Name: Instant Pot Popcorn
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 6 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons coconut oil (can substitute ghee, bacon grease or olive oil); 0.5 cup popcorn kernels; 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt (or your favorite seasoned salt)

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Did you know that you can make popcorn in an Instant Pot? That’s right, you can have fresh, hot popcorn in minutes whenever those snack cravings strike!

For even more delicious pressure cooker recipes, check out the Instant Pot Recipes page.

Fluffy popcorn overflowing a small wooden bowl.

I have a confession to make, I am incapable of making popcorn in a pan on the stove! I have tried and tried, but all I seem to accomplish is testing the smoke detectors throughout the house. Well I learned a new skill and I can put away the brown paper bags, because this Instant Pot Popcorn is crazy easy to make.

I never realized how much “softer” the popcorn turns out when popped in a microwave until I tasted them side by side. The Instant Pot Popcorn is crispier, who knew? Okay, I’m sure most of you knew, but I have made it that way for so many years it just seems normal to me, LOL

Looking down on a wooden bowl overflowing with popcorn.

Popcorn ingredients:

Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil or Ghee to keep the kernels from sticking to the pan.
Fresh popcorn kernels – choose a good quality popcorn for best results.
Fine Sea Salt and melted butter for movie-style flavored popcorn.

How do you make Instant Pot Popcorn?

Turn on your pressure cooker, press the Sauté button and then the Adjust button to the “More” setting. (in the newer Instant Pots you press the Sauté button until it reads More)

Instant Pot Sauté More setting HOT on the display.

Once the the display reads “HOT”, add the oil.

Heat the oil until it is HOT, shimmering, and starting to sizzle, two to three minutes. Add the popcorn kernels and toss to coat in the oil.

popcorn and hot oil in the pressure cooker.

Cover the pressure cooker with a glass lid or silicone splatter guard.

Once most of the kernels have popped, turn off the Instant Pot and allow the remaining kernels to pop with the lid on. Once the kernels stop popping remove the lid, season as desired and serve.

How easy was that??

Recipe Notes & Tips:

The Official Instant Pot Lid has a steam hole built in so condensation hasn’t been a problem. They tend to sell out so you may need to check the Instant Pot® website.
Any 9-inch lid will work, or even a silicone splatter guard to keep the popcorn in the pot!
I used olive oil because I am allergic to coconut, but coconut oil, ghee and bacon grease work the best.
I have three 6 quart Instant Pots that I use in all of my recipes. I do not have a 3, 5 or 8 quart so I do not know what adjustments may or may not need to be made to the recipe.
If you have some upper arm strength, grab a kitchen towel or two hot pads and shake the entire pressure cooker side-to-side to move the kernels around. This helps to drop the kernels to the bottom and keep them moving.

More delicious popcorn recipes:

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Enjoy!!