Caramel Dipped Potato Chips
Yield: 1 regular bag (about 12 oz.) of potato chips (or more, depending on amount of caramel used on each chip).
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Tips: For small pieces of broken chips, you can gather a few and dip them in the caramel while holding them together. Once the caramel sets, the pieces will hold together. If you have any caramel leftover, you can line a small heat-proof bowl or pan with waxed paper, then pour the caramel into the bowl (or pan). Allow the caramel to cool completely and set, then cut it into small squares and wrap with little pieces of waxed paper. The caramel can also be briefly heated (in the microwave or in a saucepan) and served over ice cream.
Looking for fun kids' snack ideas or a super easy fun appetizer for caramel and potato chip lovers of all ages? These Caramel Dipped Potato Chips are easy to make, taste amazing, and will make plenty! Salted caramel seems to be a popular thing these days, and many folks are trying all sorts of new salted caramel recipes, including homemade salted caramel, salted caramel frosting, salted caramel chocolates, and even salted caramel ice cream and salted caramel apple pie, to name a few. (Is your mouth watering, yet?) Whatever the reason, there's definitely something fabulous about the flavor of caramel
combined with a little salt, and potato chips are a great way to sneak in some of that salty flavor, not to mention a welcomed crunch! All you need to whip up a batch of these Caramel Dipped Potato Chips is a regular size (about 12 oz.) bag of potato chips with ridges (such as Ruffles), and a few simple ingredients to make your own homemade caramel. The reason you'll want to use potato chips with ridges is because they are slightly thicker than traditional potato chips, and can withstand a little pressure without crumbling, which comes in handy when you're dipping the chips into the caramel. Also, the caramel is pretty powerful in terms of texture and flavor, so it's best to have a chip that's equally powerful - especially in terms of texture.
The caramel is easy to make; it's just a matter of giving it a little time to bubble in a saucepan on the stove top to achieve that perfect flavor and consistency. Cooking the caramel takes about 30-40 minutes, but requires only an occasional stir. Once the caramel reaches the perfect stage (the "ball stage," which is described in the recipe), simply remove the saucepan from the heat, allow it to slightly cool (only a minute or so), then let the dipping begin!
The caramel is easy to make; it's just a matter of giving it a little time to bubble in a saucepan on the stove top to achieve that perfect flavor and consistency. Cooking the caramel takes about 30-40 minutes, but requires only an occasional stir. Once the caramel reaches the perfect stage (the "ball stage," which is described in the recipe), simply remove the saucepan from the heat, allow it to slightly cool (only a minute or so), then let the dipping begin!
Recipe▼
Ingredients
- 1 12-oz. bag potato chips with ridges
- Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Combine all ingredients except vanilla in a medium saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches firm ball stage* (248° F). (Note: During the last few minutes of cooking, watch caramel mixture closely to ensure it does not begin turning dark in color, as this will result in a tough caramel.) Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Allow caramel to cool for a minute or two, then one-by-one, begin dipping 1/3 or 1/2 of each chip into the caramel, trying to only coat one side. (Coating only one side of each chip will provide enough caramel for flavor and will help to prevent the caramel on the chips from sticking to one another when storing or serving.) Place each dipped chip on a sheet of wax paper caramel side face-up, making sure caramel portions do not touch each other. Allow to sit until cooled and caramel sets (lightly touching with a finger is a good way to test the firmness of caramel).
To store, place chips in one single layer on the bottom of an airtight container, avoiding allowing caramel to touch other caramel. then place some wax paper over the layer and create another layer. Repeat process as necessary. Store at room temperature.
*"Firm Ball Stage" is a term used to refer to a certain temperature range when cooking sugars and/or syrups. The common temperature range is between 245-250°. To test doneness without a candy thermometer, simply drop a small amount of hot caramel mixture into a bowl of very cold water. Place your fingers in the bowl and gather the syrup, forming it into a ball. Once a ball is formed, lift it from the water. If caramel has reached the "firm ball stage," it will feel firm and pliable, yet still slightly sticky, and will retain its shape when removed from the water, but will quickly lose its shape when it returns to room temperature.
Allow caramel to cool for a minute or two, then one-by-one, begin dipping 1/3 or 1/2 of each chip into the caramel, trying to only coat one side. (Coating only one side of each chip will provide enough caramel for flavor and will help to prevent the caramel on the chips from sticking to one another when storing or serving.) Place each dipped chip on a sheet of wax paper caramel side face-up, making sure caramel portions do not touch each other. Allow to sit until cooled and caramel sets (lightly touching with a finger is a good way to test the firmness of caramel).
To store, place chips in one single layer on the bottom of an airtight container, avoiding allowing caramel to touch other caramel. then place some wax paper over the layer and create another layer. Repeat process as necessary. Store at room temperature.
*"Firm Ball Stage" is a term used to refer to a certain temperature range when cooking sugars and/or syrups. The common temperature range is between 245-250°. To test doneness without a candy thermometer, simply drop a small amount of hot caramel mixture into a bowl of very cold water. Place your fingers in the bowl and gather the syrup, forming it into a ball. Once a ball is formed, lift it from the water. If caramel has reached the "firm ball stage," it will feel firm and pliable, yet still slightly sticky, and will retain its shape when removed from the water, but will quickly lose its shape when it returns to room temperature.
