Cinnamon Bun Popcorn Recipe (2024)

Updated on November 20, 2023|By Kate|33 Comments

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This easy Cinnamon Bun Popcorn recipe is a chewy/crisp popcorn covered in a rich, buttery, cinnamon sugar glaze. Always a hit at dessert or snack time!

Once a week we try to have a family night. We have something easy for dinner, make popcorn, and watch movies. My kids like to have a bag of cheddar cheese popcorn, and I make one of several different kinds of dessert popcorns.

This Cinnamon Bun Popcorn is the one that my kids ask for the most often. It’s a cross between a crispy, candy popcorn and a softer, chewier caramel corn.

The coating is rich, buttery,cinnamon sugar glaze that I think is much easier to make than the glazes that require a candy thermometer.

If you give this Cinnamon Bun Popcorn a try, it may just become one of your favorites, too! And if you’re looking for other easy popcorn recipes, check out more below!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Butter: I use salted butter in this recipe.
Brown sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work in this recipe.
Kosher salt: Or 1/4 teaspoon of table salt.
Popcorn:Use 9 cups for heavier coating or 10 cups of popcorn for popcorn with less coating.

How to make cinnamon bun popcorn

Here you’ll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 225 F. Line a large rimmed cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat.

Step 2: In a large, heavy pot, melt butter.

Step 3: Add sugars, corn syrup, and salt.

Step 4: Stir, and continue cooking over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.

Step 5: Once at a boil, stop stirring, and cook for 5 minutes. If using a gas stove, you may need to cook it over medium-low heat.

Step 6: Remove from heat, and cinnamon, baking soda, vanilla, and marshmallows.

Step 7: Place popcorn on cookie sheet.

Step 8: Pour cinnamon mixture over popcorn.

Step 9: Bake for 15 minutes, and stir.

Step 10: Continue baking 15 additional minutes. Stir.

Step 11: Bake for 5-10 more minutes. Stir one more time.

Step 12: Let cool on baking sheet.

Recipe Tips!

Chewy popcorn: The key to keeping the popcorn chewy is to avoid cooking the corn syrup mixture over heat that’s too high and avoiding baking the popcorn too long.
Drizzle: For popcorn with “icing”, melt white chocolate (either white chocolate chips or white almond bark) and drizzle it over the cooled popcorn.

Storage

Store any leftover cinnamon bun popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature. The popcorn will keep for up to 5 days when properly stored.

More popcorn recipes!

Caramel Corn
Birthday Cake
Cinnamon Popcorn
Zebra Popcorn

If you’ve tried this cinnamon bun popcorn recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

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4.91 from 11 votes

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn Recipe

Author Kate @ I Heart Eating

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup butter
▢ 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1/4 cup light corn syrup
▢ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 cup mini marshmallows
▢ 9-10 cups plain popped popcorn

Instructions

Preheat oven to 225 F. Line a large rimmed cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat.
In a large, heavy pot, melt butter.
Add sugars, corn syrup, and salt.
Stir, and continue cooking over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.
Once at a boil, stop stirring, and cook for 5 minutes. If using a gas stove, you may need to cook it over medium-low heat.
Remove from heat, and cinnamon, baking soda, vanilla, and marshmallows.
Place popcorn on cookie sheet.
Pour cinnamon mixture over popcorn.
Bake for 15 minutes, and stir.
Continue baking 15 additional minutes. Stir.
Bake for 5-10 more minutes.
Stir one more time.
Let cool on baking sheet.

Video

Notes

Butter: I use salted butter in this recipe.
Brown sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work in this recipe.
Kosher salt: Or 1/4 teaspoon of table salt.
Popcorn:Use 9 cups for heavier coating or 10 cups of popcorn for popcorn with less coating.
Nutrition values are estimates.

Nutrition

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @katedean and Pinterest @katedean for more!

Originally published 5/16/16.

