When you didn’t think that popcorn could get any more delicious and buttery, caramel corn came along to enchant our tastebuds … and mostly mess with our heads at how amazing it really is.
Especially if you’re a dedicated standard and traditional popcorn lover, it feels like you’re betraying your own kind! Caramel corn has pushed regular corn aside at the expense of betraying the original buttery taste for a new, exciting, and smooth experience.
And if you’re feeling like you need the best of the best when it comes to caramel corn to try it out for yourself. We’ve got the best selections of the stuff for you!
We understand the dedication and trust you may have in traditional salted or sweetened corn, however, wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out on trying an improved version of your old-time classical favorites?
There’s a lot of nostalgia held within popcorn, especially in America. The first thought that ‘pops’ to our minds is classic outdoor movie theatres in the 50s, even though we haven't had the chance to experience this classic date or family fun activity, it’s easy to imagine the taste of corn in your mouth when you tie it together with old movies and films.
Corn and films have this warm, enchanting feeling to them. And you deserve to re-capture this feeling with an added sensation to the mix, caramel corn!
Best Caramel Corns
OUR TOP PICK
I don’t know about you, but any corn sealed in a bag immediately captures our attention more than any other corn. But why?
It’s the same kind of corn as corn in buckets and card boxes at the movies, yet corn in a sealed bag just appears to be fancier, doesn't it?
Either way, we love Amish Good premium caramel corn as it’s made with the freshest ingredients in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country, there’s real butter, caramel, and coconut oil in every batch made so you can enjoy a wholesome snack.
This particular link will take you to three different options that can be yours soon enough!
A 10-ounce bag is available, a 10-ounce pack of 2 bags is available, and a 16-ounce bag is available.
All you need to do is choose your pick. This corn also comes in 4 different caramel-based flavors, so there’s almost definitely an option to suit every tastebud in the world!
Why not try the caramel chocolate drizzle corn for a hint of extra sweetness. Or, if you’re someone who is craving the fibrous taste of nuts and almonds in your corn, try either caramel with peanuts or caramel with almonds.
While testing this product ourselves, we found that because of our dramatic sweet tooths, we enjoyed the caramel chocolate drizzle corn the most!
The caramel perfectly balances out the chocolate in a way that excites our tastebuds, which can be a difficult challenge to step up to when flavor combinations start to become sickly. All wholesome goodness with this brand of caramel corn!
Pros
- Great Gift - It makes a great gift for family and friends and the perfect party snack!
- Non-GMO - No hydrogenated oils or GMO ingredients
- Fresh straight from the kettle - each batch is hand stirred and made in small batches.
Cons
- Problems with transit - Corn may be affected by delivery depending on the area.
EDITORS CHOICE
There’s nothing better than family-made caramel corn that has so much love and affection incorporated into every batch. And whilst that may be an exaggeration, we can feel how lovingly made this brand of caramel corn is.
Farmer Jon’s caramel popcorn recipes use European butter for that authentic taste and specially bought brown sugar to create their unique caramel corn. It's handmade in small batches with farm-fresh popcorn straight from the fields which are consistently delicious.
The tamper-proof, BPA-free plastic containers ensure you receive the freshest product available upon delivery, and the resealable lid makes for a lifesaver for preserving your secret stash of corn for more than one occasion.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough from the farm, they’ve ensured that no preservatives, artificial colors, trans fats, or MSG have been used in their recipes so you can enjoy a healthy snack with nutrients.
They’re also whole grain and are gluten-free so everyone can enjoy this snack, regardless of any diet restrictions.
We snatched ourselves a container of Farmer Jon’s caramel popcorn to try at our make-shift home movie theatre and well, it certainly stood up to the test.
It disappeared very quickly and we have never come across a more authentically made batch of caramel corn with sweet aromas that stuck to our tastebuds long after the movie.
