Name: Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 11 cups popped plain unsalted popcorn; 4 cups Kettle Brand Sea Salt Kettle Chips, slightly crushed to about 2 1/2 cups; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup corn syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 3/4 cup milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips; Sprinkles (optional)

There’s something utterly addictive about the sweet crunch of caramel mixed with that salty, crunchy kick of chips and popcorn. This Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite snacks to whip up for movie nights or casual gatherings—because it’s just that good!

A close-up view of a red bowl filled with caramel popcorn mixed with light brown potato chips. The popcorn is coated with a shiny caramel layer, drizzled with thin lines of chocolate, and sprinkled with small red, green, and white round sprinkles. Some popcorn and chips are spilled around the bowl on a white marbled surface with a red and green cloth in the background. The texture of the caramel popcorn is slightly shiny and sticky, while the potato chips are smooth and crisp. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe nails the perfect balance between sweet and salty, crunchy and gooey. It’s one of those snacks that feels fancy without needing any fancy equipment or ingredients—just a few pantry staples and a bit of love.

Unique Flavor Combo: The kettle chips bring a salty, crispy element that turns ordinary caramel popcorn into something extraordinary.
Simple & Fun to Make: You won’t need complicated techniques or tools to get this cracked caramel coating just right.
Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s game day or a casual party, this popcorn always disappears fast.
Customizable: Add chocolate, sprinkles, or your favorite nuts to create your own twist.

This image shows a close-up of a mix of caramel popcorn and thin apple slices spread in one even layer. The popcorn is golden and shiny from caramel coating, with some white fluffy parts visible. The apple slices are light yellow with some texture, mixed within the popcorn. Thin dark brown chocolate lines are drizzled diagonally over the whole mix. Small red, green and white round sprinkles are scattered on top, adding tiny specks of color. The whole scene is laid on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here brings its own magic that makes this caramel kettle chip popcorn shine. From the salty crunch of kettle chips to the glossy caramel glaze, these flavors and textures pair beautifully.

Flat lay of a large simple white ceramic bowl filled with fresh popped plain unsalted popcorn, a small white bowl holding slightly crushed golden kettle chips, a small white bowl containing rich golden melted butter, a small white bowl with packed light brown sugar, a small white bowl with glossy amber corn syrup, a small white bowl with smooth semi-sweet milk chocolate chips, a tiny white bowl with light tan baking soda powder, and a small white bowl with translucent vanilla extract liquid, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly arranged in balanced symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Plain unsalted popcorn: Using plain popcorn lets the caramel and kettle chip flavor stand out without competition from extra salt or butter.
Kettle Brand Sea Salt Kettle Chips: These chips are crunchy and perfectly salty, adding that signature kettle chip crunch that makes this popcorn unforgettable.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps create that silky caramel texture.
Light brown sugar: Offers deep, molasses-y sweetness essential for rich caramel flavor.
Corn syrup: Keeps the caramel smooth and glossy, preventing crystallization.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the caramel’s flavor.
Baking soda: Reacts with the caramel to create a lighter, almost fluffy texture—plus that beautiful foam you’ll see.
Chocolate chips: Melting chocolate over the top adds a decadent finishing touch that’s absolutely heavenly.
Sprinkles (optional): Just for a little festive sparkle — fun to add if you’re serving to kids or at a party.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up this Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate to mix things up. It’s really fun to make this recipe your own.

Nutty Twist: Once, I sprinkled chopped toasted pecans on top right before the chocolate set. It added a lovely crunch and a nutty flavor that I couldn’t get enough of.
Dairy-Free Version: I’ve swapped butter for coconut oil and used dairy-free chocolate chips to make this suitable for dairy-free friends—and it worked beautifully!
Seasonal Spice: Around holidays, a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice feels just right with the caramel.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Popcorn and Kettle Chips

Start by popping your plain unsalted popcorn—if you prefer, air pop it for a lighter base. Place the popcorn and slightly crushed kettle chips in a very large mixing bowl. I like to crush the kettle chips gently by hand so they’re about the size of regular popcorn pieces. This step ensures every bite gets that perfect salty crunch.

