Instant Pot Popcorn is an easy, delicious homemade snack! You can make this popcorn in 15 minutes. Enjoy as it is, or add one of the optional mix-in additions in the recipe below!
When you're craving something savory and salty but also on the healthy side, a bowl of popcorn is a delicious way to satisfy that craving!
Sure, you can buy microwave popcorn packets. But when you want something that's a little healthier, Instant Pot Popcorn is the way to go.
It's such a delicious and easy healthy snack to make at home!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
The kids have always loved making popcorn as a snack. It's great to munch on for movie nights, while doing homework, and to enjoy when friends come over.
Like most people, we keep a stash of storebought microwaveable popcorn packets in the pantry. But my preferred way to make popcorn these days is in the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi!
- It's healthier: you know exactly what's in it.
- You only need three ingredients to make this healthy snack recipe!
- It's super easy.
- Once the popcorn is popped, it's easy for each person to customize their popcorn as they see fit.
- This recipe makes 6 cups of popped popcorn.
🛒 Ingredient notes
You only need three ingredients to make this popcorn!
Popcorn Kernels - Use the freshest popcorn kernels you have. Older kernels tend to not pop in the Instant Pot as they might in the microwave, so the more fresh kernels you use, the more popcorn you likely will have.
Coconut oil - Use organic, unrefined extra virgin coconut oil for this instant pot popcorn recipe. It's a healthier option for oil, and also tends to result in cleaner tasting popcorn.
Salt - Kosher salt is my favorite choice when making popcorn.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Once it is heated up, add the coconut oil and let it melt.
- Once the coconut oil is melted, slowly add the popcorn kernels, then stir with a heatproof silicone spatula to coat the kernels with the oil.
3. When you hear the kernels start to sizzle, cover the Instant Pot with a glass lid. Cook on Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, just until about ⅔ of the kernels have popped. Then hit Cancel to stop the Sauté mode, and allow the kernels to continue popping.
4. Once you no longer hear kernels popping, remove the lid and carefully scoop out the popcorn to a serving bowl with a wooden spoon or using the heatproof spatula.
Optional: sprinkle additional mix-ins, such as two tablespoons of melted butter, flaky finishing salt, paprika, garlic salt, or nutritional yeast. Toss the popcorn together to coat the popcorn with your optional mix-ins.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
If you find a lot of popcorn that won't pop, it's most likely that your kernels are not that fresh. Even if you just bought a bag at the store, it's hard to tell how long those kernels have been on the shelf. Use the freshest popcorn kernels you can find for the best results.
Some people will say that you can, but I would advise against it. The oil helps heat up the popcorn and helps the popcorn pop evenly in the pressure cooker. Without it, your kernels may pop unevenly, resulting in some burnt and others unpopped.
Making popcorn in an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is healthier than most store-bought packaged microwave popcorn.
🍽 Serving ideas
Buttered popcorn: Melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter and pour over the popcorn. Shake and toss together to evenly coat the popcorn with the butter.
Spiced popcorn: Sprinkle homemade fajita seasoning, cajun seasoning, or a BBQ seasoning for added flavor.
Dairy-free "cheesy" popcorn: Sprinkle nutritional yeast and/or your favorite dairy-free parmesan cheese alternative over the popcorn.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
The saltiness of this popcorn pairs deliciously with a glass of sparkling wine. Much like it does with fried food, sparkling wine also draws out the salty savory flavors of popcorn.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
- Pressure Cooker: you can make this in an 8-quart Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi (or other pressure cooker), or in a 6-quart pressure cooker.
- Clear Lid: you'll need a clear glass lid that fits the top of your pressure cooker.
- Spatula: use a heatproof silicone spatula (the one linked here is my favorite!) to stir the unpopped kernels and coat them with the melted coconut oil.
More snack recipes
If you like this popcorn recipe, you might also like this Valentine's Day Popcorn Mix.
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Instant Pot Popcorn
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Once it is heated up, add the coconut oil and let it melt.
- Once the coconut oil is melted, slowly add the popcorn kernels, then stir with a heatproof silicone spatula to coat the kernels with the oil.
- When you hear the kernels start to sizzle, cover the Instant Pot with a glass lid. Cook on Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, just until about ⅔ of the kernels have popped.
- Then hit Cancel to stop the Sauté mode, and allow the kernels to continue popping. Once you no longer hear kernels popping, remove the lid and carefully scoop out the popcorn to a serving bowl with a wooden spoon or using the heatproof spatula.
- Optional: sprinkle additional mix-ins, such as two tablespoons of melted butter, flaky finishing salt, paprika, garlic salt, or nutritional yeast. Toss the popcorn together to coat the popcorn with your optional mix-ins.
Notes
- Use fresh kernels. If you find a lot of unpopped kernels it's likely that you are using older kernels. Fresh kernels tend to pop well.
- Give the Instant Pot a light shake (making sure the glass lid is on tight!) about halfway through cooking to help make sure more kernels get popped.
- Melt two tablespoons of butter as the popcorn finishes popping, then pour over the popcorn before serving.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and toss the popcorn together for a spicy Cajun flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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