This homemade honey caramel corn recipe proves you don’t need corn syrup for perfectly crunchy, golden results. Using natural sweeteners like honey and brown sugar, this healthy caramel corn alternative delivers the classic taste you love while being a better-for-you party snack option.

This Salted Honey Almond Caramel Corn is an addictive snack you can give as a gift or serve to a crowd. This caramel corn is made without corn-syrup and uses honey instead - it also has a sprinkle of sea salt!

Meet my new favorite snack: the best caramel corn you’ve ever had! No corn syrup to be seen here. This recipe is sweetened with honey and brown sugar for a delicious, crunchy treat. It has added almonds for delicious crunch, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to help cut through all the sweetness.

This gluten-free caramel corn makes an excellent:

  • Homemade food gift (so cute in a tin!)
  • Party snack
  • Movie night treat
  • Holiday gathering dessert

Prefer a vegan version with maple syrup? I’m obsessed with this Maple Peanut Puffed Corn recipe!

Why Make Caramel Corn Without Corn Syrup?

Traditional recipes often rely on corn syrup, but this healthy caramel corn recipe proves you can achieve that perfect crunch naturally. Using honey and brown sugar creates a deep, rich flavor while keeping ingredients simple and wholesome.

This Salted Honey Almond Caramel Corn is an addictive snack you can give as a gift or serve to a crowd. This caramel corn is made without corn-syrup and uses honey instead - it also has a sprinkle of sea salt!

Let’s make the best caramel corn

This caramel corn recipe starts with making the gooey caramel coating for the popcorn. Most traditional caramel popcorn recipes use corn syrup for the caramel. I’m not the biggest fan of using corn syrup for health reasons, so I substituted honey to make this caramel popcorn without corn syrup. Honey also adds a depth of flavor that corn syrup lacks.

To make the caramel, you’ll simmer butter with honey and brown sugar, plus a pinch of salt. After the brown sugar caramel simmers for a few minutes, you’ll add baking soda and vanilla extract, which creates a fizzy effect in the caramel that creates a lighter texture. Then, you’ll use a BIG bowl to toss it with the popcorn and almonds.

I used two types of almonds for this recipe: honey-roasted almonds and lightly salted almonds, both from Blue Diamond. I used 1/2 cup of each, but if you prefer to use just one you can use all of one flavor. The almonds are such a delicious surprise when you’re chowing your way through a handful of this popcorn.

This Salted Honey Almond Caramel Corn is an addictive snack you can give as a gift or serve to a crowd. This caramel corn is made without corn-syrup and uses honey instead - it also has a sprinkle of sea salt!

After your almonds and popcorn are well coated with the honey caramel, you’ll bake the mixture low and slow for an hour. Make sure you stir every 15 minutes to ensure the popcorn doesn’t burn!

As soon as it’s done, give it a hearty sprinkle of flaky sea salt. My favorite is Maldon. Now, use all the willpower you can muster and try not to eat it all as it cools.

I devoured almost half of this salted honey almond caramel corn before it even left the pan – it’s that good! Enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How long does caramel corn last?
    When stored properly in an airtight container, this homemade caramel popcorn stays fresh for up to one week.
  2. Can I make this party snack ahead of time?
    Yes! This homemade caramel popcorn recipe creates treats that stay fresh for up to a week when stored properly.
  3. How do I keep my caramel corn crispy?
    The key to crunchy caramel corn is proper baking and storage. Bake thoroughly, cool completely and store in an airtight container.
  4. Why isn’t corn syrup needed?
    Natural sweeteners like honey and brown sugar provide the perfect sticky coating and crunch, making corn syrup unnecessary.
This Salted Honey Almond Caramel Corn is an addictive snack you can give as a gift or serve to a crowd. This caramel corn is made without corn-syrup and uses honey instead - it also has a sprinkle of sea salt!

Want more sweet snacks?

Maple Peanut Puffed Corn

Maple Peanut Puffed Corn is a deliciously easy 5-ingredient snack mix that you’ll be devouring. It’s perfect by the handful, or as my sister enjoys it, with a little milk as a homemade cereal. This gluten-free vegan snack is crunchy, flavorful, and easily customizable.

Get the recipe

Easy Chocolate Oatmeal Bites

These Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites take just five minutes to make and are the perfect super easy snack! Made with just eight ingredients, these oatmeal balls are super customizable, gluten-free, vegan, and delicious.

Get the recipe
This Healthy Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix is crunchy, sweet, and SO easy to make with just seven ingredients! It's perfect for snacking on, using as a crunchy topping, or giving as a gift.

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix

This Healthy Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix is crunchy, sweet, and SO easy to make with just seven ingredients! It’s perfect for snacking on, using as a crunchy topping, or giving as a gift.

Get the recipe
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
This Salted Honey Almond Caramel Corn is an addictive snack you can give as a gift or serve to a crowd. This caramel corn is made without corn-syrup and uses honey instead - it also has a sprinkle of sea salt!

Homemade Caramel Corn Without Corn Syrup

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Rachel Conners
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Total Time: 70 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cups 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This homemade honey caramel corn recipe proves you don’t need corn syrup for perfectly crunchy, golden results. Using natural sweeteners like honey and brown sugar, this healthy caramel corn alternative delivers the classic taste you love while being a better-for-you party snack option.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 10 cups freshly popped popcorn
  • 1/2 cup Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Almonds, roughly chopped, optional
  • 1/2 cup Blue Diamond Lightly Salted Almonds, roughly chopped, optional
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 250°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the popcorn and almonds in a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the caramel. I recommend using the largest bowl you have to make stirring the caramel in cleaner and easier!
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, honey, and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let boil for 4 minutes. If you have a candy thermometer, heat the sugar mixture until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) for maximum crunch. Watch carefully as it can burn quickly. Look for a deep amber color, but not dark brown.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. This will cause the mixture the bubble up so stir rapidly until you have a thick, smooth caramel sauce.
  5. Quickly pour over the popcorn and almonds, stirring as you pour to cover it all in the caramel mixture.
  6. Divide the mixture between the two prepared baking sheets and spread into a mostly even layer. Bake for 1 hour, stirring the popcorn every 15 minutes and rotating the sheets if they’re on different levels in your oven.
  7. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with sea salt. Let cool completely before serving. Keep stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes

For storage: Allow to cool completely before storing. Keep in an airtight container. Your caramel corn will stay fresh and crispy for up to a week at room temperature.

Thanks to Blue Diamond Almonds for sponsoring this post!

Share This: