How to make Instant Pot popcorn with coconut oil on saute function is here. Ready in just 5 minutes you can make Ninja Foodi popcorn this way too and tastes way better than microwave. We have a pressure cooker video below too.
If you haven’t caught the bug yet to try Instant Pot popcorn I’m telling you that you MUST! I am working to create lots of new Instant Pot recipes and this is the latest one I tried. Watch our video so you can make it too!
Can I use a pressure cooker for popcorn?
Yes and no, you will use the saute function on your electric Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, Mealthy or InstaPot pressure cooker to make it this way! I think it’s a bit quicker than the “old fashioned” version too. You can use any brand you have at home. This is a really fun one to do with kids because with the glass lid they can watch it all happen in front of their eyes!
Remember as a kid it was just pure happiness when you heard that pop pop pop. You knew there might be a movie night awaiting you, little did you know then what a healthy snack it really was. That is right, I’m not talking microwave type in a bag with lots of who knows what. Get out your Crockpot Express, IP or make as a Ninja Foodi recipe and let’s get going y’all.
If you are new to pressure cooking we have a lot of easy one pot meal recipes for you here. To begin with let’s start with a few basic tips:
- Make sure to Bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We add new ones each week!
- Then PRINT this —–> Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet that will help you understand how long meat, vegetables and beans take to cook in your pressure cooker.
- I HIGHLY recommend you buy this non stick pot.
- You should know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing but it won’t have as many issues with this better liner.
For reference, this is the model I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.
Ingredient Notes
You must, must, must use Coconut oil to get hot enough to pop. It has the ability to handle very high heats without burning is why it is so important to use the right type.
You will want a cup of Popcorn kernels of course. I have tried with store brand and Orville Redenbacher and you can’t tell the difference.
When don you will want some salted butter or dairy free alternative, and salt to season when done.
Instant Pot glass lid is what I like to have so you can match it all happen in the pot itself. You will want your brand of cooker and a wood spatula to stir it all together in the beginning.
Popcorn with Saute in Instant Pot
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! Saute is what works for this recipe (and many others). This is what you’re going to need:
I don’t really add anything else on top of this, it is so good as is I just like to taste a little melted butter and sea salt. I do see nowadays thought that there are several types of seasonings at the store you can add too. You can make it cheesy, sweet more like Kettle corn, spicy, go for that if it sounds good but we are fine with simple.
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. It tastes WAY better than microwave popcorn and is a lot healthier than adding all that fake butter into the mix.
Tips for Success
First thing first you MUST use coconut oil or it will not work. You cannot substitute vegetable or olive oil as it won’t achieve the high heat you need for popping corn.
- I use coconut oil for lots of other things like melting chocolate so it will not go to waste other than using for this recipe. It has a high smoke point and can get hotter than others which will allow the process to start.
- Use an Instant Pot glass lid before they start popping to protect yourself from splatters.
- Turn off the Instant Pot once about 3/4 of the kernels have popped so those don’t burn, more will continue to pop with the remaining heat.
- Careful when removing the lid, so so away from your face.
Put popcorn in a bowl and pour melted butter and salt on top, discard unpopped kernels. Before you get started on this I HIGHLY suggest you watch the video in this post so you can see how it is done. If one step isn’t followed exactly it may frustrate you because the kernels won’t get hot enough.
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!
Coconut Oil Popcorn
Now you could use the same philosophy and the same ingredients to make this possible on the stovetop too. If you used this same type of “accelerant” and got it really hot where it was bubbling, then added your kernels and had a glass lid on it the same thing would happen. You’d need it over medium high heat and pay close attention as it just takes seconds for it to start to burn once popping stops.
Why do you have to use coconut oil to pop popcorn?
This is the number one question that comes into play when people make this, and the reason why it doesn’t work if you try to substitute for something else. Here are a few reasons why coconut oil is commonly used for popping popcorn:
- Coconut oil has a relatively high smoke point compared to other oils, which means it can withstand high temperatures without burning or producing excessive smoke. This is important when popping popcorn over direct heat.
- This type of oil adds a unique, slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the popcorn, giving it a delicious taste that many people enjoy. The flavor can enhance the overall popcorn experience.
- This has good heat distribution properties, which helps to ensure that the popcorn kernels pop evenly. This can result in fewer unpopped kernels and a more consistent batch of popcorn.
- While it is known to be higher in saturated fat content, it is primarily composed of medium chain fatty acids, which are considered to be relatively healthy fats. Easier to digest and metabolize compared to long-chain fatty acids. However, it’s important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
It’s not the only option for popping popcorn, but using this method it is. There isn’t another with the same high smoke point with the heat that the saute function generates.
You can grab a lid that fits on one of your pots really, or a splatter screen may work too. I wouldn’t use the other lid either as it would need to seal shut, create another mess, and you won’t be able to see what is inside to know when to turn it off and it will likely burn. Just trust me on this….
Instant Pot Popcorn Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You likely didn’t use a fat that can handle the high smoke point so the kernels won’t get hot enough to explode. Your lid also may not be on tight enough to create that high heat and steam they need to burst open like you want.
Other pressure cooker snacks you will love
Instant Pot brownies are fabulous If you want to try a quick treat you can try our 1 minute Instant Pot apple crisp too
- Pressure cooker corn dog bites are a fun after school snack to make
Please watch the popcorn recipe video first. It will help you succeed your first time around. Make sure to use coconut oil and kernels that are fresh and not old.
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!
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…
I used VEG OIL. AND IT DID JUST FINE.
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.