This Fall Harvest Caramel Corn Mix captures everything we love about autumn — sweet caramel corn, crunchy nuts, and festive add-ins like candy corn, pretzels, and chocolate candies. It’s a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy, wrapped in warm fall flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn (plain or lightly salted)
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- ½ cup peanuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup candy corn
- ½ cup M&M’s (fall colors or peanut version)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup light corn syrup (or honey)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
How to Make
- Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, then stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat, add vanilla extract and baking soda, and stir (the mixture will bubble and thicken).
- Place popcorn, pretzels, and nuts in a large mixing bowl. Pour the caramel sauce over and toss to coat evenly.
- Spread the mixture on the baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent clumping.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely — the caramel will harden as it cools.
- Once cooled, mix in candy corn and M&M’s. Break into clusters and enjoy!
You Must Know
- Make sure to toss the popcorn while it’s still warm for even caramel coverage.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week to keep it crispy.
- For extra flavor, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate after baking and cooling.
Topping Variations
- Add dried cranberries or pumpkin seeds for a harvest touch.
- Sprinkle a bit of pumpkin spice into the caramel for a cozy twist.
- Use white chocolate drizzle with orange sprinkles for a Halloween theme.
Make It a Meal (or Treat Table)
Pair this mix with:
- Warm apple cider or pumpkin spice latte
- Caramel apples or mini pumpkin muffins for a full fall dessert spread
Pro Tips
- Use freshly popped popcorn — stale popcorn won’t hold the caramel well.
- Add a pinch of sea salt at the end for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
- To avoid sticky clumps, spread the mix on a large sheet and stir occasionally while cooling.
Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I use microwave popcorn?
Yes, but choose plain or lightly salted varieties without butter flavoring.
Q: Can I make it nut-free?
Absolutely! Just omit nuts and add more pretzels or candy.
Q: How long does it last?
If sealed properly, up to 7–10 days — but it’s usually gone long before that!
Fall Harvest Caramel Corn Mix
This fun and delicious Fall Harvest Caramel Corn Mix is a fun and easy snack to enjoy all throughout the season. Salty and sweet with caramel corn, pretzels, and peanut butter chocolate pieces, making it the perfect snack to share with family and friends.
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 28 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups Crunch n’ Munch Caramel Popcorn or any homemade caramel corn
- 4 cups pretzels
- 2 cups candy corn 16.2 ounces
- 1 cup Reese’s Minis Unwrapped 7.6 ounces
- 1 cup Reese’s Pieces 9.9 ounces
Instructions
-
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve and enjoy!
-
Store mix in an air-tight container or storage bag for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- The serving size is 1/2 cup.
- Nutritional values vary due to product brand selection.