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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: May 21, 2018 · Modified: Oct 24, 2019 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 15 Comments

    Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn

    5 from 12 votes
    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Vegan Chocolate Caramel Popcorn in a bowl

    Seriously good Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn! Drenched in rich, buttery salted caramel, baked until perfectly crisp & then finished with lashings of chocolate. It's totally & utterly delicious & vegan/dairy-free!

    close up hot of caramel chocolate vegan popcorn in a bowl

    Seriously good Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn with my special trick for making it really super crispy!

    To make this vegan popcorn taste amazing, I drench it in my very popular, and really flavourful Five Minute Vegan Caramel Sauce. If you have made that recipe before 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 directions below!

    Caramel vegan popcorn with a drizzle of chocolate

     How To Make The Crunchiest Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn

    1. Start with the fun part...Popping the corn. There's just something about the corn kernels popping that makes me smile!
    2. Make the quick and easy caramel sauce.
    3. Toss the popped corn in the caramel sauce.
    4. Then comes my popcorn secret! Spread it out on a lined baking tray and oven-bake until super-duper crispy. It will turn into the crunchiest popcorn you have ever eaten!
    5. Drizzle over copious amounts of chocolate then refrigerate or freeze for a few minutes until the chocolate sets.
    6. Break up into clumpy pieces and store in an airtight container.

    To line your baking sheet, you can use parchment paper or a Silpat. Silpats are non-stick silicone mats and are so handy for lining baking trays. I rarely use parchment paper now. Nothing sticks to them and they last for ages. I've had mine for years.

    melted chocolate being drizzled on popcorn

    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 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 so good! (don't say I didn't warn you!)

    Just look at that caramel-drenched deliciousness!

    close up up crispy caramel chocolate vegan popcorn

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe

    Vegan Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 12 votes
    Seriously good Caramel Chocolate Vegan Popcorn! Drenched in rich, buttery salted caramel, baked until perfectly crisp & then finished with lashings of chocolate. It's totally & utterly delicious & vegan/dairy-free!
    PRINT PIN SAVE Saved!
    PREP TIME: 15 minutes minutes
    COOK TIME: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 x ½ cup servings

    Ingredients
      

    For the popcorn

    • 75g (⅓ cup) popcorn kernels

    For the caramel

    • 100g (½ cup) coconut or dark brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil , or vegan butter
    • 2 tablespoons tahini
    • ¼ heaping teaspoon sea salt

    For the chocolate drizzle

    • 90g (½ cup) dairy free chocolate chips
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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/vegan butter, 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 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.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1½ cup serving | Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1.4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3.4g | Sodium: 53mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 2112g | Calcium: 510mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Did you make this recipe?Rate it & leave feedback in the comments section below. I love seeing your remakes too. Tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram! 🌟
    « Teriyaki Instant Pot Rice
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lacey says

      August 03, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this definitely hit the spot for a lighter sweet! I added extra tahini for bite and used 85% chocolate pieces for a darker take. Superb!

      Reply
    2. Michelle says

      December 19, 2019 at 3:26 am

      5 stars
      I've made this recipe numerous times and LOVE it!!! Great to munch on or great to give as a gift! It's a winner!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 19, 2019 at 8:57 am

        Thank you Michelle. I'm really pleased you're enjoying it!

        Reply
    3. Kelly says

      March 05, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        March 05, 2019 at 7:33 pm

        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!

        Reply
    4. Brigitte says

      February 16, 2019 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    5. Michelle Mather says

      November 07, 2018 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        November 07, 2018 at 10:57 am

        So pleased you are enjoying it Michelle!

        Reply
    6. Kelly says

      May 29, 2018 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      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!!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        May 29, 2018 at 4:21 pm

        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!

        Reply
    7. Ellie says

      October 26, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing!

      Reply
      • Netta says

        February 03, 2016 at 2:35 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • A Virtual Vegan says

          February 03, 2016 at 3:16 pm

          You are welcome Netta. I am so glad it worked out for you :0)

          Reply
    8. Randy says

      October 24, 2015 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      Great! Another use for my tahini.

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        October 24, 2015 at 6:06 am

        It's so good in this caramel!

        Reply

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