Spicy-Sweet Buffalo Popcorn

1 . Stage

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Fill with popcorn.

2 . Stage

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad.

3 . Stage

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, without stirring and swirling pan gently as needed, until sugar has melted and the caramel is a deep amber color, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat.

4 . Stage

Stir Buffalo sauce and butter carefully into the caramel; it will spit and bubble and may form a ball. Return to heat; bring to a boil, stirring until caramel is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and cayenne pepper.

5 . Stage

Pour spicy caramel mixture carefully over the popcorn. Toss to completely coat, guarding your hands from the hot caramel. Spread the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet.

6 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until dry, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes; stir.