This is how to make Instant Pot popcorn that tastes great and is ready in just 5 minutes!! Easy to do and tastes way better than microwave popcorn too. It’s fun to make at home and a great pressure cooker snack your whole family will surely love!
If you haven’t caught the bug yet to try the Instant Pot I’m telling you that you MUST! I am addicted because it makes my life so much easier, and meals SO much faster! I am working to create lots of new Instant Pot recipes and this is the latest one I tried. How to make Instant Pot popcorn! We have made it on the stovetop and in an air popper but this way is really easier and I think a bit quicker than the stovetop version. Here’s the directions. (originally posted 1/17)
The way you make popcorn in your Instant Pot is similar to the stove top version and how we’ve made it in the past.
I have been tinkering with mine since I got it and worked with what settings are best for meats, soups, and now popcorn and saute is what works for this recipe (and many others).
These are the things you will need to make Instant Pot popcorn and a video showing you how I make it.
- Instant Pot
- Instant Pot glass lid
- Coconut oil
- Popcorn kernels
- Butter
- Salt
This is how ours looked when we lifted the lid.
Like I said, you’re going to use the saute function for this recipe and it’s done in about 5 minutes or so…and tastes WAY better than microwave popcorn.
First thing first you MUST use coconut oil or it will not work, you cannot substitute vegetable oil as it won’t get hot enough.
I use coconut oil for lots of other things like melting chocolate (used it in this recipe) so it will not go to waste other than using for this recipe.
Here is a video showing you how we make it and the instructions:
Here is your printable recipe, please watch the video first as it helps so you succeed your first time around and make sure to use coconut oil and kernels that are fresh and not old.
Instant Pot Popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 c popcorn kernels
- salt
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to saute, more (or high) setting.
- Add coconut oil and butter and allow to melt completely and start to sizzle (important step - watch video in this post for an example).
- Add popcorn kernels and stir so all kernels are coated with oil.
- Place glass lid on top and hold, popcorn will begin popping in about 2-3 minutes, turn off when 2/3 of kernels have popped and they will continue to pop but not burn.
- Carefully remove lid. Pour out of pot when done so they don't continue to cook. Salt and you're done!
Video
I’m new to the Instant Pot so I didn’t have a lid, it is on it’s way now, so I used a glass lid from my large cooking pot that worked just fine but one that fit properly would be better so it didn’t slide around at all.
The kids loved watching it pop and it tastes really delicious!
If you love this Instant Pot popcorn recipe you should try our
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Too many unpopped kernels. I have the Crockpot Express. I used exact measurements. 🙁
Loved this, turned out perfrctly
My insta-pot doesn’t have a sauté button. Is there another button that would work similar to it? Thanks
FIVE TABLESPOONS OF FAT for 1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn? Crazy!
I use 1 tablespoon of butter or oil for 1/4 cup kernels.
Could this potentially harm my liner’s nonstick surface? (Crockpot brand)
I’m guessing the failed attempts are from the Lux model not having the ability to change to high. Just a guess
maybe, yes it must be on high
The IP LUX allows you to change the saute to more. Just got the adjust button. The only thing you can’t adjust is pressure.
Taste great, too many unpopped kernels. Followed recipe exactly with kernels purchased last week. I’ll try again with different kernels
Same issue
When you store your kernels, add 2 tsp of water to 1 lb kernels. I store mine in sealable plasticware and just dump the kernels, and the water, add the lid and shake. The reason for unpopped kernels is lack of water inside each seed. This keeps them moist enough to pop.
If you keep your kernels in the freezer, more of them will pop.
How well does this work in a stove top pressure cooker?
Should work the very same. My Mom used to do this, only difference in pressure cooking is the electric ones do most of the temp work and timing vs the stove top. I just convert my recipes to the stove if I need to pressure cook to things at once.
This is the first recipe I’ve used in my Instant Pot and it worked perfectly! It’s so much faster than cooking it on the stove.
Two failed (1/2 popped) attempts…now searching for the video- why can’t I find it?! oO
I changed up and used a little less oil.
eh…wont make this again – very oily flavor and not light and fluffy. will stick to the whirly pop for best popcorn – using just coconut oil and a bit of salt.
I use way less oil in mine and it works. Recipe needs a little tweaking on the oil.
Worked perfectly and tastes awesome!!
Making my second batch now, with a quality Amish Country non-GMO popcorn. It’s amazing!
I don’t have the IP glass lid, so I’m using a different one from other cookware. The kids are the first batch with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. I’m going traditional with the next one. 🙂
I’m so excited to try this! What size pot do you have? Mine is 3qt so I’m wondering if I should use less?
I have a 6 qt. The method should work the same for yours.
I used vegetable oil and it worked great!
