At Pascha, we love taking nostalgic flavors and giving them a chocolate-forward twist. This Salted Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream was inspired by one of our favorite movie-night snacks—buttery popcorn and sweet caramel—and transformed into a rich, creamy frozen dessert made with our Salted Caramel Chips.
What makes this recipe so fun is that popcorn isn't just a topping—it's infused right into the ice cream base, adding subtle toasted flavor that perfectly complements the creamy coconut, oat milk, and salted caramel. Finished with layers of crunchy caramel popcorn and melted Pascha Salted Caramel Chips, every scoop delivers the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and salty.
Whether you're serving it after a summer barbecue, enjoying a movie night at home, or looking for a show-stopping dessert for guests, this recipe brings together comforting flavors in an entirely new way.
Recipe Context
Salted caramel and popcorn have become a classic pairing, but we wanted to create something that celebrated both flavors beyond a traditional snack mix. By steeping popcorn directly into the ice cream base, we captured its buttery flavor while keeping the finished dessert silky smooth.
The crunchy marshmallow popcorn layer adds texture throughout the ice cream, creating bites that taste like caramel corn, marshmallow treats, and premium ice cream all in one.
If you love frozen desserts, you'll also enjoy our Classic Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Bar, Vegan Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream Bar, Vegan Double Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream, Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, and Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Why We Love This Recipe
It's Unexpected
Popcorn infused into homemade ice cream creates a flavor that's familiar but completely unique.
Sweet Meets Salty
The combination of buttery popcorn, salted caramel, creamy ice cream, and chocolate creates the perfect balance of flavors.
Perfect for Entertaining
Layered with crunchy caramel popcorn, this dessert is guaranteed to impress at dinner parties, movie nights, and celebrations.
Dairy-Free Comfort Food
Made with oat milk, coconut cream, and Pascha Salted Caramel Chips, this recipe delivers all the creamy richness without dairy.
A Great Make-Ahead Dessert
Prepare everything ahead of time and assemble just before serving for the best texture.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream
This dessert is perfect for:
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Summer entertaining
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Movie nights
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Birthday parties
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Holiday dessert tables
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Family celebrations
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Ice cream bars
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Backyard gatherings
Top each serving with extra caramel popcorn, an extra drizzle of melted Pascha Salted Caramel Chips, and a pinch of flaky sea salt for an elevated presentation.
How We Developed This Recipe
Recipe development at Pascha often begins with a familiar flavor combination and asks, "How can chocolate make this even better?"
For this recipe, the team started with buttery popcorn and imagined it transformed into an ice cream experience. After testing several infusion methods, steeping popcorn directly in the oat milk and coconut cream produced the richest flavor while maintaining a smooth texture.
The finishing touch came from creating a crunchy marshmallow popcorn layer coated with our Salted Caramel Chips. Layering it throughout the finished ice cream creates pockets of crunch that contrast beautifully with the creamy base.
After several rounds of testing (and more than a few movie-night taste tests), this version became our favorite.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
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1¼ cups oat milk
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1 cup coconut cream
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½ tsp xanthan gum
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2 tbsp maple syrup
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4 cups vegan butter popcorn, divided
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½ tsp salt
Salted Caramel Marshmallow Layer
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1 tbsp coconut oil
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2.5 oz Dandies Marshmallows
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2 heaping cups vegan butter popcorn
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¼ tsp salt
Ingredient Breakdown
Oat Milk
Creates a creamy dairy-free base with a mild flavor.
Coconut Cream
Adds richness and scoopable texture.
Vegan Butter Popcorn
Infuses buttery popcorn flavor into the ice cream while also adding crunch throughout.
Maple Syrup
Provides natural sweetness that complements the salted caramel.
Dandies Marshmallows
Create a gooey caramel popcorn layer without animal products.
Pascha Salted Caramel Chips
Our Salted Caramel Chips melt beautifully into both the marshmallow layer and the final drizzle, creating rich caramel flavor throughout the dessert.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Ice Cream Base
In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together oat milk, coconut cream, maple syrup, salt, and 2 cups of vegan butter popcorn.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain out the popcorn.
Transfer the strained popcorn to a blender along with the remaining popcorn and xanthan gum.
Blend until smooth.
Strain once more to remove any popcorn bits.
Pour into a Ninja Creami container and freeze upright overnight.
No Ninja Creami?
Freeze the mixture in ice cube trays overnight and blend before serving.
Step 2: Make the Salted Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn
Melt coconut oil in a saucepan.
Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
Mix in Pascha Salted Caramel Chips until smooth.
Fold in popcorn until evenly coated.
Spread onto a parchment-lined baking tray.
Bake at 225°F for 6–8 minutes, watching carefully.
Cool completely before breaking into bite-sized clusters.
Reserve some for garnish.
Step 3: Assemble
Melt ¼ cup Pascha Salted Caramel Chips in a double boiler.
Allow the frozen ice cream to soften slightly.
Process in a Ninja Creami using the Respin setting if needed.
If blending from frozen cubes, add a splash of dairy-free milk if necessary.
Layer:
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Ice cream
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Melted salted caramel chips
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Marshmallow popcorn clusters
Repeat until the container is full.
Top with extra caramel popcorn before serving.
Pro Tips
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Freeze the ice cream overnight for the creamiest texture.
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Reserve extra popcorn for garnish.
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Add flaky sea salt before serving for extra contrast.
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Try serving in waffle cones or chilled dessert glasses.
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Allow frozen leftovers to soften before scooping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without a Ninja Creami?
Yes. Freeze the base in ice cube trays overnight and blend until smooth before assembling.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes. When using Dandies Marshmallows and Pascha Salted Caramel Chips, the recipe is completely vegan.
Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely. Store assembled ice cream in the freezer and allow it to soften for several minutes before serving.
Why infuse the popcorn into the ice cream?
Steeping the popcorn creates a deeper buttery flavor than simply mixing popcorn into the finished ice cream.
Can I add mix-ins?
Definitely. Chopped chocolate, toasted pecans, crushed pretzels, or dairy-free cookie pieces all work well.
Additional Pascha Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this frozen dessert, you'll also love:
More from The FIX
Continue exploring chocolate, baking, and entertaining with these articles from The FIX:
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Summer of Fun Series: Your Ultimate Pascha Chocolate Summer Guide
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Salted Caramel Chips – Beyond Baking: 10 Easy Ways to Use Them
About Pascha
At Pascha, we believe exceptional chocolate starts with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and recipes that inspire creativity in the kitchen. Whether you're making frozen desserts, cookies, brownies, or chocolate bark, our products are designed to help you create memorable recipes with confidence.
Our Sustainability Commitment
From responsibly sourced cacao to thoughtfully crafted products, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to supporting cacao-growing communities while creating organic chocolate products that families can feel good about sharing.
Learn more in 5 Simple Reasons Buying Sustainable Chocolate Matters on The FIX.
Certifications
Many Pascha products proudly feature certifications including:
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USDA Organic
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Non-GMO Project Verified
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Certified Vegan
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Gluten-Free
- Rainforest Alliance Certified
Please refer to individual product packaging for the latest certification information.
