Perfect Instant Pot Popcorn: 3-Ingredient Movie Night Magic
There’s something magical about the sound of kernels popping and the aroma of fresh popcorn filling your kitchen. While microwave bags might seem convenient, making popcorn in your Instant Pot transforms this simple snack into something extraordinary. With just three pantry staples and about 10 minutes, you’ll have fluffy, perfectly seasoned popcorn that costs a fraction of store-bought options.
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How to make popcorn in an Instant Pot
Popcorn is one of those ultra-craveable snacks that just about everyone loves. While you might be used to tossing a bag in the microwave when you need a light snack or something to munch on while watching a movie, it’s far cheaper, nearly as quick, and even more delicious to pop it yourself.
Why This Recipe Works
The Instant Pot’s sauté function creates the perfect controlled heat environment for popping corn. Unlike stovetop methods, where hot spots can burn kernels, the Instant Pot distributes heat evenly. The coconut oil’s high smoke point prevents burning while adding subtle flavor, and the seasoned salt adheres perfectly when mixed with oil before popping.
Ingredients you’ll need
For the basics of Instant Pot popcorn, you’ll only need these three ingredients:
- Extra virgin coconut oil – Provides high smoke point and subtle flavor that won’t overpower the corn
- Popcorn kernels – Fresh kernels ensure maximum popping potential and better texture
- Seasoned salt or popcorn salt – Enhances flavor and helps create that classic movie theater taste
Be sure to use fresh popcorn kernels because old ones won’t pop either.
How to make it
Making Instant Pot popcorn is nearly as easy as microwave popcorn, but far better in quality:
- Turn on the Instant Pot, and start the saute setting on High.
- Allow the Instant Pot to heat for two to three minutes.
- Add the coconut oil and allow it to melt. Then, add the popcorn kernels and seasoned salt.
- Stir to make sure each kernel is thoroughly coated.
- Replace the lid and let the corn kernels pop.
- Turn off the Instant Pot when about two-thirds of the popcorn has popped, and allow it to finish popping naturally.
- Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and enjoy! Drizzle melted butter over it if desired.
It’s worth noting that this recipe is best when prepared using the glass lid available with the Instant Pot. However, those who only have the standard Instant Pot lid can swap it out for any clear lid from other kitchen pots that fits.
5 tips for popping popcorn in your Instant Pot
- If you’re looking for popcorn flavor just like you find at movie theaters, stadiums, and similar venues, grab some seasoning from the Flavacol brand.
- While coconut oil is best for its high smoke point and subtle flavor, those who don’t have any on hand can substitute vegetable oil or canola oil in the same quantity. Do not use olive oil.
- Carefully keep an eye on your popcorn as it pops. You should make an effort not to let it run too long, as this can burn the bottom pieces, leading to an unpleasant taste and smell.
- Give the Instant Pot a shake occasionally while it’s popping. This can help redistribute unpopped kernels, which should sink to the bottom and be exposed to the heat.
- Get creative with your flavorings. If you’re looking for a change from traditional popcorn flavor, try an Italian spice blend, Old Bay, chili powder, or cajun seasoning. Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese for a cheesy touch. You can even make it a sweet treat by drizzling the popcorn with caramel sauce or melted chocolate.
How to store popped popcorn
If you’ve got some popcorn left over after popping a big batch, the good news is that it’s as easy to store as it is to make. Once you’ve allowed the popcorn to cool to room temperature, store it in an airtight container or plastic bag. It’ll keep one to two weeks before going stale — if you can avoid snacking on it for that long!
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature Storage: Store completely cooled popcorn in airtight containers for up to 1-2 weeks
- Reheating Method: Not recommended, as reheating makes popcorn chewy. Best enjoyed fresh
- Freezing: Not recommended, as popcorn loses its crispy texture when frozen
Be sure to check out my latest Instant Pot recipes
- Apple Cider Pork Roast
- Best Ever Instant Pot Chili
- Corned Beef Instant Pot
- French Onion Rice Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Tri Tip Roast
- Sausage Pasta
- Yellow Curry Chicken Recipe
Use Instant Pot Popcorn for these recipes
Be sure to check out all my easy Instant Pot recipes and the best homemade snacks.
Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Easy Instant Pot Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/2 teaspoon popcorn seasoned salt
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot and press the sauté button followed by the adjust button. This should set your Instant Pot to a higher sauté setting. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the pot to heat up.
- Add the coconut oil. When it melts, add the popcorn and seasoned salt. Stir to coat the popcorn with oil and salt.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and continue to cook on sauté mode for 5 minutes, or until the majority of the popping has stopped. Cancel the sauté mode wait about 1 minute until the kernels have completely stopped popping before removing the lid. Serve immediately.
Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect – thank you!
I have the small Instant Pot. I cut the recipe in half using reasonably old Kroger popcorn kernels and canola oil. I used a metal pot lid upside down. It took a little longer than my old popcorn maker, but it popped more kernels. No burning of oil. I could probably try the whole recipe, but it would be a very full pot.
To those of you having problems I can relate and think I have sorted it out. I would use an olive oil or coconut oil as it has a higher burning points and I found that using vegetable oil I didn’t work as well as the kernels need a significant amount of oil to get hot enough to burn in the vegetable oil seemed to burn off too quickly so it was only popping a little bit. If I went back and added more oil more with pop so on and so forth. So try using an olive oil and coconut oil and possibly adding even a little bit extra as it burns up quickly in the instant pot.