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Created by Kate

Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

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Comments & Reviews

Allena says
February 23, 2024
I’ve never made popcorn like this before, forgive my asking but would it work out to simply drizzle the mixture all over the popcorn and let set? Does the baking and stirring do something critical or is it just to allow the mixture to melt and be stirred on the popcorn further? Thank you 😊
Reply
- Kate says
  February 24, 2024
  Hi! Feel free to ask questions! Baking the popcorn helps to set the mixture so that the popcorn gets more of a chewy candy shell on it. Otherwise, it would be gooey. =)
  Reply
Alison says
August 10, 2023

I’ve made this recipe about 5 + times now and it always comes out different!! The first couple times were the best (even though I messed up the recipe a bit)
The recipe is a bit confusing having some details left out and some typos but you get the gist of it.
This last time though I’m just lost, it came out SO crunchy. Usually while I’m baking it, it’s gooey and mixes well. But with each time out of the oven it got crunchier and more brittle, how could that be??
Over all it still tasted good, but I love this recipe for the chewiness!
Reply
- Kate says
  August 10, 2023
  Could you please clarify where you’re seeing typos or details left out of the recipe? It could be that your baking soda is old, but without knowing more about what you did or changed, it’s difficult to say why that would have happened.
  Reply
wendy says
May 24, 2023
if you drizzle melted white chocolate over the final product, it truly tastes more like a cinnamon bun
Reply
- Kate says
  May 24, 2023
  Great idea!
  Reply
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Lauren Mata says
March 18, 2023

How long do you think this would last in cool, dry conditions? Thinking about making it as a wedding favor–so yummy!
Reply
- Kate says
  March 18, 2023
  Hi! I think it could potentially keep for about 4-5 days. I hope that helps!
  Reply
Carole Neale says
November 21, 2022

I made this for movie night at church and it was a hit! Thanks for posting!
Reply
- Kate says
  November 21, 2022
  Thank you so much! I’m glad it was a hit!
  Reply
Lori says
January 16, 2022
I think there is a typo in the recipe. I am not sure what it means.
Reply
- Kate says
  January 17, 2022
  Could you please tell me where you think that there is a typo?
  Reply
Beth Myers says
July 31, 2021

This is soooo good!
Reply
- Kate says
  August 3, 2021
  Thank you!!
  Reply
Bianca says
April 21, 2020

Absolutely delicious, and easy to make. Pretty sure “15 servings” is a typo – we got about 8 servings from this, about 1.25 cups each. Total recipe is roughly 2400 calories, or 300 calories per servings if you divide into 8 servings. (so maybe the recipe meant to say “5 servings”, to go with the listed 553 calories per serving?)
Reply
- Kate says
  April 22, 2020
  Hi! Thank you so much! And thanks for that question! I use a program to figure out the nutritional values, and it had pulled a much larger amount of popcorn than what the recipe listed, which was which the calories were so much higher.
  Reply
Sydney says
November 9, 2019
Hi! Is this best served immediately, or will it still be good if I make it one day in advance?
Reply
- Kate says
  November 9, 2019
  Hi! It should be fine a day in advance. However, how crunchy it stays will depend on how humid it is where you live. Hope that helps!
  Reply
Alison says
April 30, 2019
When do you add the white sugar?
Reply
- Kate says
  April 30, 2019
  Thanks! You add it with the brown sugar and corn syrup.
  Reply
  - Alison says
    September 9, 2019
    Thank you! This is an absolute favorite of mine and I get so many compliments on it!
    Reply
Jessica says
December 14, 2018

I like this popcorn very much. I’m making it for gifts for friends and family.
Reply
- Kate says
  December 14, 2018
  Thanks! I’m glad you like it. =) Thanks for commenting.
  Reply
Kristie says
April 2, 2018
Once popcorn is cool, is it crunchy or taffy-like?
Reply
- Kate says
  April 3, 2018
  It’s more taffy-like as it’s chewier rather than crunchy. Hope that helps!
  Reply
Eden Passante says
July 17, 2016
Yum!! This sounds amazing!
Reply
- Kate says
  July 19, 2016
  Thanks so much!
  Reply
Karly says
May 17, 2016
Movie night just got a whole lot sweeter. This is the perfect snack or sweet treat for any time. Love love love!
Reply
- Kate says
  May 18, 2016
  Thanks so much, Karly!! =)
  Reply
Happy Valley Chow says
May 17, 2016
Those look awesome! Great recipe, can’t wait to try. PINNED!!
Reply
- Kate says
  May 17, 2016
  Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! =)
  Reply
Roxana says
May 16, 2016
Family nights are great! I bet your kids love this recipe!
Reply
- Kate says
  May 17, 2016
  Thanks! Agreed! Family night is something that we all really enjoy. =)
  Reply

