Instant Pot Popcorn + 4 Variation (GF, V)

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Need a quick, tasty and healthier snack for movie night, games night, general snacking that the whole family will love and get excited about? Then look no further than this awesome Instant Pot Popcorn. For real.

You can quickly whip up a batch of this 2 ingredient Instant Pot Popcorn, then work out a gazillion flavour options (ideas below) for your base popcorn to please everyone, with a nod or two to the movie/game etc.

I hope you love tucking right in with the family as you sit down to that movie. I really do and would not miss these family get togethers and traditions for the world.

Seriously the magic pot popcorn tastes waaaaaaay better than (soggy) microwave popcorn and (bland) air popper popcorn. I bet you I can’t remember when last we made stovetop popcorn in this house.

Why You’ll Want To Make Instant Pot Popcorn

Before we dive into making this there are a few reasons why you need to make this pressure cooker popcorn.

• It is quick – it takes only 10 minutes to make.
• Endless variations – you can add everything to your homemade popcorn.
• Great snack–  make a great healthy snack for everyone.

• Frugal – it is easy on the pocket but big on flavor.
• Crowd-pleasing – whip 2 or 3 batches and easily feed a crowd .
• Make ahead – yeap, make ahead, flavour and serve as guests turn up.
• Popcorn parties – make a huge amount of popcorn, put out aaaaaaaall the topping and host a popcorn party.

The thing about snack is that it is seriously easy to make. Have no worries, as I will show you step by step how to in this post and give you a few tips further below to make it even easier on you.

The most important thing you need to have is a glass lid for your Instant Pot, as the regular lid for cooking under pressure will not work.

Tools Needed

Ready to make some lovely homemade popcorn in Instant Pot, then gather all your ingredients and let me show……

How To Make Instant Pot Popcorn

Ingredients

For this one, we are keeping it really, really, really simple. With everyday ingredients that you have in your pantry. For this simple version, you will need.

• Coconut oil (or other oil with a high smoke point)
• Unpopped popcorn kernels

Full ingredients and recipe in the recipe card further below.

Instantpot Popcorn Method

• Step 1. Switch on the sauté mode and select More / High setting.
• Step 2. When the display says hot, add the coconut oil, melt completely till it sizzle.
• Step 3. Add 3 popcorn kernels, coat with oil and let them pop to check the temperature (so it is right for popping).
• Step 4. Then add the rest of the popcorn kernels, mix till all coated.
• Step 5. Cover with a glass lid, leaving slightly ajar watch the popcorn pop (in 3 minutes)
• Step 6. During popping, lift out the Instant Pot insert and gently swirl so that the unpopped kernels drop to the bottom. Do this a couple of times so that more kernels pop this way.
• Step 7. In about 4-5 minutes the popping will slow down so turn off the Instant pot then, wait for 30 seconds for any final pops and then decant the Instant Pot popcorn into a large bowl.
• Step 8. Add any seasonings you desire to the Instantpot popcorn, mix and serve.

• Step 4. Then add the rest of the popcorn kernels, mix till all coated.

• Step 5. Cover with a glass lid, leaving slightly ajar watch the popcorn pop (in 3 minutes)
• Step 6. During popping, lift out the Instant Pot insert and gently swirl so that the unpopped kernels drop to the bottom. Do this a couple of times so that more kernels pop this way.
• Step 7. In about 4-5 minutes the popping will slow down so turn off the Instant pot then, wait for 30 seconds for any final pops and then decant into a large bowl.

• Step 8. Add any seasonings you desire to the Instantpot popcorn, mix and serve.

Recipe Tips

A few tips that help to make popcorn in your Instant Pot super easy.

• Leave the lid ajar – Try to leave the lid open a tiny bit as this helps to reduce the steam so you get nice crispy popcorn. Keep ajar with a wooden spoon.
• Shake to pop the kernels – If you lightly shake the Instant Pot during the popping, the kernels will sink to the bottom and more of them will pop. Do this every 45 secs.

• Hold off the salt – If you avoid salting the popcorn as you cook it in the Instant Pot, it gives you more flexibility with flavourings at the end.
• The right amount of popcorn – stick with about half a cup of popcorn per session as having too much will result in there being too many unpopped kernels.

FAQs

The Best Oil For Making Instant Pot Popcorn

All popcorn lovers know that you need some sort of fat to cook the popcorn kernels in. Generally, when cooking it at home you would probably use some sort vegetable oil like olive oil or corn oil or you would use something like lovely butter. Your choice would be down to what tastes you like.

However, these oils or butter will not work as well for making popcorn in the Instant Pot as they have a lower smoke point so will burn. Instead, you would need the right oil.

You will need to use oil with a higher smoke point as you will be cooking at a high temperature. So as unrefined coconut oil is what you need. Plus it gives such a lovely flavor to the popped corn. Seriously good.

How To Make This Without Coconut Oil

I have only used coconut oil but friends have used other high smoke point oils like Canola oil (rapeseed oil) or ghee with success. Try it yourself and see what you think.

Popcorn With Butter

If you want to make this snack with butter, then make the popcorn as before using a high smoke point oil. But then mix in some lush melted salty butter into the popcorn when done and serve.

How To Make this Making Instant Pot Popcorn Without A Glass Lid

A friend of mine has made make this using a pot lid that fit the Pressure Cooker perfectly. So that might be worth a try if you don’t have one. I have not tested this method out.

Troubleshooting

• Be sure to follow the recipe tips above.
• Pop only about 1/2 a cup of popcorn kernels at a time.
• Shake the pot frequently whilst popping.

Recipe Variations

Hey guys, now this is where making popcorn in your Instant Pot gets to be more fun. Make it as normal. Below I show you how to make 4 different types of homemade popcorn.

But really the sky is the limit. If you like it you can add it in. Remember thought whilst the basic popcorn recipe is vegan, adding in some of the other ingredients below will change that.

If you are going to make popcorn that will stick together like caramel popcorn then please do remove any unpopped kernels as you don’t want to unknowing bite into one. So here are some fun variations for you.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Popcorn <= Recipe Link

3 ingredients. You will need Popcorn + Caramel sauce +  Chocolate chips.

Halloween Monster Popcorn <= Recipe Link

5 ingredients. You need Popcorn + Candy melts + Candy eyes + Halloween sprinkles + Halloween sweets.

Grinch Popcorn {Gluten-free) <= Recipe Link

3 ingredients. You will need Popcorn + Candy Melts + Christmas candy.

Herb Popcorn {vegan} <= Recipe Link

3 ingredients. You will need Popcorn + Thyme + Salt.

Homemade Popcorn Seasoning Ideas

• Nutmeg Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn – A sweet treat for the kiddoes.  It is as easy as sprinkling on some ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg and sugar on to the popped kernels.
• Gin and Thyme Butter Popcorn – Grown-ups, this one is for you.  Whip up some gin and fresh thyme butter and drizzle it all over your popcorn. So, so good.
• Cheese and Caramel Popcorn – This is a big, big, big thing in Canada and I love it.
• With a simple yet awesome With Coconut Caramel Sauce.

More Tasty Snack Recipes

• Instant Pot Egg Rolls.
• Instant Pot French Fries.
• Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
• Spicy Roasted Cashew Nuts
• Instant Pot Corn Dog Bites.

 Weight Watchers Points

• For the plain versions listed in the recipe card, there are 4 Blue Plan Smartpoints per serving.

Recipe Video

Thank you for reading my Popcorn in Instant Pot recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Originally published August 2018.

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