I was a little worried to try this based on all the comments but it worked perfectly. Hardly any kernels left over. I sprinkled with cheddar cheese powder and it was absolutely delicious. I am going to have to experiment with other oils as my daughter is allergic to coconut. Hoping Avocado oil will work. I wonder if some of the problems people may be experiencing is because the pot isn’t hot enough. I almost didn’t adjust sauté to high myself since I usually use the Normal setting. Anyway, thanks for a great recipe!
So glad you loved it!!
Let me know if it works with avocado oil
You need to use coconut oil, link in post.
About to try this again. I think many of the failed attempts here could have made same mistake I did, which was adding the kernels too soon. I went by the instructions but if you watch the video you can see that the oil needs to be ‘sizzling’ hot, looks like its steamy in the video, before adding the kernels. Will let you know how it goes!
I used to make this on the stove often, light salt and nutritional yeast go great on it.
Second round wasn’t great either but I believe my kernels are not fresh, even tho I just bought them (they were in bulk container at local health food store so I can’t gauge their turnaround). Everything was going as per the video then they stopped popping much at all after about half of them had popped. Bummer
I was very careful to follow all instructions too. Same thing happened both times I tried. About 10 kernels popped and then it stopped popping.
Having the same result. First attempt about half the kernels popped. 2nd time, I left the lid loose until it started to pop thinking too much moisture building up. Looks like the video only stopped popping at about 2/3rds the kernels. Only difference is I used a liquid Coconut Oil.
Taste is great but disappointed in the popping. 🙁
That’s a bummer, April. I am thinking the quality of the kernels has a huge impact. My two batches with some fresh non-GMO popcorn were fantastic. Very few kernels left that didn’t pop. And since it was the first time making this, I may have stopped it too soon because I was afraid it would burn. (it didn’t – it was perfect)
This was awesome!!! Watched the video and had my popcorn in about 30 seconds (ok, maybe longer, but it was fast!). Thank you!!
Can you double the recipe or do you need to cook it twice to get the Doree amount
I would not double it, I would do it twice.
I tried it twice. New popcorn, coconut oil and butter on saute and the more highlighted 🙁
Same here. I’ve tried four times. Doesn’t work…
This worked absolutely perfect for us! So delicious! Was a bit scared reading all the failed comments but I followed the recipe exactly and it worked great! Thanks for sharing!
Yeah!! Glad you loved it too!
This was absolutely awful. Popcorn didn’t pop much and what did was greasy and gross. Would not recommend this recipe to anyone!
This was THE best popcorn I’ve ever had! Thank you!
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ours did not work, tried twice. first time forgot to adjust, second just like video and recipe. Don’t know what we did wrong. in past we have soaked popcorn for a few minutes before using in hot air popper. May try that again.
used virgin coconut oil and unsalted butter??
Make sure you’re using coconut oil as stated.
Worked great! I tried using sunflower oil yesterday and only a few kernels popped. Using coconut oil must have been what I needed to use because I just tried it and it popped up beautifully! And the flavor was amazing. No extra butter needed. Just a little salt. Thank you!
My husband says it’s a 10! Was hesitant based on some of the reviews, but watched your video and followed directions exactly. When the popping slowed down at about 1:45 seconds after the 1st kernel pop, I pulled the pot with lid out and let it sit on my cold stove. New fav!
Can I use grapeseed oil instead of coconut oil?
Did it twice with butter and avocado oil and failed twice
#1 you’re using the wrong oil – needs to be an oil that tolerates high temps, #2 are you using the high setting on saute?, #3 how old is your popcorn? so many of the comments here are lacking in common sense….use quality popcorn and follow the directions… if you don’t want to use coconut oil, substitute Wesson, canola, peanut…
Can you just put the regular instant pot lid on? Why does it need the glass lid?
You need to be able to see when most of the kernels have popped so you can turn it off and not burn the rest.
You can use a glass lid from one of your other cooking pots if it reasonably fits.
I just ordered the glass lid for my IP. I use Orville Redenbacher corn & olive oil which I know has low heat smoking point is that going o be a problem?
You have to use coconut oil for it to reach a high enough temp.
Coconut oil is the only one that doesn’t break down under high heat. Olive oil is great when used as a salad dressing but should not be used in cooking. Cooking with oils other than coconut oil has been linked to cancer.
Worked great!!!! I jumped when the first kernels popped LOL!! 😀
Thanks for sharing!!
Made tonight! I don’t eat microwave popcorn because all the horrible chemicals in it and I usually cook it on the stovetop This is basically the same thing but a lot easier cleanup
OH good!!
I tried twice and did not work either time
Take a look at my video, it worked for us many times.
Me too only thing I have not been able to do in my IP that I wanted to
Did not work I’m disappointed I love my IP
Complete and udder fail twice. I following instructions, but it didn’t work either time. I also used two different types of popcorn for both try and neither worked. I was so excited to use this recipe and make popcorn in my IP, but it was a complete fail (twice). 😞
Me too! It didn’t work 😕
Me too. It’s been in there 20 minutes. One kernel popped. I’m baffled.
