My Salted Caramel Popcorn is a delight. It only takes 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up a batch of this sugar-free Trim Healthy Mama friendly treat.
Salted Caramel Popcorn - THM E, Sugar Free, Low Fat
This is a Trim Healthy Mama Energizing or E recipe. That means that it is low in fat and has a moderate amount of healthy carbs. The basis of THM is fuel cycling or splitting up meals into higher fat/low carb and low fat/healthy carb.
For my low carb and keto friends I'm sorry this probably has too many carbs for you. I think my method would also work on pork rinds. Come back and let me know if you try! Or try this Keto Popcorn recipe!
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Sweetly candied popcorn is something I cannot have in the house. It is a food without brakes for me and I just grab a bite every once in a while until it's all gone. No sugar added sweet popcorn is one of the few products I have not seen commercially made.
The last time I made a batch of my cocoa krispies I thought to myself how well the syrup would work on popcorn. I was right! I spent a day last week playing around with different flavors.
I had my readers on Facebook and Instagram vote on which one I should share first. The flavors were salted caramel, cinnamon roll, and chocolate peanut butter. I think you can guess which one won.
My kids love popcorn too so a year or so ago we bought a silicone microwave popcorn popper. It's great. You just pour in some kernels, put the lid on, and microwave. They can do it themselves. That is a mom win in my book. We stock up on this organic white popcorn.
Make sure to try my Raspberry Lemonade Popcorn next! And if you want another snack for movie night Keto Cinnamon Pretzels are a great choice!
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups air popped popcorn
- ⅓ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 teaspoon caramel extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- Put the popped popcorn in a large bowl.
- Melt the sweetener in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and add the extracts and salt.
- Pour the caramel syrup over the popcorn. Mix well. Spread on a waxed paper lined baking sheet to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
David says
Watkins has sugar listed as second ingredient so this recipe is not sugar free. Do you know a caramel extract that doesn’t use sugar?
Taryn says
They've recently changed their recipe. I will update this asap. Trim Healthy Mama makes extracts that are sugar free. I believe Olive Nation also has a sugar-free caramel extract.
David says
I’m gonna try the hobbyland caramel drops first since it comes with a dropper. If it doesn’t work out I will try the olivenation one.
Hobbyland Candy Flavors (Caramel Flavoring, 1 Fl Oz), Caramel Concentrated Flavor Drops https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FNYFQJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q4t4EbXETPA1Z
David Proud says
So I tired the hobbyland. It comes in a 1oz dropper bottle. Still tweaking to get right ratio. So far Mu method has been 1.5oz kernels 2 tsp coconut oil 1/4 tsp flavacol 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 7 drops of liquid Sucralose and 10 drops of the caramel extract. I’m getting closer but still I suspect 10 drops of this extract is not enough caramel flavor. Your recipe calls for 1 tsp of caramel extract for 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract. Question is how many super concentrated caramel flavoring equals 1 tsp of extract. Some sites have suggested 1/4 tsp equals 1 tsp of extracts when they are super concentrated. I’ll keep working on it and post any updates.
David Proud says
14 drops of hobbyland caramel flavor did the trick
Taryn says
Thanks for letting me know! I recently bought the Trim Healthy Mama caramel but haven't tried it in this yet.
Abby says
Okay, I have a question. I tried it. I had a couple of problems. From the rest of the comments I've read, I assume it was "user error." My first problem was getting it to cover the popcorn evenly. It seemed like the popcorn soaked up the warm syrup so I had patches of soaked, and therefore way too sweet, kernels and patches of completely dry kernels. What is your trick for even coverage? My other issue was that, as the syrup cooled, it went back to a granulated form rather than hardening. This was rather unpleasant. So, there is my confession. Please tell me all your tricks. Thank you!
Taryn says
Did you use gentle sweet? This is essentially a candy recipe and candy recipes do have a learning curve. I just work fast when coating the popcorn. It also helps to drizzle on the syrup. A helper in the kitchen is handy. One person drizzles while the other mixes.
Kelli says
I've had some luck spreading the popcorn on a baking sheet and then drizzling the syrup over. You can get things a little more even that way.
Karen says
I don't have an airpopper Can I use regular popped popcorn?
Taryn says
Yup!
Judie says
Allison, you don’t have to stay on plan”every day”. .we have been low carb for 4years and at 80, i have put back on 7#, staying at or below 140. Point is, we treat ourselves). ie..popcorn every Sunday with game.. This week it will be Candied corn.....yum!