Confession: I’m afraid I’m allergic to real Christmas trees, and I’m definitely allergic to busy shopping malls. Does that make me a Scrooge? The holidays are always full of cheer but hectic. I’m tempted to take a nap before I deck the halls this weekend.
If you’re wondering what to bring to your holiday party, this caramel popcorn recipe is just the ticket. You’ll start by making a batch of stovetop popcorn. The healthier “caramel” sauce is sweetened with maple syrup and thickened with tahini. It is so delicious.
If you’re familiar with Middle Eastern halva, this popcorn reminds me of it. Crackly sesame seeds and ground cinnamon make it even more irresistible. You have been warned.
As I was typing up the recipe, I realized that it is gluten free, vegan and nut free as well. This popcorn is a special diet-friendly party option and a fun holiday treat. For an even more festive popcorn recipe, check out my peppermint bark popcorn. So good!
Sesame Caramel Corn
- Author:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
This naturally sweetened caramel popcorn recipe is incredible! It’s made with tahini, sesame seeds and maple syrup, and tastes a little like halva. This recipe is conveniently vegan and nut free, and yields about 6 cups.
Ingredients
Popped popcorn, yields about 6 cups
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
Tahini caramel corn
- 6 cups popped popcorn
- ½ cup real maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pop the popcorn: First, place a large mixing bowl near the stove. Pour the oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pan with a lid. Turn the heat up to medium, add 2 kernels of corn, and cover. Once the kernels pop, remove the lid and pour in the remaining popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and give the pot a little shimmy to distribute the kernels evenly.
- Cook over medium heat, shaking the pot occasionally. Crack the lid just a smidge so the popcorn stays crisp, and cook until the popping sound slows to about one pop per every few seconds. Remove the pan from heat and dump the popcorn your bowl, taking care not to pour in any unpopped kernels at the bottom of the pot. If necessary, pick out any unpopped kernels that made it into the bowl with a spoon.
- Meanwhile, to make the sauce: In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the maple syrup to a boil over medium heat. Keep a watchful eye on the syrup and continue boiling for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, reducing heat only if necessary to prevent overflow. Remove the pot from heat.
- Add the tahini, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon to the pot of maple syrup. Whisk until well blended, then drizzle the maple mixture over the popcorn. Gently toss with a rubber spatula or big spoon until well mixed. Pour the popcorn onto the parchment-covered baking sheet and arrange it in a single layer. Evenly sprinkle sesame seeds over the popcorn.
- Bake the popcorn for 6 minutes, then rotate the pan and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional cinnamon and salt, to taste. The popcorn will continue to crisp up as it cools. Once it’s cool, break the popcorn into pieces (or leave them in chunks!) and serve.
- This popcorn stays crisp for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
Notes
Change it up: Any nut butter can be substituted for the tahini (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.). You can also omit or replace the sesame seeds with chopped nuts of your choice.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Kimberly Kohse
I love any easy way to get more sesame seeds (packed with calcium) into my daughter (Vegetarian… on her way to Vegan). This popcorn is perfect in the evening with our favorite Christmas movies!
★★★★★
Kate
Great! I am happy you like it. Thank you for your review, Kimberly.
Sereniti
In the past when I’ve poured liquids or added a lot of moisture to popcorn it deflated and gets soggy. I was wondering if you’ve ever experienced this and what you did about it.
Em
I was slightly concerned about this too, having had a disastrous batch of popcorn balls from substituting date puree for sugar! In this case, I think it wasn’t an issue because of how similarly maple syrup behaves like a caramel made from sugar.
This was super yummy – the sesame taste was subtle and yet made this feel very special.
★★★★★
Vel Helton
I have made numerous recipes from your new book and newsletter. Some have been repeated. Every one has been a success, tasty, easy to follow directions, not time consuming.
It is a joy to prepare and eat beautifully prepared real food. I haven’t made this popcorn yet but will do so very soon. Will be nice for guests. Homemade is always best, no additives or preservatives. Thank you.
Kate
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Yes, homemade is the way to go. :)
Carly
I’m allergic to corn (yes, I know), but LOOOOVE tahini, maple, and cinnamon. What other things could I use this sauce on?
Kate
Hmmm, maybe Rice Crispies or Chex Cereal (I’d buy the more natural options) or mixed nuts?