Pros
- Farm fresh popcorn - Made with the freshest ingredients and thoughtfully chosen
- Resealable containers - No accidents with tampering
- Ideal for gift-giving - The presentation makes for go-to gift ideas
Cons
- Few Issues with Hulls - Depending on the batch
BEST VALUE
This may be the perfect snack to bring along to any movie night or friendly get-together you’ve ever seen! Popcornopolis caramel corn is so versatile for any event, festival, pantry, lunch snack and I could go on but we’d be here for days.
The packaging just screams ‘bring me to your movie nights!’ it encapsulates that 50s movie theatre energy with red, and golden yellow hues, and the packaging has been just as well thought out as the recipe for the caramel corn itself!
This brand of caramel corn is available in three very different sizes, ranging from 3-ounce bags, 9.5-ounce bags, and 24-ounce bags so there’s a bag size for every event or snacker out there.
It’s available in many flavors but our favorite is the caramel corn that is the ‘piece de la resistance’ with a French hand gesture to make our point more dramatic for you.
This brand of caramel corn is made using pure sugar cane, light corn syrup, coconut oil, butter, popcorn, corn oil, vanilla extract, salt, soy lecithin, and baking soda so you can see the exact recipe for yourself and know that it is the most authentically made batch of caramel corn out there.
It’s also certified gluten-free, and popped in coconut oil using Non-GMO American grown corn.
Pros
- Make for perfect Christmas gifts - Brings holiday cheer and happiness
- Fresh and Authentic ingredients used - No nasty flavorings or colors
- Addictive! - It will become your favorite brand of caramel corn
Cons
- Bag sizes may be too diverse - Difficult to choose one as they're so different in range.
RUNNER UP
We always support a well-trusted family recipe caramel corn and you should too with Wabash Valley Farm’s gourmet popping caramel corn.
It’s fluffy hybrid corn that has been created using fresh ingredients and a lot of love straight from the farm so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.
Or movie theatre if you want to sneak it in! And the best part? It’s an extra-large caramel corn type that contains less of those irritating flaky hulls, that most popcorns tend to have.
The corn comes in a sealed bag that resembles the most nostalgic popcorn era packagings from the past that we love so much.
You can see every corn piece from smaller pieces to larger ones so you know you're getting well-made caramel corn that is worth your time energy and tastebuds.
Our favorite thing about this brand is the taste! We got some for ourselves and it cannot be compared to any other type of caramel corn available today as it's full of buttery goodness mixed with the sweetness of the caramel.
Pros
- Large bag size - You get what you pay for!
- Authentic with fresh ingredients - Corn that has been family farm made
- Unique Recipe - Fluffy corn with a hint of caramel sweetness
Cons
- Material of Packaging may be a downside - Issues with tampering could occur
RUNNER UP
Sometimes you just can’t beat a caramel popcorn brand that has the most diverse range of flavors and sizes available to suit every individual. Do you know that sometimes they say big things come in small packages?
Well, G.H Cretors caramel corn does just that! The packaging is your standard packet of corn, but the flavors and aromas inside the bag are where the money comes from.
Size ranges include from as small as 1.5 ounces, to 8 ounces and there are 6 options available so if you’ve been struggling to find a very specific sized caramel corn packet. G.H Cretors has created one for you!
The corn has been handcrafted in old-fashioned copper kettles one batch at a time and is a crunchy and buttery caramel delight. There’s also nothing better than experiencing a traditionally made caramel corn that has a taste of the past incorporated in.
We tried the 4.5-ounce bag and were extremely satisfied with the overall experience! This is a classic take on caramel corn that hasn't been overdone so we got what we were expecting. We’ve ordered more to come because we love it so much.
Pros
- The brand dates back to 1885 - Authentically made traditional caramel corn
- Made in the USA - Using quality ingredients that are gluten-free and is Non-GMO popcorn.
- Great Snack - For school lunchtimes, or snack time at work
Cons
- Addictive - You just won’t be able to put it down
RUNNER UP
We just had to fit in a popcorn presented in the old American style buckets for you to try out and the best thing is that Popcornopolis has created a caramel corn banger once again that is off the charts!
