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.
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.