Instant pot popcorn is a simple way to make homemade popcorn right in your instapot with all the flavor and no mess!
This instant pot popcorn recipe is ready in less than 15 minutes and is perfect for your next movie night! Try it with some butter or taco seasoning on your popcorn and enjoy with air fryer spinach mozzarella sticks and oatmeal creme pies.
Instant Pot Popcorn
Instant Pot Popcorn
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Simple to make in the instant pot.
📌 Use whatever kind of butter or oil you enjoy.
📌 Perfectly popped popcorn every time!
Instant Pot Popcorn Ingredients
- Popcorn – White or yellow popcorn kernels.
- Oil – Olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Seasonings – Melted butter, salt, and your favorite popcorn seasonings.
Oil, popcorn kernels.
How do you make popcorn in the instant pot? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, set your instant pot to sauté mode and pour the oil into the instant pot insert.
⭐ Next, allow the oil to heat up. When the instant pot displays the word “hot” add the popcorn kernels.
⭐ Then, stir the popcorn kernels and cover with a clear lid or the instant pot lid.
⭐ Finally, once you see or hear the popcorn popping, let the popcorn continue to pop until most kernels are popped. Serve and enjoy!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
You can add some butter to the oil for extra flavor if you’d like.
Preparation
Why cover with a clear lid?
This is to check to make sure the popcorn is not burning while popping. If you don’t have a glass lid, check the popcorn every minute or so to make sure the popcorn is still popping and not burning.
Why aren’t my kernels popping?
You want to make sure you have fresh popcorn kernels. Older popcorn doesn’t pop as well.
What kind of oil to use for instant pot popcorn?
Any oil will work well for this! We’ve experimented with a few different oils. Olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil make very tasty popcorn!
Allow the oil to heat up before adding the kernels.
Storage and leftovers
How do you store instant pot popcorn?
Store any leftovers in a ziploc bag or airtight container at room temperature and enjoy for up to 5 days or until the popcorn begins to taste stale.
What should I do with stale popcorn?
Try making our popcorn bark or white chocolate popcorn with any leftover popcorn!
Stir the kernels to coat in oil before covering.
Tips and tricks
✅ To ensure the kernels are popping evenly, stir the popcorn or shake the instant pot after about a minute of popping. This will also help prevent any burnt kernels.
✅ Top with your favorite seasoning like taco or ranch seasoning or simply add some sea salt for a tasty treat!
✅ Add 2 tablespoons of butter in with the oil for delicious buttery popcorn.
✅ After the popcorn is popped, add in some M&Ms for a salty sweet treat on your next family movie night!
Do not use your pressurizing lid, a class pot lid works best for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
How can I avoid burning the popcorn?
- Preheat the Oil: Allow the oil to heat up on the sauté function until it shimmers before adding the kernels.
- Use the Right Amount of Kernels: Overloading the pot can cause uneven popping and burning.
- Monitor Closely: Stay nearby to listen to the popping. When the popping slows to several seconds between pops, turn off the sauté function.
What should I do if the popcorn stops popping or starts burning?
If the popping slows down or stops, immediately turn off the sauté function and remove the lid to prevent burning. Transfer the popped popcorn to a bowl to cool.
Will making popcorn damage my instant pot?
Using the sauté function as directed should not damage your pot. However, avoid using the pressure cooking functions with popcorn, as it could create too much pressure and potentially damage the unit.
Give the pot a little shake periodically if you feel like the kernels aren’t cooking evenly.
What to enjoy with popcorn made in the instant pot (serving suggestions)
This is a simple and quick way to make popcorn without the messy cleanup of a traditional oil popper. For our movie nights, we like to also make some peanut butter bars, seasoned pretzels, and puppy chow for the perfect snack spread!
Enjoy as-is or top with butter, salt, and your favorite seasonings.
More great snack recipes
- Hot cocoa muddy buddies
- Crock pot chex mix
- Apple nachos
- Parmesan garlic chex mix
- Stuffed celery
- Rice krispie treats
- Cinnamon twists
- See all our easy snack ideas!
Other awesome instant pot recipes
- Instant pot corn
- Instant pot BBQ chicken
- Instant pot spaghetti
- Italian sausage soup
- Instant pot ribs
- Instant pot cabbage soup
- Instant pot balsamic pot roast
- See all our easy instant pot recipes!
😍😍😍
Tools we love
- Instant pot pressure cooker – Mine is a 6 quart basic model, but there are lots of bigger, smaller, and fancier options to choose.
- Wooden spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
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How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn
Instant Pot Popcorn
Ingredients
- ½ cup popcorn kernels (4 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- optional toppings: melted butter, seasonings
Instructions
- Set your pot to sauté and add oil. Allow the oil to heat up until it becomes shimmery, 1 - 2 minutes (depending on your pot, it may display "hot" at about the same time).
- Add popcorn kernels to heated oil, and stir for about 1 minute before adding a lid (a glass lid preferably, but NOT the pressurizing lid).
- Allow popcorn to cook/pop for about 5 minutes, until most of the kernels have popped (they will begin popping after about 2 minutes).
- Top with melted butter and your favorite seasonings, if desired.
Notes
- A glass lid is best so you can easily monitor the popcorn as it cooks.
- If you feel like the kernels are not cooking evenly, try shaking the pot a little bit every minute or two.
Nutrition
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Instant Pot Popcorn
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Beth says
This is my new favorite way to make homemade popcorn! It was so fast, and the popcorn was so fluffy without being greasy. LOVE IT.
Krystle says
It was so easy and fun to make this popcorn. We like ours with butter and parm.
Catalina says
Thank you for sharing this Instant Pot popcorn recipe! It was quick, easy, and the popcorn was so much better than store-bought. A new favorite snack in our house!
Sandra says
This popcorn is so much better than store bought and a lot cheaper! Keeping this recipe for sure!