Instant Pot Popcorn

5 from 11 votes

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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time12

Total Time17

Course: Appetizer, Snack, snacks

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 70kcal

Author: Anjali Shah

Equipment

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.

Video

https://youtu.be/BbW8-K-BBpc

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