Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn

This Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn is seriously addictive. Drenched in rich, buttery salted caramel, baked until perfectly crisp & then finished with lashings of chocolate, it is totally & utterly delicious & absolutely dairy free! 

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Truth be told, I’m not the biggest popcorn lover, especially the kind you buy at the movie theatre. To me it’s like eating buttery, salted cardboard and the smell of it makes me cringe.

I do like it when I make it myself though, because I can load it up with yummy flavours like I have with this Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn and I have a special trick for making it super crispy too!

Am I in the minority with the movie theatre popcorn thing? I guess I am judging by the line-up before each show, but, even if you do like movie theatre popcorn, you’re going to love this too in a whole other kind of way!

As you know by now, I am all about flavour. Everything I eat has to be packed with it, otherwise what’s the point?

So to make my popcorn taste amazing, I drench it in my very popular, and really flavourful Five Minute Vegan Caramel Sauce recipe. If you have made that recipe then you know how yummy it is!

Then comes the secret step that turns it from soggy cardboard to crunchy deliciousness.

I’ll let you in on how that’s done in my step by step direction below.

 HOW TO MAKE THE CRUNCHIEST CARAMEL CHOCOLATE VEGAN POPCORN

FOR FULL INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST

STEP 1

The fun part..Pop the corn. There’s just something about the corn kernels popping that makes me smile!

STEP 2

Make the caramel sauce

STEP 3

Toss the popped corn in the caramel sauce

STEP 4

Spread out on a lined baking tray then oven bake until super-duper crispy (that’s the secret for transforming the cardboard texture into the crunchiest popcorn you have probably ever eaten!

To line your baking sheet, you can use parchment paper or a Silpat.

If you aren’t familiar with Silpat’s here is what they look like:

They are non-stick silicone mats and are so handy for lining baking trays. I rarely use parchment paper now unless I need to line the bottom of a cake pan. Nothing sticks to them and they last for ages. I’ve had mine for years.

STEP 5

Drizzle over copious amounts of chocolate

STEP 6

Refrigerate or freeze for a few minutes until the chocolate sets, then break up into clumpy pieces.

STEP 7

Store in an airtight container

…If it survives long enough…

So there you have it. My trick for making properly crispy, crunchy, vegan popcorn that tastes amazing!

It’s perfect for snacking on, serving up at parties and for taking to the movies!

I am loving this Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn because it’s:

• super crispy
• drenched in rich, salted caramel
• drizzled in chocolate
• so decadent
• really quick and easy to make
• and totally addictive (don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

Just look at that caramel drenched deliciousness 😍

It’s ridiculously good. A batch disappears in minutes here every time I make it!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
If you did, be a ☆ and let me know what you think by rating it and commenting below. Tag me on Instagram too. I am @avirtualvegan and my hashtag is #avirtualvegan 

5 from 3 votes

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Vegan Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

This popcorn is seriously addictive. Drenched in rich, buttery salted caramel, baked until perfectly crisp & then finished with lashings of chocolate, it is totally & utterly delicious & absolutely dairy free!

Course Snack

Recipe Type gluten-free, vegan

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 12 ½ cup servings

Calories 124 kcal

Author Melanie McDonald

Ingredients

For the popcorn

• 75g | 1/3 cup popcorn kernels

For the caramel

• 100g | 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 1/4 heaping teaspoon salt

For the chocolate drizzle

• 90g | 1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Warm a large heavy bottomed pan with a lid, over medium heat until hot. Pour in the popcorn kernels and put the lid on tightly. Move them around frequently by gently moving the pan. They will start popping after about 30 seconds.

2. Keep watching/listening until the popping stops then remove from the heat but keep the lid on in case a rogue kernel decides to surprise you!

3. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

4. Add the coconut sugar and water to a small saucepan and warm over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and it is just starting the bubble. 

5. Remove from the heat and add the coconut oil, tahini and salt. Stir really well until it is smooth. It is normal to see some pale flecks throughout. If lumps persist or it doesn't combine well put the pan back over a low heat and continue stirring. It will come together.

6. Remove the lid from the popcorn kernels and pour over the caramel. Be careful as it will be very hot. Stir until coated evenly. 

7. Pour onto a baking tray lined with either a Silpat or baking parchment and spread out into a single layer. Put in the oven and bake for around 15 minutes until crunchy and golden.

8. Melt the chocolate chips over simmering water, or gently in a microwave, then drizzle over the popcorn with a spoon.

9. Place the tray in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set. If you are in a hurry you can put it in the freezer for 10 minutes. Once the chocolate is set break into pieces and store in an airtight container where it will keep well for a few days.

Recipe Notes

Feel free to omit the chocolate if you prefer to just have caramel flavour. 

 

 

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

Amount Per Serving (1 ½ cup serving)

Calories 124 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6g 9%

Saturated Fat 3.4g 17%

Sodium 53mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%

Dietary Fiber 1.5g 6%

Sugars 2112g

Protein 1.4g 3%

Calcium 51%

Iron 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The original image from Oct 2015, before I updated the post and photographs in May 2018