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
Vegan Chocolate Caramel Popcorn
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
- 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.
- 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!
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the lid from the popcorn kernels and pour over the caramel. Be careful as it will be very hot. Stir until coated evenly.
- 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.
- Melt the chocolate chips over simmering water, or gently in a microwave, then drizzle over the popcorn with a spoon.
- 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.
Notes
Estimated nutrition per serving:
The original image from Oct 2015, before I updated the post and photographs in May 2018
Long time vegan, creator of A Virtual Vegan & author of the book 
Kelly says
Took this to a work party today and everyone RAVED about it! So delicious and deceptively healthy! I ran out of coconut sugar mid-recipe so I added maple sugar and organic cane sugar to make up the difference and it turned out a bit lighter in color but still tasted wonderful. Thanks for such a great recipe!
A Virtual Vegan says
That’s awesome Kelly! I’m glad it was a hit. Thanks so muhc for stopping by to leave a comment. I really appreciate it!
Brigitte says
I just finished baking the popcorn , I replaced the tahini by crunchy natural peanut butter , it’s not your sugary caramel flavored popcorn a healthier version . It came out super crunchy and fresh I was amazed by the texture . I like to eat healthy and this is very good recipe . The coconut palm sugar is not too sweet but if you like sweet you probably would like organic brown sugar or a substitute . Next time I will add 2 more table spoon crunchy peanut butter. I never looked for making my own sweet popcorn , I bought skinny popcorn and my husband didn’t like it so I transformed it with this recipe.
Michelle Mather says
I’ve made this numerous times and had a hankering for it today, so luckily was able to find it again! Yay! Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
A Virtual Vegan says
So pleased you are enjoying it Michelle!
Kelly says
This tasted AMAZING!! My caramel wasn’t as brown as yours though….any guesses why? I left in in the oven for almost 20 minutes. Maybe I should’ve left the caramel on the stove longer? Thanks for all the great recipes!!
A Virtual Vegan says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kelly! The colour could be something as simple as my tahini or coconut sugar being a bit darker than yours. Different brands are all a little different. You don’t need to cook the caramel longer. You could always leave the popcorn in the oven a tiny bit longer to make it darker but keep a careful eye because it goes from ok to burnt very quickly. Thank you for stopping by to leave feedback. It’s much appreciated!
Anca says
You are right, this might be addictive :) It looks delicious, perfect for a night in, cuddled up on the sofa watching a movie :)
A Virtual Vegan says
Lol Anca… I KNOW it’s addictive…. Don’t ask me how many times I have made it! ?
Ellie says
This looks amazing, but can I ask – is there going to be any difference if I use unrefined brown sugar (e.g. demerara) instead of coconut sugar? I don’t think I can get my hands on coconut sugar any time soon.
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Ellie. Thank you! I have never tried it with brown sugar. I am pretty sure that it will work but I can’t guarantee because I have never tried it myself. It might take a little longer for it to melt than I state in the recipe and be extra careful not to stir it at all while it’s melting and before you add the tahini and coconut oil. Just swirl it in the pan.
Coconut sugar has a really carameley flavour and brown sugar doesn’t so much so the caramel might not be as to die for, but it will still be good.
I think I will try it myself with regular sugar tomorrow then I can amend the recipe to say whether it works or not. If you try it before let me know how it goes!
Netta says
I made this today for the first time with brown sugar instead of coconut sugar and it was delicious, of course I don’t know how it compares though! Thank you for the recipe!
A Virtual Vegan says
You are welcome Netta. I am so glad it worked out for you :0)
GiselleR says
YES! to this all the way. Definitely trying this on my next movie night :D
A Virtual Vegan says
Enjoy your movie night! ?
Randy says
Great! Another use for my tahini.
A Virtual Vegan says
It’s so good in this caramel!
athleticavocado says
i thought caramel popcorn was great, then you added the chocolate! YUM!
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! Yes it is great but caramel and chocolate is too good a combo to miss! ?