Instant Pot Popcorn
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.There’s nothing better than a fresh buttery batch of homemade Instant Pot Popcorn! Ever since I started making it in the Instant Pot, my kids won’t stop asking for it. It’s healthy, mess-free, and perfectly crisp, making it our go-to movie-night snack. Plus, with just four ingredients and less than 20 minutes, it’s almost too easy to make.
I know, I know, it’s so easy to just grab a bag of store-bought popcorn. But trust me, once you make popcorn in the Instant Pot, you’ll never go back! It’s healthier, cheaper, and just as buttery and delicious as microwave or movie theater popcorn.
Not only is it light, crispy, and totally mess-free, but there are no burnt kernels or weird additives – just pure, homemade popcorn perfection! And if you’re as obsessed with snacks as I am, here are some more healthy snacks you’ll definitely want to try.
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
I love making popcorn at home, because my kids have just as much fun making it as they do eating it! They scoop the kernels into the Instant Pot, and listen for that first pop, it’s like a little show before the movie even starts. No fancy popcorn maker, no shaking a pot on the stove – just an easy, foolproof way to get big, fluffy popcorn with almost zero effort.
The hot, even heat of the instant pot ensures that most of the kernels pop without burning, something that you guys know it can be tricky with stovetop methods. My recipe also makes 10 cups of popcorn, so there’s plenty to share (or, let’s be real, plenty for me to snack on later!). Plus, it’s healthier and way more affordable than store-bought microwave popcorn, with no artificial flavors.
Whenever my friends come over, we always end up making a big batch of Instant Pot popcorn, because let’s be honest, no hangout is complete without snacks! Some of us go for the classic butter and salt, while others get creative with smoked paprika or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. It’s our go-to movie-night favorite, and once you try it, I promise you’ll never look at store-bought popcorn the same way again.
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🥘 Ingredients
All you need for this perfectly crispy instant pot popcorn is four simple ingredients: coconut oil, butter, salt, and corn kernels. That’s it!
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil: I love using unrefined coconut oil because it has healthy fats and a high smoke point, keeping the kernels from burning. If I don’t have coconut oil, olive or avocado oil work just as well!
Corn Kernels: I always grab a fresh batch of corn kernels from the same aisle as the microwave popcorn. The fresher they are, the better they pop.
Salt: A little salt makes all the difference in bringing out that classic popcorn flavor. I start with ½ teaspoon and add more at the end if needed.
Butter: For that classic movie-theater experience! I melt and drizzle it over the popcorn for an extra buttery, irresistible finish.
🔪 How To Make
Here comes the best part! I’m so excited for you to try this Instant Pot popcorn recipe, you won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make.
Heat Instant Pot, Add Coconut Oil: I start by heating up my Instant Pot and pressing the sauté button, then I switch the temperature to high. Once it shows ‘hot’, I add the coconut oil and stir until it’s fully melted.
Add Corn Kernels:I toss in ½ cup of kernels and ½ teaspoon of salt, giving everything a good stir to make sure the corn is evenly coated in oil. Then, I let it heat for another 30 seconds until I hear that sizzle.
Pressure Cook Popcorn: I cover the Instant Pot with a glass lid and let the popcorn do its thing! It takes about 5 minutes for the kernels to start popping. No need for a special Instant Pot lid, any glass or regular lid that fits will work just fine. Once the popping slows down, I turn off the Instant Pot and let it sit until all the kernels are popped.
Add Butter: I transfer the hot popcorn to a large bowl, and pour the melted butter over top, if desired.
I give the popcorn a good toss and adjust the seasoning to taste, then serve it up warm and fresh! My kids are obsessed with popcorn- just like Mom, haha! That’s why I always make an extra batch and store it for whenever they need a quick snack. Total win!
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making the best Instant Pot popcorn is to always use fresh popcorn kernels – trust me, old kernels just don’t pop as well! I learned this the hard way when I tried to make a batch with a bag that had been sitting in my pantry for who knows how long – let’s just say, it was a bad, half-popped mess.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Make multiple batches: I can easily make a few batches at home, but I always pop one batch at a time for even cooking. Between batches, I wipe out my Instant Pot to remove any burnt kernels.
- Use a glass lid: A glass lid traps the heat while letting me see exactly what’s happening inside. No guessing games, I know when to turn it off at just the right time.
- Shake for unpopped kernels: If I have any unpopped kernels, I give the Instant Pot a little shake to help them reach the bottom. This way, they get enough heat and pop perfectly.
📖 Variations
I like how easy and fun it is to customize this Instant Pot popcorn, there’s no wrong way to snack. Try one of these delicious variations to switch things up:
Cheese Lover’s Popcorn: I love adding vegan parmesan, pecorino, cheddar, or even mozzarella for an extra savory, cheesy kick.
Oil-Free Popcorn: If I don’t want to use oil, I swap it with ghee or clarified butter for a rich, buttery taste. For a completely oil-free version, I recommend using an air popper instead.
Make it Vegan: Since I have vegan friends, I always make sure my popcorn is dairy-free by using coconut oil, vegan butter, or olive oil instead of regular butter. This vegan caramel popcorn is my favorite.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
This crispy, buttery Instant Pot popcorn is the ultimate kid-friendly, movie-night-approved snack. These are some ways I love serving it:
Seasoning Fun: I love switching up my popcorn flavors by making an extra batch of my spicy jalapeno popcorn, or I just serve it with some Cajun seasoning, or even pumpkin spice. Whether I’m in the mood for savory, spicy, or sweet, there’s always a new flavor to try.
