Caramel Apple Popcorn Balls

Thanks for sharing!

Delicious popcorn balls held together with caramel that sings with the flavor of concentrated apple are a fall must try. Add a popsicle stick and dip them in white chocolate to make them an even more fun treat!

These fun caramel popcorn balls are flavored with real apple juice. They are delicious as is, but even more fun when dipped in white chocolate.

Add a popsicle stick to complete the transformation from popcorn ball to caramel apple. These fun treats are perfect for fall parties either as dessert or as a parting favor.

I am so excited to be starting another week devoted to apple recipes.  I look forward to this event each year and the lineup this week is fabulous.

There are so many great recipes in the lineup.  I worked up some of my favorite apple recipes yet.

Of course my blogger friends are sharing all kinds of great recipes as well.  There is bound to be something for absolutely everyone!

I was tempted to try a truffle or a filled chocolate until popcorn balls popped into my head. For some reason I think of popcorn balls are a perfect fall treat.

They seem to come out around harvest time and Halloween. Really they are a perfect special treat for times like that when portability is as important as anything.

These caramel apple popcorn balls take that autumn connection to the next level. With notes of fresh apple and sweet deep caramel they marry two perfectly fall desserts together into one amazing treat.

Making the caramel apple popcorn balls

Making the actual popcorn balls is super easy. You start by making a bunch of popcorn.

You can use your favorite popping method.  Stovetop, air popper, a few bags of microwave popcorn… it all works!

Next, take a little butter and some frozen apple juice concentrate and cooking them down to concentrate the flavors even further.   This helps to get you some discernible apple flavor without adding too much liquid and making your popcorn balls mushy.

Then add a pound of chewy caramel candies and melt them. I used a one pound tub of chewy caramel, but a bag of candies from the store would work just as well.

Now form the popcorn into baseball sized balls and place on wax or parchment paper to set. You have a fabulous fall treat already!

To take them to the next level, dip the bottoms in melted chocolate or white chocolate. Feel free to dust them with chopped nuts or sprinkles while the chocolate is wet.

Now insert a popsicle stick to make them extra cute. Wrap them up in cellophane or plastic wrap and pass them out to all of your new best friends.

Now pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Tips and tricks for making caramel apple popcorn balls

Use a big pot or bowl or plan to work in batches. I used a 7 qt Dutch oven hoping the residual heat would give me plenty of time with soft caramel to make the balls and it worked like a charm.

Grease your hands early and often! The warm caramel is sticky so keeping your hands coated with butter, shortening or even cooking spray helps keep the popcorn stuck to itself instead of you.

If well wrapped, the popcorn balls will store for up to a couple of weeks at room temperature. So they are a great make ahead treat.

Once the weather cools off, they would be a fun addition to care packages as well!

If you want to see some of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets, check out my Amazon shop page. There are great pans, appliances, and more!

Check out these fabulous apple recipes from my friends

• Apple Crumb Pie by Savory Moments
• Apple Pie Filled Cupcakes by Cookaholic Wife
• Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies by An Affair from the Heart
• Apple-Toffee Oatmeal Cookies by Books n’ Cooks
• Braised Chicken and Apples by Simple and Savory
• Caramel Apple Ice Cream by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Caramel Apple Popcorn Balls by Cooking with Carlee
• Caramel Apple Scones by Blogghetti
• Apple Butterscotch Magic Bars by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice by Snacks and Sips
• No-Churn Caramel Apple Ice Cream by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Oatmeal Apple Spice Bundt Cake by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Oatmeal Fruit Bars by The Monday Box
• Old-Fashioned Apple Fritters by Palatable Pastime
• Overnight Hazelnut Apple Oatmeal by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Vanilla Fried Apples by Caroline’s Cooking
• Vegan Apple Almond Pancakes with Apple Maple Syrup by The Baking Fairy

Thanks for sharing!