Great recipe
Tried this twice. Both times I followed instructions to the tee, neither time did more than 15-20 kernels pop and then it just stopped…I thought maybe it was still heating so I let it go for a little longer and it just burnt the kernels…Can you give me more ideas of what might have gone wrong…It would have been great if it had worked…
I am really sorry you didn’t have excellent results. It could be the popcorn wasn’t the freshest, and it was slower to pop.
This worked great for me! Enjoying some amazing popcorn right now!
No matter what I did, had the same issue. This recipe is consistent every time. Perfect popcorn and hardly any unpopped kernels
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bO1WgcjF8SA
Sane for me, Bonnye. Used coconut oil and hot about 1/3 of the corn popped. Made a batch with the same oil and corn on the stove and it turned out great. 🤔
Stephanie,
Could I use butter in place of the oil? I love lots of butter on my popcorn. If so, how much butter will I be able to use? Thank you. Keep the great recipes flowing.
I would not, butter’s smoke point is low. I think the butter would burn, and it would be a mess.
You can always used butter flavored olive oil – Veronica’s is very good and readily bailable on Amazon
That’s a great idea.
Butter no due to the smoke point, but you can use clarified butter no problem. I do it that way all the time.
I gotta say it worked, not as quick as a popcorn popper but it was fun to try.
Gosh, I really liked having popped popcorn in my Instant Pot. My popcorn maker was on the fritz.
wow, corn biscuits are delicious, thank you for sharing.
I have the same question??
I am sorry I don’t know what your question is.
I looked up the Favacol you suggested and discovered in contains salt, artificial flavor, FD&C Yellow #5, Lake (E108) and FD&C #6 Lake (E110).
No, I do not want to put all this artificial flavor and colorings on food that me and my family will eat!
I did sprinkle a little Sari Foods Nutriitional Yeast flakes on the popcorn and it was great; gluten Free and Dairy Free! I have no affiliation with the company, just like the product.
I am glad you found something you enjoyed on the popcorn.
I enjoy favacol. A little goes a long way and you can skip regular salt.
I tried to do this once before with a lid from a pot and it was an epic fail. I recently purchased a glass lid made for the IP and gave it another try. It was a success (even though my kernels were expired). Started popping before I got the lid on, really fast method. Thank you!
Can it be made without oil? I’m super sensitive to oils but LOVE popcorn. I’ve been using the brown bag method for years but not loving the results and waisted unpopped kernels.
I don’t know, I haven’t tried to make it without out oil before. You may want to use your brown bag method instead.
I love to find different uses for my IP. I have made quite a selection from pot roast to cheesecake. I’m seeing a few different posts about success here. I think I will stick with my method of 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag and stick in microwave for about 2 minutes. This is a non fat way to make popcorn and works really well.
I have to give that a try sometime.
So why doesn’t the pot have to be shaken as with stovetop popcorn??
My guess is that the heat is radiated better through the pot due the structure of the pot, as opposed to the way it is in a pot on the stove top.
Do you seal the paper bag?
Nancy, fold over the top of bag 1 or 2 folds for a lunch bag size. I believe the folds will be facing floor if microwave.
Works great if a person follows directions.
The oil must be hot before adding popcorn.
Can the lid that came with the 7-1 be used to pop corn or must I have the glass lid?
I don’t think my slow cook feature gets hot enough to bring the food to a safe temperature, and maybe sauté isn’t suitable for popcorn either?.
You need to use the saute feature but you need to make sure you reset it from it’s default setting to high. Is it the most ideal way to make popcorn? no. Is it fun to try? Yes.
I must be doing something wrong !? I tried this TWO times; the first time exactly per directions & less than HALF of the kernels popped. Second attempt I followed the popcorn vendors directions & increased the oil to 3 tablespoons, this time I got about ⅔ popped max. The popcorn is Orville’s finest & has a best-by date of nearly 10 more months. Pls lmk if theres another setting I can try – it seems to take forever for the corn to pop …..thanks!
I tried it also and was g successful. Perhaps this is a ploy to entice people that might not otherwise have an instant pot, to purchase one. My hot air popper does a much better job. I add a mild flavored olive oil, for the health benefits. And easy on the salt but do use sea salt and sometimes other seasonings depending on my mood. It’s no fail and much friendlier than the movie popcorn.
Thank you for your comment. This wasn’t a ploy to make people purchase an Instant Pot. Rather, for me, it was a way to demonstrate its diversity. Some people who use these don’t have kitchens, are truckers, and what not. So for them, it is a good way for them to make popcorn. I understand for you your way is far superior, and I am glad you have found a method of making healthy popcorn for you. I hope others have learned from you and the way you make popcorn.
The popcorn started to pop for me, but quit before it finished. We waited, but nothing happened and we turned the stove on and made it the good old fashioned quick way. I did not wait for the oil to melt, would that have been the problem? This is only the third time Inhave used my instant pot, so new at this game. Appreciate yiur thoughts.
Hi Stephanie, Happy New Year. I will be trying this very soon. Thanks for the information. It looks like your glass lid has a vent hole. Is that important to make popcorn in the Instant Pot?