The packaging includes a tin-based material so you can be assured the safety of your precious caramel corn has been thoroughly thought out. There’s not a chance of any break-ins happening with this tin and it’s robust, sturdy, and pretty to look at!
It also reminded up of an old-fashioned movie theatre when we tried it for ourselves because of how gigantic the tin is! We loved it and highly recommend it to anyone as you not only get the most delicious caramel corn available but also a lot of fun out of it too.
So, this tin comes in a 1.26-gallon gift tin that is filled to the brim with luscious, crunchy caramel corn and is a gourmet take on a timeless corn creation.
There are about 28 cups in this tin which is suitable for parties of 15 or more. However, if this party is for 1 we’re not here to judge as we’ve tried it ourselves...it’s worthy of eating in one sitting.
Pros
- Quality crafted corn - American grown kernels cooked with gluten-free corn syrup
- Perfect for parties and gifts - Easy to delight a crowd
- Eye-popping presentation - Tin has iconic signature stripes motif
Cons
- Large tin - Could be too big for what you’re looking for if it’s a snack
Best Caramel Corn Buying Guide
Sentimental
When searching for the most authentically made caramel corn, we look for presentation, taste, and overall quality as the top tear things that factor into helping us make our decision. Sometimes we forget about the sentimental value behind the product and experience because we subconsciously choose this factor without knowing so.
Something as simple as popcorn can have an extreme sentimental value pinned to it, products and items can dig up memories from childhoods and favorite moments with our loved ones.
And caramel corn can easily take our minds back to a time where popcorn and outfoot movie theatres went hand in hand. And that buttery, flavorsome snack, can unearth some wonderful bittersweet memories from the past. And you’ve got the corn to thank.
Flavors
When choosing a caramel corn snack to enjoy by yourself, or with loved ones, the flavors need to be reminiscent of good times and warm feelings.
Popcorn itself has that buttery uplifting taste and the caramel brings a warm sense of belonging to the snack. Think of these things when trying a new brand of caramel corn and you’ll never choose wrong again!
You also want caramel corn that is the perfect balance between buttery and sweet so you can enjoy your snack to its best limit. If the balance is off, you may find it too sickly, or too sweet for your own taste. Learn what you like in caramel corns and you won’t go wrong.
Quality Over Quantity
With popcorn, the varieties come in so many different sizes and packaging. And while most are wonderful regardless of the size difference, you want to be purchasing caramel corn that balances quality and quantity.
For obvious reasons, quality is more important, but you want to be getting a decent amount of popcorn in your bag, packet, or bucket. Don’t settle for less than you deserve!
And if you can find caramel corn that puts both quantity and quality forward in their creations, it's a win-win situation, my friend! You truly do get the best of both worlds.
Ingredients
Caramel corn should be made authentically and preferably with traditional methods. You can’t beat the taste of a classically made corn that has been made using materials and equipment as old as the brand itself. So, do some research to find out how your favorite caramel corn is being made.
Typically ingredients like corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, salt, coconut oil, baking soda, pure sugar cane, and vanilla extracts are used to create the most unique tastes of caramel corn.
Be sure to check out any extra ingredients that have been added or removed for your taste pleasure, because while most brands of popcorn remove any GMO, artificial colors, and preservatives, some don’t take this into consideration.
A little research into what you’re putting into your body goes a long way because popcorn has been made traditionally for a long time and should continue to be made with no extra ingredients that could be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to make caramel corn?
The best way to make caramel corn is by adding your favorite brand of popcorn to a large shallow roasting pan preheated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit whilst preparing your caramel.
Then, for the caramel mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a heavy saucepan. The rest is history, you combine the both when mixed fully and enjoy your homemade caramel corn snack.
Why is my caramel corn grainy?
If the texture of your caramel corn is grainy and has a sandy texture, it means it's been crystallized because the caramel corn was too hot in the pan, or because corn syrup wasn’t added.
You must watch closely to ensure you get a smooth consistency throughout. The cooking of the caramel is just as important as the corn itself, one without the other doesn’t add up for a beautifully made caramel corn snack.
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