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Caramel Popcorn in the Ninja Foodi

Sweet, buttery, and perfectly crisp, this Ninja Foodi Caramel Popcorn recipe makes rich, golden caramel corn with easy cleanup and irresistible flavor.
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Ingredients
  

For the Popcorn:
  • 2 Tbsp ghee
  • 1 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 Tbsp extra-fine salt or popcorn salt
For the Caramel:
  • 2 sticks 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • ½ cup dark Karo syrup
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla powder
  • Sprinkle of flaky salt
Optional Southern Flare:
  • 1 to 1½ cups pecans peanuts, or walnuts (for caramel-nut popcorn)

Method
 

Make the Popcorn:
  1. Turn your Ninja Foodi Pot to the Sear/Sauté setting.
  2. Add ghee, popcorn kernels, and salt.
  3. Cover loosely with the lid or a splatter guard.
  4. Pop for about 5 minutes, until the popping slows to a few seconds between pops.
  5. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and let cool slightly.
  6. Remove any unpopped kernels.
  7. Rinse and dry your Foodi pot before making the caramel.
Make the Caramel & Combine:
  1. Turn the Foodi back to Sear/Sauté and add butter, brown sugar, and dark Karo syrup.
  2. Stir gently every few minutes as the mixture melts and bubbles into a golden caramel.
  3. Cook until it reaches 225°F or forms a soft ball in cold water.
  4. Carefully stir in vanilla and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Turn off the heat.
  5. Add the prepared popcorn (and nuts, if using) to the caramel, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until coated.
  6. Switch the Foodi to Bake at 250°F.
  7. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes.
  8. Around the fourth stir, the popcorn will start to separate and crisp up. By the fifth stir, it will be golden, crunchy, and evenly coated.

Notes

For a true Southern twist, add 1 to 1½ cups pecans before baking. You can also try peanuts or walnuts for a caramel-nut blend that’s buttery, nutty, and downright irresistible.
Tips & Notes
The Ninja Foodi’s nonstick pot makes cleanup incredibly easy.
Store cooled caramel popcorn in airtight containers or bags for up to a week.
For a gourmet touch, drizzle cooled popcorn with melted white or dark chocolate before serving.