Chicago Mix Popcorn

5 from 4 votes

A popcorn lover's dream, a sweet and salty snack known as Chicago Mix Popcorn that combines caramel corn and cheddar popcorn!

Prep Time45

Cook Time20

Total Time1 5

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 647kcal

Heat oil over medium heat in a 5-quart Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid.
Once the oil is hot and rippling, add the popcorn kernels and cover immediately. Gently shake the pot over the burner as kernels begin to pop. (Be careful of escaping steam.)
Continue cooking the popcorn kernels until popping slows and you hear one-two seconds between pops, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour popped popcorn into a large bowl.
While gently tossing, immediately add butter, salt, and cheese powder, evenly distributing all of the ingredients together. Set aside while you prepare the caramel popcorn.

Heat oil over medium heat in a 5-quart Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid.
Once the oil is hot and rippling, add the popcorn kernels and cover immediately. Gently shake the pot over the burner as kernels begin to pop. (Be careful of escaping steam.)
Continue cooking the popcorn kernels until popping slows and you hear one-two seconds between pops, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour popped popcorn into a large bowl.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Add brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup, and salt and stir together in a medium sized pot over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes.
Add vanilla and baking soda and stir until foamy.
Pour over popped corn and continue stirring until well coated.
Spread the caramel popcorn on the baking sheets and bake for 1 hour until set and crisp.

If using salted butter, skip the kosher salt-Cheddar powder can be found online.
The ratio of caramel to popcorn will determine how saturated each kernel is. The fewer kernels used, the more caramel coverage you’ll get. The popcorn you see pictured in the photos has medium caramel coverage, meaning there are visible white splotches studded throughout. Medium to light coverage caramel popcorn is definitely still as sweet and indulgent as ever.