ;)
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving
This looks almost identical to my candy corn recipe! I love how long it can last – in an airtight container – if I don’t eat it all at once! I love caramel corn, too!
Kelly
It is so tasty, isn’t it? It does last quite a long time, too!
Regan Jones (@ReganJonesRD)
Kelly, I’m so touched you would include my birthday in your post and help celebrate this special milestone!! The Caramel Corn looks like perfect treat to enjoy day after day, remembering what a wonderful journey over to 40 it’s been. Thank you!
Kelly
You’re welcome, Regan! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
katiewebster
My daughter was just asking me to make caramel corn (on New year’s eve) and I wanted a healthier alternative. I didn’t have a recipe, so I made something else instead. Glad to have this recipe now.
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven
Caramel popcorn is my all-time favorite winter snack! I seriously wouldn’t be able to stop eating this…looks fantastic, Kelly!
Lisa
Caramel corn is definitely one of my favorite things to eat! This is the kind of recipe that I know my whole family will enjoy! I’ll need to try this one!
Emily @SinfulNutrition
This looks incredibly addicting. Would definitely have to give some out before I ate the entire batch! :)
Kelly
Oh, we definitely gave a lot away! It’s just too tempting!
nataliejo344
I read the first line thinking “I didn’t realize caramel corn was a holiday snack, I like caramel corn anytime!” And then I kept reading and realized that you and I are in agreement on that :)
Kelly
Yes, we are on the same page! :)
athleticavocado
I don’t remember the last time I had caramel corn!!! I miss it so much! This looks incredible!
Kelly
Thank you! It’s so good! I hadn’t had it in a long time, either!
Kristine's Kitchen
I haven’t had caramel corn in forever! This looks incredibly addicting! I’m not sure I could trust myself around it. :)
Kelly
It’s very addicting! :)
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
This looks amazing! I would totally stuff my face with it!!!
Kelly
Thanks, Sonali!