It didn’t work for me either. I used coconut oil and butter. I didn’t have the lid for the pot so I used a glass lid from a cooking pot. Took forever to start popping (maybe 10 minutes), popped maybe a third of the kernels and then started burning. Orville Redenbacher popcorn – not old.
Yummy! I have a cuisinart pressure cooker and used the browning setting since sauté wasn’t quite hot enough. Turned out great!
Worked alright! I did end up stopping my IP when I didn’t hear any more popping. I used a slotted pasta spoon to take out the popped corn, and there were a LOT unpopped, so I started it up again. Worked great!!
I’ll stick with my stove top “Whirly Pop” popper I got for Christmas many years ago. For me, it makes the best popcorn ever made, just like Mom’s.
I just recently told my family the same thing. 😊
Love my IP for so many things… popcorn will not be one of them. Tried this recipe twice, explicitly the second time, both times ending up with only a small fraction the kernels popping. If you want to blame the popcorn, the Whirleypop made PERFECT popcorn with the same stuff. Let’s face it, the IP makes so many of my meals quicker, easier, better and healthier… but it can’t outperform my Whirleypop in any of those ways when it comes to popcorn, and I eat enough popcorn to put up with having that extra pot around.
Tasted too greasy and now I have to clean a pot. Microwave works just fine for me, don’t know what I was thinking doing this.
There is so much garbage in microwave popcorn it so so unhealthy! I’d argue that the little work involved with cleaning one pot is worth it for your family’s health.
1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag, fold over the top. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until the popping slows down (or use the popcorn function of you have it). No nasty ingredients. Quick and easy. Save the bag for next time or just toss if it gets ripped.
When microwave popcorn I only use the corn kernels and Orville s microwave popcorn popper! No salt no butter !
I have to agree. Too much work using an instant pot for pop corn. My microwave popper air pops the corn In 3-4 mins. Little clean up and no grease. Butter is an option for those who want it.
Thanks for the tutorial! I only had a glass lid that was a tad too big. I flipped it upside down and it worked perfect. My 12 year old said it was the best popcorn she has ever eaten!
never thought of flipping my slightly to big lid over- thanks! I’ll give this recipe a try now.
Delicous, easy, and worked better than my cast iron on the gas stove! Time to munch on yummy popcorn! My 2 pugs approve too! Thank you!
Huh. Miserable fail. Less than 1/4 popped and the rest burned slightly. I make it all the time in oil on the stove-top burner, and it’s great. I tried to make some today as comfort food because, among other things going wrong, my stove died today. I used a tad bit less oil and butter, but there was still plenty. I used the glass lid sold for the IP. The setting was on high. I waited until a single kernal popped before putting the rest in, then lifted the pan slightly and swirled the kernals to coat in oil. Once a minute or so, I spun the pot to shake up the kernals a bit. I don’t know what went wrong. Maybe my whole day is just jinxed?
From what you said…you didn’t follow ANY of the directions. Perhaps try again and follow directions to a t. Not Skippy or adding corners
Ooops…. discovered my problem. I miss read the amount of oil. I used 2/3 Cup of oil, not 3 TSP. Will try again
Tried this once. Not a single one popped. All turned brown. It seemed go work for others so…..?
What popcorn did you use, where did you buy it?
This worked perfectly for me. I currently have a giant bowl of buttery popcorn in front of me, no way I can finish this all on my own!
One quick pro-tip that I learned from my dad when I was a kid (he used to make popcorn in a pan for us), shake the pot a bit, back and forth in small motions. That helps distribute the oil and heat to all the kernels. Keep the lid on. Also, I turned off the instant pot after about 2/3rd of the kernels were done. Didn’t have a single burnt piece and all but one popped!
So glad it worked for you too!
How can you determine that it is 2/3 done? Is there an approximate cup level that would help indicate 2/3?
Yeah!!
Tried this less than 1/4 of the kernels popped. Miserable fail.
Need to make sure the oil is hot enough and the lid is very tight.
This happened to me also. I realised after watching the video though that she is setting it to “More” on the sauté setting, which isn’t noted in the written instructions. So when I tried the first time and failed it was because I just left it at normal. Didn’t know I had to bump it up!
The “more” noted in the instructions, but it is not clear. The instructions should probably say “Saute – More” setting.
What if you are allergic to coconut oil? Would vegetable oil work?
Any oil works.
no. needs to be an oil that doesn’t smoke at low temperatures. olive, avocado, flavored oils…no so much. any good quality cooking oil – Wesson, canola, peanut etc.
Great – I’m looking forward to trying this!
I am making do with a rogue lid too but don’t need the lid very often so think mine will work fine.