Step 2: Make the Caramel Sauce

Melt the butter slowly over medium heat in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup, and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. Once boiling, let it bubble away for 5 minutes without stirring—if you have a candy thermometer, you’re aiming for about 252°F for that perfect caramel stage.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Baking Soda

Remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will foam up dramatically—this is what makes your caramel light and gives that irresistible texture. Don’t be alarmed, that foaming is exactly what you want!

Step 4: Coat Popcorn and Bake

Carefully drizzle the hot caramel over the popcorn and kettle chips, tossing immediately but gently so everything is evenly coated. Spread this mixture on a baking sheet lined with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Bake at 250°F for 1 hour, tossing every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and crunchiness. If you’re adding sprinkles, do it right after the baking time so they stick without melting.

Step 5: Drizzle with Chocolate

While the popcorn cools, melt your chocolate chips in the microwave on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate into a small bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle it over the popcorn. Let it set at room temperature or pop it in the fridge for faster solidifying.

Step 6: Break Apart and Enjoy!

Once the chocolate is set, gently break your popcorn into clusters. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature, and try not to eat it all in one sitting—I know how tempting that is!

Top Tip

Making caramel can feel a bit intimidating if it’s your first time, but trust me, a few simple tips helped me get this right on the first try—and will help you too!

Temperature Control: Use a candy thermometer if possible. It takes the guesswork out and prevents burning your caramel.
Foaming Action: Don’t skip the baking soda—it changes the texture of the caramel so it coats the popcorn perfectly without feeling too heavy.
Tossing During Baking: Tossing every 15 minutes while baking keeps the popcorn from sticking and ensures an even crunchiness.
Chocolate Drizzle: Let the popcorn cool a bit before drizzling chocolate to avoid melting the caramel and losing crispness.

How to Serve Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe

caramel kettle chip popcorn - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a light sprinkle of festive rainbow sprinkles for parties—they add a fun pop of color and a tiny bit of extra sweetness. Occasionally, I toss on some flaky sea salt just before serving to boost that salty-sweet contrast even more.

Side Dishes

This popcorn pairs beautifully with a cold drink—think chilled lemonade for summer, or a cozy cup of hot chocolate in winter. If you want to go savory alongside, simple roasted nuts or cheese cubes complement this snack surprisingly well.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or movie nights, I love packing this popcorn into clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon. It doubles as a cool party favor and snack. Another fun idea is layering it in a large glass jar to show off the mix of caramel, kettle chips, and chocolate drizzle—instant eye candy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep my leftover caramel kettle chip popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature, and it usually stays fresh and crispy for about a week. Just make sure it’s sealed well to avoid that dreaded stale popcorn texture.

Freezing

Freezing this popcorn isn’t really my go-to because caramel can sometimes soften when thawed, but if you want to freeze it, keep it in a tightly sealed freezer bag and thaw at room temperature before serving. Just note the texture might be a little different.

Reheating

If the popcorn loses some crispness after storing, I spread it on a baking sheet and warm it in the oven at 250°F for 5–10 minutes to bring back that crunch. Just keep an eye on it to prevent the caramel from burning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of chips in this recipe?

Absolutely! While sea salt kettle chips are ideal for that classic sweet and salty kick, you can also try BBQ-flavored kettle chips for a smoky twist or even plain potato chips if that’s what you have on hand.

Why do I need to add baking soda to the caramel?

Adding baking soda creates a chemical reaction that causes the caramel to foam and become lighter. This results in a less dense, more delicate coating on the popcorn instead of a hard candy shell.

How can I prevent the caramel from burning?

Constant stirring as the caramel mixture heats, and closely monitoring the temperature, are key to preventing burning. Using a candy thermometer helps you hit the perfect temperature without going too far.

What’s the best way to drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn?

Melting the chocolate slowly at 50% microwave power and then placing it in a resealable bag with a tiny cut at the corner makes for easy, controlled drizzling that looks beautiful and tastes amazing.

Final Thoughts

This Caramel Kettle Chip Popcorn Recipe is one of those joyful snacks that never fails to impress, whether it’s a quiet night in or a celebration with friends. I’ve made this batch after batch, tweaking just enough to suit my cravings, and it always brings a smile. You’re going to love breaking it into sweet, salty, crunchy clusters and sharing the experience with whoever’s lucky enough to be around. Give it a try—you might find it becoming your new go-to snack too!