Honey Lemon Popcorn

Name: Honey Lemon Popcorn
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 0.5 cup honey; .33 cup unsalted butter; 0.5 teaspoon baking soda; .25 teaspoon lemon oil flavoring (or 0.5 teaspoon lemon extract); 12 cup popped popcorn (unpopped kernels removed)

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This Honey Lemon Popcorn recipe is easy to make with a tangy, sweet, and refreshing taste. It is perfect sweet snack any time of year while watching movies or hanging out by the pool!

Check out Flavored Popcorn Recipes for even more delicious popcorn flavors and ideas!

An overflowing bowl of honey lemon popcorn.

Recipe inspiration

This honey lemon popcorn was originally part of a movie night themed post for a DVD release in 2015. The names of the popcorn went along with the characters names including wasabi popcorn and white chocolate popcorn with candy coated chocolate eyes. All three recipes have been given an update, new images, and posts of their own.

What does honey lemon popcorn taste like?

Honey lemon popcorn is basically a caramel popcorn recipe made with granulated sugar and lemon oil flavoring instead of brown sugar. This gives the popcorn a crisp outside shell with a punch of honey and lemon flavor. Trust me, it is addictive!

What you will need

Ingredients needed to make Honey Lemon Popcorn.

Popcorn – popped in the microwave, Instant Pot Popcorn, or on top of the stove, whichever you prefer.
Granulated sugar
Honey – this is the predominant flavor so pick a “raw” honey that is unfiltered and has a floral, herbal flavor profile that you enjoy.
Unsalted butter
Baking soda
Lemon Oil flavoring – oil-based flavoring has a purer, more intense flavor than grocery store extract which contains water.

Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below

Looking down on a large bowl of caramel popcorn with spilled popcorn, honey and lemon rinds in the background.

Microwave Method: Place one-third cup of popcorn kernels in a brown lunch bag and microwave for 3.5 minutes, or use the popcorn button. I usually make two batches and snack on the leftovers.

How to make honey lemon popcorn

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner, set aside.

Place the sugar, butter, and honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

Boil without stirring for 5 minutes, or until it reaches 235 degreesF for a softer, chewier popcorn or 250 degreesF for a harder, crispier bite.

Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and lemon oil flavoring.

Baking soda and lemon flavoring added to the boiling caramel in a saucepan.

The chemical reaction will cause the caramel to bubble and foam up.

Foamy honey lemon caramel mixture in a saucepan.

Place popcorn in a very large bowl, and pour the mixture over. Stir until completely coated.

Honey lemon mixture poured over popped popcorn in a large bowl.

Spread popcorn mixture out evenly on a prepared baking sheet. Place in a preheated 200 degree oven for one hour, carefully stirring every 15 minutes to evenly coat the popcorn.

Honey lemon coated popcorn spread out on a silicone lined baking sheet.

Remove from oven and allow popcorn to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful, it is a really sticky, and HOT! Break apart into pieces and serve.

Side view of a blue bowl overflowing with honey lemon popcorn.

Stovetop Method: Pour 3 tablespoons of oil and 0.5-cup of popcorn kernels into a 4-quart pot. Cover pot with lid leaving it slightly ajar so the steam can escape. Cook popcorn over medium heat shaking the pan frequently. When popping slows, remove the the pot from heat.

Popcorn FAQs

Caramel corn is made by creating a sugar solution or syrup that is heated until it browns and becomes thick, producing a caramelized candy syrup. While this honey lemon popcorn is not called caramel corn, it is made and stored in the same way.

How do you store caramel corn?

Store popcorn in an airtight container or zipper top bag (with all the air squeezed out) at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks.

Why do you add baking soda to caramel corn?

When you add baking soda to the caramel syrup it bubbles up creating tiny air bubbles that aerate the syrup and prevent it from being too thick and dense.

Tools used to create this recipe

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If you love flavored popcorn as much as we do, try Pina Colada Popcorn, Taco Popcorn, or this sweet and salty Instant Pot Chocolate Bacon Popcorn.

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Enjoy!!