Mix-ins: Sometimes I serve it with a side plate of cranberries, nuts, pretzels, or even M&M’s for an extra fun snack.
Drizzle Delight: A white, milk, or dark chocolate drizzle takes popcorn to the next level! My kids love my unicorn popcorn recipe, so I always make sure to whip up a batch whenever we have a special movie night.
🧊 Storage Directions
Room temperature: I keep my popcorn fresh and crispy by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, that way, it’s always ready for snacking.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Is homemade popcorn healthy?
As a nutritionist and health coach, I love that popcorn is a whole grain, naturally low in calories, and packed with fiber, making it a great snack choice! When you make it at home, you have full control over fat and salt levels, so you can keep it light and healthy with just a small amount of heart-healthy olive oil or coconut oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Can you pop popcorn in an instant pot without oil?
Yes! When I want to make Instant Pot popcorn without oil, I start by setting my Instant Pot to High pressure and letting it heat up. Then, I spread the kernels in a single layer so they have enough space to pop properly. Cook for about four minutes. Once you hear 2-3 seconds in between the popping sounds, the popcorn is done.
Can you pop popcorn in butter?
Yes, but it’s important to use clarified butter or ghee. Clarified butter is butter with the milk proteins removed. Doing this gives it a higher smoke point so it can be used in high heat cooking without burning. I wouldn’t recommend popping popcorn in regular butter as it will burn!
Why isn’t my instant pot popcorn popping?
There are likely two reasons why your pressure cooker popcorn isn’t popping:
1) Your kernels are too old – fresh kernels pop the best, old kernels may not pop evenly or at all
2) Your kernels aren’t in an even layer on the bottom of the instant pot. If your kernels are stacked or you put too many kernels in the pot, then the popped kernels will expand and the unpopped kernels won’t get enough heat to pop properly.
🍽️ More Easy Instant Pot Recipes!
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🎥 Watch How to Make It
Instant Pot Popcorn
There’s nothing better than a fresh buttery batch of homemade Instant Pot Popcorn! Ever since I started making it in the Instant Pot, my kids won’t stop asking for it. It’s healthy, mess-free, and perfectly crisp, making it our go-to movie-night snack. Plus, with just four ingredients and less than 20 minutes, it’s almost too easy to make.
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 70kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ½ – 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Turn on the instant pot and select ‘sauté’, press temperature to show ‘more’ or ‘high’.
- When the instant pot shows that it’s hot, 3-5 minutes, add the coconut oil and stir until melted.
- Add the corn and ½ tsp salt, stir until corn is well coated in oil.
- Continue to heat for another 30 seconds, the corn kernels will begin to sizzle.
- Cover with a glass lid and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the instant pot and allow the popcorn to sit until there are no more kernels popping.
- Transfer to a large bowl and pour over the melted butter.
- Toss and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Store leftover popcorn in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for for making the best Instant Pot popcorn is to always use fresh popcorn kernels – trust me, old kernels just don’t pop as well! I learned this the hard way when I tried to make a batch with a bag that had been sitting in my pantry for who knows how long – let’s just say, it was a sad, half-popped mess.
- Make multiple batches: I can easily make a few batches at home, but I always pop one batch at a time for even cooking. Between batches, I wipe out my Instant Pot to remove any burnt kernels.
- Use a glass lid: A glass lid traps the heat while letting me see exactly what’s happening inside. No guessing games, I know when to turn it off at just the right time.
- Shake for unpopped kernels: If I have any unpopped kernels, I give the Instant Pot a little shake to help them reach the bottom. This way, they get enough heat and pop perfectly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.4g
I want to try to make this. What else can I use besides coconut oil I’m allergic???
Hi Angel! Olive oil should also work!
What to use if you don’t have a glass lid?
Hi Debbie! If you have any type of large pot lid, you should be able to use that (you just won’t be able to see the popcorn popping so you’ll have to open the lid & check to determine when it’s done!)
The second I saw this I couldn’t wait to give it a try. The popcorn came out perfect. This will be our go-to way of making our favorite movie night snack!
Awesome! So happy to hear that Gina! 🙂
What a game changer that you can make popcorn in an instant pot! Definitely doing this for our next movie night.
Totally right? You will love this recipe!
I haven’t had popcorn in ages. So excited to try this super easy recipe!
Thanks Luci! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you!
Such a fun treat for movie night with the kids. Worked great.
Aw yay! So happy to hear that Justin!
I never knew it could be so easy to make popcorn in the instant pot! This is going to be my go-to recipe from now on!
Yes! It really is the easiest thing!!
I never thought about making popcorn in my instant pot – what a great idea! I’ll be trying this out at our family movie night soon!
Thanks Beth!! Enjoy!
It’s been such a long time since I made popcorn at home! In fact, it’s been so long since I had popcorn last time, too. Can’t wait to give this easy recipe a try!
Yay! You will love it!
This will be perfect for a fun movie night! I know it’ll be a hit especially with the kids.
My kids really love it when I make this recipe for movie night! It’s a hit!
Such an easy snack for Halloween! Love it 🙂
Totally! Everyone will love it!
What a brilliant idea and it looks amazing. Although I think kids will have to fight off the adults to get any!
Thanks Jacqueline!! Haha that is probably true! 🙂