How To Make Chicago's Most Iconic Popcorn AT HOME! (Garrett's Cheese & Caramel Popcorn Recipe)

cheddar cheese powder

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese powder

Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

caramel sauce

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar syrup

Honey offers a natural sweetness with less processing.

Add 3 tablespoons of neutral oil to a large pot with a lid over medium heat.

Add 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels to the pot.

After about a minute, once the popping slows down, remove the pot from heat and set aside.

In another pot, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water to make caramel.

Cover the pot with a lid to keep moisture in and prevent crystallization.

After about 15 minutes, the caramel will darken and bubble; when it does, add in 1 stick of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to the caramel; it will bubble up.

Add one batch of popcorn to a large mixing bowl and pour the hot caramel over it.

Add a pinch of kosher salt and fold the caramel into the popcorn until coated.

Turn the caramel popcorn onto a parchment-lined sheet tray and allow it to harden, adding more salt while it's hot.

In a separate pot, melt 1 stick of butter and let it brown for 4-5 minutes until it smells nutty.

Pour the brown butter over another batch of popcorn in a large mixing bowl.

Dust with 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese powder and a pinch of kosher salt, then toss to coat.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens