This is 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!
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. 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!
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.
How to Pop 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. I use it for things like melting chocolate too so it will not go to waste other than using for this recipe.
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.
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.
What type of lid do you use?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tried this for the first time – left out 1T of the butter & followed rest of the cooking directions in the video. When popping slowed down, I took the pot out with the lid on, and moved it to a pot holder – most of the popcorn was popped ?. I plan to try this recipe using a tad bit less coconut oil next time – overall, very happy with the results!
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
Same problem. What popped tasted great but just a bit popped.
I have had this problem with not all the kernels
Popped. After several tries, I figured out that the reason all the kernels didn’t pop, was because there wasn’t enough oil. So, I added extra oil and that solved the problem! All kernels popped. I hated throwing out half the kernels before! Hope this helps
Fran
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.