• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Beef Gravy
  • Store

Cooking With Curls logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Beef Gravy
  • Store
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Beef Gravy
    • Store
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Popcorn

    Published: Mar 27, 2018 · Modified: May 24, 2021 by Lisa Johnson

    Instant Pot Popcorn

    480 shares
    • Share13
    • Tweet

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Skip the microwave and make this easy Instant Pot Popcorn instead! © COOKING WITH CURLS

    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.

    Heating oil in pressure cooker.

    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.

    Place clear lid on top of Instant Pot.

    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.

    A wooden bowl overflowing with popcorn.

    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:

    • Instant Pot Chocolate Bacon Popcorn
    • Taco Popcorn
    • Salsa Verde Popcorn
    • Springtime Chocolate Covered Popcorn
    • Instant Pot Kettle Corn

    If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!

    Enjoy!!

    Skip the microwave and make this easy Instant Pot Popcorn instead! © COOKING WITH CURLS

    Instant Pot Popcorn

    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!
    4.02 from 207 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: pressure cooker, popcorn recipe
    Prep Time: 3 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 6 minutes
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 40kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Turn on your pressure cooker, press the Sauté button and then the Adjust button to the “More” setting.
    • 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.
    • 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.

    Notes

    • 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.
    • I used olive oil because I am allergic to coconut, but coconut oil, ghee or bacon grease work 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.
    • It is helpful to shake the pressure cooker, if you can, while popping to make sure all of the kernels get to the bottom and move around.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Iron: 0.3mg
    « Taco Popcorn
    Orange Sweet Rolls »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda C says

      August 17, 2018 at 3:54 am

      I am totally going to do this the next time I have the grandkids over. THX

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Salty Spicy Popcorn - Give Recipe says:
      January 29, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      […] If you have an instant pot and want to make your popcorn using it, check out Lisa’s method Instant Pot Popcorn. […]

      Reply
    2. Best Instant Pot Recipes - Saving & Simplicity says:
      June 8, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      […] Popcorn – Cooking With Curls […]

      Reply
    3. 20 Iconic American Dishes In The Instant Pot - Instant Pot Eats says:
      August 3, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      […] Popcorn is the world’s oldest snack food. In 1948, Herbert Dick and Earle Smith discovered small heads of corn and individually popped kernels deep in a dry cave. The kernels have since been carbon-dated to be approximately 5,600 years old. In Utah, a kernel approximately 1,000 years old was found and thought to be inhabited by Pueblo Indians. The first commercial mobile popcorn machine was invented in Chicago by Charles Cretors in 1885. The popularity grew at approximately the same time that movies became popular. The mobile popcorn vendors outside of theaters gave birth to popcorn being sold inside movie theaters. During the Great Depression, popcorn was one of the few affordable snacks, while other supplies were rationed. Recipe from Cooking With Curls. […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Headshot of Lisa Johnson

    Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Watermelon Mojito Recipe
    • Instant Pot Veracruz Pork Chops
    • Watermelon Pina Colada
    • Fish Taco Salad
    Shop Lisa's Favorite Products on amazon.com with 5 product images.

    As seen in...

    List of magazine where my recipes have been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates & receive a FREE Instant Pot e-Book filled with the Top 10 reader's favorite recipes!

    Topics

    • Instant Pot
    • Tropical Pina Colada
    • Beef Gravy
    • Recipe Index

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2012-2022 Cooking with Curls® | All Rights Reserved