FAQs

How to make popcorn at home better? ›

Try sprinkling with some grated Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, cayenne powder, taco seasoning, or even curry powder to give a fun and interesting new flavor to traditional buttered popcorn. You can even make popcorn into delicious clusters or caramel corn.

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What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? ›

The sodium bicarbonate allows it to achieve the 'brittle' texture you are looking for in carmel corn. Without it the stage at which you stop cooking the caramel would result in a very sticky consistency.

Get More Info Here ›

What do you mix popcorn with? ›

Toppings

Melted butter.
Sea salt.
Ranch seasoning.
Tajín.
Cheddar seasoning.
Caramel sauce.
Sprinkles.

Know More ›

What should I season my popcorn with? ›

For savory popcorn: Olive oil, kosher salt, and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is the perfect seasoning if you want cheesy flavor but also want vegan popcorn seasoning. For sweet popcorn: Olive oil, cinnamon, and a dash of brown sugar. This will satisfy your sweet cravings without making your teeth hurt!

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What is the secret ingredient in popcorn? ›

The flavor all comes down to one ingredient: Flavacol. You've likely never heard of Flavacol because, really, only movie theaters use it. Essentially, it's butter-flavored salt. It's a really fine, bright orange powder that adds that buttery flavor you crave and the signature yellow color.

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What method makes the best popcorn? ›

All stove-top methods will produce crunchier popcorn than the microwave or an air popper, but the Whirley-Pop takes popcorn to the next level. Since its lid is vented, steam doesn't get trapped around the kernels, so there's no softening (which can happen with other lidded pots). But stove-top popping requires oil.

Read The Full Story ›

What can I use instead of baking soda in caramel? ›

Baking Soda Substitutes

The Best Baking Soda Substitute: Baking Powder.
Baking Soda Substitute: Self-Rising Flour.
Baking Soda Substitute: Egg Whites.

Nov 2, 2023

How to make popcorn at home taste like movie popcorn? ›

The secret is to pop it in coconut oil and add Flavacol. Flavacol is a flavored salt that theaters use when popping the popcorn. You can buy Flavacol on Amazon.

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Can dogs eat popcorn? ›

Is Eating Popcorn Safe for Dogs? Yes and no. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won't hurt them.

See Details ›

How do you spice up a bag of popcorn? ›

Here are some ideas:Add your favorite seasonings, such as salt, garlic powder, chili powder, or cumin. Sprinkle on some nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Melt some butter or coconut oil and drizzle it over the popcorn. Mix in some dried herbs, like rosemary or thyme.

How do you enhance store bought popcorn? ›

You can add your favorite seasoning like chicken powder, paprika powder, white cheddar, and nachos cheddar.
For spiciness, you can add black pepper or red chili powder.
You can add only sea salt for good taste.
You can also add garlic powder to bring out a pleasant aroma.
Don't add too much popcorn to the basket.

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Mar 31, 2023

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How do you make store bought popcorn taste better? ›

There are several ways you can make less expensive popcorn taste better:

Use a good quality oil: Using a good quality oil, such as coconut oil or avocado oil, can add flavor to your popcorn. ...
Season with herbs and spices: Adding herbs and spices to your popcorn can add flavor without adding calories.

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Apr 8, 2022

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How do you upgrade plain popcorn? ›

If you only have dried, no problem: mix Herbes de Provence with melted butter, then toss. Cinnamon and sugar: Melt some unsalted butter and mix in a teaspoon of sugar and a few dashes of cinnamon. Warm on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Pour over plain popcorn and toss to coat.