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.
The instructional part early in the blog says to turn off the pot after 3/4 of the kernels have popped, but the printed recipe says 2/3. Which one is more likely to be successful?
It was a big hit! Thank you for the recipe! Not sure what the others commenting are doing wrong.
Not quite sure but glad yours was a hit
So disappointed. Had it on saute for like 20 minutes. Nothing happened. Had to go to stove top method.
Me too
I’m glad I’m not the only one LOL I think I made a mistake or something. I must have not let the oil heat up enough BEFORE putting in the kernels… I’ve tried like 4 times and now the kernels are really well heated but not popped
Turns out great everytime, use lid with holes to let out steam. Tried it with just coconut oil taste even better, added nutritional yeast when finished tastes great.m
Yay!!
I’ll stick with my 41 year old air popper. Faster, less mess, still near 100% popped kernels.
Absolutely right, after three attemps, and following instructions, finally got about half the kernels to pop.
I will go back to my stove top method as well, this takes way to long.
Just make popcorn on the stove top. This recipe is too long.
The small about of popcorn that popped tasted delicious, however I could feel my arteries clogging as I ate it. So tasty but I think i i’ll use my air popper from now on. Not sure why only about a 1/4 of the kernels popped for me. The rest didn’t and I ended up putting them in a pot on the stove to finish popping.
I had the same problem!
Same!
I did the same. InstantPot did not work for me. Good old Le Creuset pot did!
Kernels ?
Your popcorn is dehydrated. Try soaking the kernels in water for about an hour, strain, spread out on toweling on a baking sheet to dry and store in the frig in a sealed jar. Then the next time you pop it most of the kernels will pop.
Too coconut oily. I love coconut oil but the flavor was too overpowering. Not the classic buttery popcorn flavor I was hoping for.
I use veg oil and it does just fine.
I just made this and it is great. What is the reason for the butter mixed with the coconut oil? If it for the tast of buttered popcorn? Can it be left out and have the butter added after popped with the salt?
I assume you could omit and melt later, have always made it this way.
What about using peanut oil?
No, you must use what is listed.
Can I use shortening? My son is allergic to coconut, and i don’t want coconut flavored popcorn.
I just did Orville in pot for my first time with peanut oil (no coconut) and it worked just fine!
Oh awesome