These caramel apple popcorn balls have great caramel apple flavor. Add a popsicle stick and dip them in white chocolate to make them an even more fun treat!

white chocolate dipped caramel apple popcorn balls with popsicle sticks and baking twine bows.

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.

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 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!

frozen apple juice concentrate and butter in bottom of pan.

apple juice concentrate and butter cooked down ready for caramel.

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.

melted caramel with concentrated apple juice mixed in, ready for popcorn for popcorn balls.

popcorn coated in apple flavored caramel ready to make popcorn balls.

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

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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.

freshly formed caramel apple popcorn balls on wax paper with popsicle sticks inserted.

dipping caramel apple popcorn balls in white chocolate with tray of chopped peanuts nearby .

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!

Carlee’s Tips and Tricks

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.

hand holding upside down caramel apple popcorn ball on popsicle stick.

white chocolate dipped caramel apple popcorn balls with bites missing.

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!

5 from 5 ratings

Caramel Apple Popcorn Balls

Author: Carlee

Servings: Popcorn Balls

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!

Prep: 15

Cook: 10

Total: 25

Equipment

Le Creuset Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt., Deep Teal

Ingredients

▢ 18 cups popped popcorn
▢ ½ cup frozen apple juice concentrate
▢ 4 Tablespoons butter
▢ 16 ounces Kraft caramels or similar
▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 pound white chocolate
▢ Optional: popsicle sticks chopped peanuts, sprinkles

Instructions

Pick through 18 cups popped popcorn and be sure there aren’t any unpopped kernels in there.
In a large dutch oven or stock pot, cook the ½ cup frozen apple juice concentrate and 4 Tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until it simmers. Stir constantly until its volume is reduced by half. It should be visibly thicker.
Reduce the heat to low and add the 16 ounces Kraft caramels to the pot. Continue to stir until the caramels are completely melted. Stir in the ¼ teaspoon salt and remove from heat.
Add popcorn to the pot and stir to coat.
Grease hands well. Take a large handful of popcorn mixture and form into a ball about the size of a baseball. Place on a piece of wax paper to set. Continue until all popcorn has been used.
If desired, insert popsicle sticks.
Melt the 1 pound white chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave. Start with a 30 second burst, then stir well. Continue heating the chocolate 15 seconds at a time just until it will stir smooth. Be sure not to burn the chocolate.
1 pound white chocolate
Dip the bottom half of the popcorn ball into the melted chocolate, coat with nuts or sprinkles if desired. Place back on the wax paper to set up.
Wrap in plastic wrap or cellophane and store at room temperature.