Popcorn can be air popped to reduce fat or cooked in oil (your choice). Cooking in oil will actually help the caramel corn separate easier to reduce clumping.
Place popped corn in a large bowl or pan (make sure you remove ALL the uncooked popcorn kernels).
In a saucepan over medium heat, add sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, and salt. Cook until reaches a temperature of 270 degrees F. on your Cooking Thermometer. If you do not have a cooking thermometer, drop a small amount of sugar syrup into very cold water - it will solidify but will separate into hard brittle threads when done. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract, stirring only enough to combine. If you choose to use some food dye or tint, add it now.
Pour hot syrup over popcorn a little at a time, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until all popcorn is coated. Use a non-stick cooking spray on the spoon to help prevent the corn from sticking to the spoon. Let popcorn cool slightly, until you can handle it easily (if you let the popcorn cool just a minute or two they will also into balls better).
Using well buttered hands and working quickly, shape about 1 cup popcorn into a ball (by squeezing between both hands). Place popcorn ball onto waxed paper to let cool. Repeat with remaining popcorn. NOTE: Mixture will be hot so be careful!
Let popcorn balls cool completely. Wrap each individual ball in plastic wrap.
Store at room temperature.
Makes many servings.
* Remember to remove any un-popped popcorn kernels.
** Add any color you desire and as much as you like. If you are using liquid coloring, it takes a bit more to make a bright color. Paste coloring is more concentrated.
Popcorn Balls Recipe: https://whatscookingamerica.net/cookie/popcornballs.htm