If you love homemade popcorn, you’ll love to make Instant Pot Popcorn! It’s an easy, healthy snack made with two ingredients and is budget-friendly!
Whether we’re watching the latest episode of our favorite show or our current stream of Christmas movies, munching on a bowl of freshly popped popcorn is happening. It’s an easy snack to make quickly and not miss a moment of the show.
Of course, hubby and I love toppings on the popcorn but not the same ones. I love butter and a little salt, while he loves kettle corn. That’s what is great about making popcorn in Instant Pot! For each batch, I can make how each of us likes it.
Having bowls of popcorn around on game nights is also a great idea. Make each bowl a different kind, buttered, cheesy, caramel, or whatever seasonings you prefer. We love to munch on popcorn while we play games on Christmas Eve, like this Bobbing for Candy Canes game. So much fun!
Skip the microwave and whip up a quick bowl of popcorn in minutes, using your Instant Pot! Easy, less messy, delicious, and perfect popcorn every time.
I’m not knocking microwave popcorn, as we do eat that, too. It’s just making homemade popcorn is so much better in flavor and we can control the salt and oil. A little healthier, in my opinion.
Instant Pot Popcorn
Instant Pot Popcorn is an affordable snack and making it in the pressure cooker creates fluffy and big kernels. It just makes sense to make homemade popcorn these days with the prices of food and gas going up and no sign of it coming back down.
A bag of microwave popcorn contains about 4.5 cups of popped popcorn. One-half cup of popcorn kernels popped in the Instant Pot will give you double that or more! More snacking for your money!
What Size of Instant Pot do I Need for This Recipe?
This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot with a glass lid. You will need a clear glass lid to make popcorn in the Instant Pot. You can use the lid that came with your small appliance but can’t see through it to see if the popcorn is done. If you do not have an Instant Pot glass lid, it can be replaced by any glass lid that you already have. Be sure it fits so that you won’t have flying popcorn. Or even a large plate can do the job, but be careful when you touch it and make sure it’s heat-proof (microwave-safe).
What Type of Oil is Best to Use?
The best type of oil to use to pop popcorn in the Instant Pot is one that has a high smoking point, like refined coconut oil or vegetable oil. Avocado oil will work well, also.
Why won’t my popcorn pop in Instant Pot
One reason for this is that you could be using old popcorn kernels. Old kernels mean that the hulls are weak and they won’t expand in the pressure cooker. Make sure you use fresh popcorn kernels for this recipe or any homemade popcorn recipe.
Another reason could be that you didn’t have the kernels in a single even layer. If your kernels are overlapping 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.
How long should you cook popcorn in Instant Pot?
The cooking time depends on how crispy you would like your popcorn. For a light and fluffy texture, you’ll want less cooking time.
For a traditional crunchy taste, wait two minutes after the popping has stopped before removing it from the pressure cooker. If you enjoy your popcorn on the smoky side, give it an extra 30 seconds or so after ending the popping cycle.
How do you cook a large batch of popcorn in Instant Pot?
The best way is to make two or more batches or use a larger Instant Pot like the 8-quart model.
Is Popcorn Healthy for You?
Generally speaking, popcorn is a whole-grain healthy snack providing fiber but it’s all about the oil you pop it in and of course, the toppings.
What flavorings can you use on Instant Pot Popcorn?
Keeping it traditional, you can add salt and melted butter to the popped popcorn. You can even add 2 teaspoons of sugar to the oil prior to popping the kernels. Add a bit of salt after popping and this will give you (and my hubby) that sweet-salty taste.
Topping your popcorn with Parmesan cheese, nacho cheese seasoning, or taco seasoning are all ideas that are yummy. Try sprinkling a bit of cinnamon sugar, too.
Sometimes seasonings don’t stick to the popcorn unless you have butter drizzled over it. I found that using coconut oil to pop the popcorn in will help the seasonings stick better. Of course, no judgment here if you just want to add more butter!
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Popcorn Kernels
- 2 Tablespoons Refined Coconut Oil
- toppings of your choice
How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn
Step 1
Set your pot on saute and immediately place the oil inside your instant pot.
Step 2
Allow the oil to heat up for about 2 minutes, or until your instant pot displays the word “hot” before placing your popcorn kernels in the pot.
Step 3
Add popcorn kernels and stir for about 1 minute before putting a glass lid on top.
Step 4
In about 2-3 minutes of heating, while covered, you will start to hear the popcorn kernels popping. Let it pop for about 5 minutes or until most of the kernels have popped. Pour the hot popcorn into a large bowl and top with any of your favorite popcorn seasonings or butter and serve.
Homemade popcorn in Instant Pot is very easy, fun, and quick to make. Make it a family movie night with popcorn.
Tips, Tricks, and FAQs
- Use an oil with a higher smoke point, like refined coconut oil or vegetable oil. Avocado oil will work well, also.
- Be sure your popcorn kernels are fresh for the best popping experience.
- Use a clear glass lid to cover the pot so that you can trap the heat in the pot and still see how the popping is going.
- To get a more even pop, after every minute of popping, stir the popcorn or shake your instant pot to move around the popcorn. Unpopped kernels like to sometimes rest on already popped popcorn, which results in them not getting enough heat to pop. Moving the popcorn around helps these unpopped kernels get better heat.
- Add your favorite seasonings to your popcorn such as Parmesan cheese, butter, or cinnamon sugar. Be creative!
You May Enjoy These Popcorn Treats
Printable Instant Pot Popcorn Recipe
How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn
Equipment
- 6 quart Instant Pot This one is a favorite
- glass lid for 6 quart Instant Pot Try this one – it's perfect.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
Instructions
- Set your pot on saute and immediately place the oil inside your instant pot.
- Allow the oil to heat up for about 2 minutes, or until your instant pot displays the word “hot” before placing your popcorn kernels in the pot.
- Stir for about 1 minute before putting a glass lid on top.
- In about 2-3 minutes of heating, while covered, you will start to hear the popcorn kernels popping. Let it pop for about 5 minutes or until most of the kernels have popped. Top with any of your favorite popcorn seasonings or butter and serve.
Notes
- Use an oil with a high smoking point, like refined coconut oil or vegetable oil. Avocado oil will work well, also.
- Be sure your popcorn kernels are fresh for the best popping experience.
- Use a glass lid to cover the pot so that you can trap the heat in the pot and still see how the popping is going.
- To get a more even pop, after every minute of popping, stir the popcorn or shake your instant pot to move around the popcorn. Unpopped kernels like to sometimes rest on already popped popcorn, which results in them not getting enough heat to pop. Moving the popcorn around helps these unpopped kernels get better heat.
- Add your favorite seasonings to your popcorn such as Parmesan cheese, butter, or cinnamon sugar. Be creative!
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