Malvika
I use the tahini+cinnammon+maple combo in steel cut oats with frozen blueberries on top and it’s stellar!! :) (I even have a recipe on my blog at dancingchai.wordpress.com)
Danica
Can you pop it in an air popper? Will it affect flavor?
Kate
That would work! I just prefer stovetop popcorn flavor.
Gaby Dalkin
This flavor combination is UNREAL!!
Kate
Thank you!!
Natalie
OMG I love the idea of adding tahini to traditional caramel popcorn! I have to try this real soon – tahini is one of my favorites and I never thought of adding it to popcorn before ♥
Kate
It’s a wonderful combination! Let me know what you think when you try it, Natalie!
Candy
This sounds delish! Could you actually use this for nuts? And can you replace the maple syrup with golden syrup and/or honey?
Kate
Hi Candy, I would stick with maple syrup since it has to be boiled/concentrated and I’m not sure that would work with honey. See my recipe notes for nut suggestions. :)
Amy
I’m going to bring this to a holiday party tomorrow! Thank you, I’m so excited.
Kate
How did it go? I bet the bowl was devoured! :)
Amy
Yes! I’ll be making it again to put out on Christmas Eve, and this time I’ll add some nuts, because we love those too. So easy!
Kaitlin
Would it make a difference if I used popcorn from an air popper?
Kate
Great question, Kaitlin! I prefer stoved popped, but you can use an air popper. :)
Jo
Hi Kate! This may be a super stupid question, but have you had success with this recipe by just using regular, plain store bought popcorn to make this recipe (aka just skipping the whole pop-it-yourself part?) Wondering if it would affect the end product. I’d probably not add more salt since bagged popcorn is already salted. Let me know of your thoughts! A little pressed for time before a holiday party, but am REALLY wanting to bring this as my potluck dish!
Kate
Hi Jo, I think you could do that! I just love fresh stovetop popcorn.
Cynthia
I just made this popcorn, and it is so yummy! Thank you! I think I might try substituting date syrup for the maple.
Kate
Great! Thank you, Cynthia for sharing.
mollharr
This turned out perfectly and is delicious. I’m addicted.
★★★★★
mollharr
btw – I air pop my popcorn in the microwave by putting raw kernels in a plain brown lunch bag. microwave on high for three mins. and the corn is perfectly popped. this worked fine for this recipe.
Kate
That’s what I like to hear! Thanks for the review.
sandeep rana
I see this popcorn recipe looks very different ,i like these types of recipe.these are looks very yummy.thanks for sharing with us.
Kate
You are welcome!
Cat
Just made this as directed and it is awesome!! Love the sesame flavor and it is much lighter than the standard caramel corn. It crisps up nicely, too. Thank you!
Kate
That’s great! Thanks for sharing.
Ann Ronayne
Mmmmm… I just made this, and it’s great! I live in Kuwait, and we always have tahini; we eat a lot of dates and one way is to just dip them in tahini. Thanks for the recipe.
Kate
You are welcome, Ann!
Julie
Oh my goodness! This recipe is sooooo tasty. My only complaint is that I felt guilty using so much expensive maple syrup. Do you think there would be any way to reduce the amount? I wouldn’t mind it a little less sweet but I would hate to miss out of that amazing caramelization. Could I up the tahini and reduce the maple?
★★★★★
Kate
Julie, I’m sorry for the slow response! I missed your comment earlier. I am really not sure if you can tinker with the proportions here, since tahini is so thick and maple is thinner. I buy maple syrup in big jugs at Trader Joe’s or Costco and it’s more affordable that way, hope that helps!
Cayla
I had to pat myself on the back after making this recipe and I didn’t even create it. It’s perfect for a sweet/salty snack and a bit cheaper than your almond butter version. I like to make a big bag and chomp on it for a few days. Love the popcorn, the blog, and everything you’ve got going on.
Kate
You should pat yourself on the back! Thank you, Cayla.
Natasha
I don’t have any maple syrup – will date syrup work instead?
Kate
Hi Natasha, I’m not sure and hesitant to say yes for you to try it.
LC
Cookie and Kate’s recipes work every time and this one is no exception.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, LC! I’m happy you think so.
Katherine
We have a game night once each week and I try to make a different variety of popcorn each time. I’ve made between 15-20 different kinds, and this tops them all. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. Popcorn and tahini are my two favorite things, and this is a perfect match. I have made it multiple times and probably will never cease. Thanks for the recipe. It’s a gift to the world!