Instant Pot Popcorn

Make this Instant Pot Popcorn with just three ingredients. It’s healthy, delicious and made with real food ingredients that’s actually good for your family.

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Instant Pot Popcorn spilling out of a glass bowl on it's side

It’s like clockwork… right after my kids take a shower after dinner, they come downstairs and start making popcorn. Pretty much every night, they make their real food popcorn recipe (that’s made with just three ingredients) and then we all watch an episode of Studio C (it’s a sketch comedy show like a clean, family-friendly version of Saturday Night Live).

I love these family traditions. It always involves food and entertainment – sometimes it’s a board game, drawing contests, or a couple of episodes of our favorite comedy show.

But the thing I really love is that my boys make this healthy, delicious version of popcorn that’s made with just three ingredients. We don’t own a microwave (read 5 reasons to get rid of your microwave) so we can’t use microwave popcorn (which is usually coated with artificial ingredients and preservatives).

We used an air popper for years to make popcorn – not knowing there was a better way – and thought popcorn was supposed to take like cardboard. Yep, that air popper makes the blandest popcorn ever. Until we found a better way…

Now, we make popcorn in our Instant Pot. Wait, what? You can do that? Oh yeah! It’s so good and so easy that even my 6 year old can make it on his own (with adult supervision, of course).

Closeup of popcorn cooking in the Instant Pot with the lid partially taken off

So what’s so special about the Instant Pot? It’s a 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Cooker – including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute/browning, yogurt maker, steamer and warmer. Plus, it has a stainless steel cooking pot and steam rack. It does so much in one little kitchen appliance.

If you’re just getting started with the Instant Pot, check out my quick start guide Top 10 Instant Pot Tips and Tricks You Need to Know.


Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple

Are you struggling to find the time to cook healthy meals for your family?

Do you wish you could find one-pot meals that are simple and easy to make… and your family will love?

You’re about to find out how simple it is to make healthy, one-pot meals with your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker with my cookbook Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple. You can download it instantly to your phone, computer or e-reader, so it’s portable and can go with you anywhere!

With this book, you’ll get:

  • Tried-and-true recipes the whole family will love – including pot roast, spaghetti, tacos, carnitas, soups, and easy breakfast meals
  • Instant Pot starter guide on how to use the buttons, tips and tricks, and more
  • Printable shopping lists for ingredients
  • Step-by-step video lesson on how to use your Instant Pot, pressure cooker safety, and some of my favorite tips and tricks
  • Two-week meal plan that you can put into action for no-stress weeknight dinners

Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple ebook cover


How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn

This recipe is pretty easy to follow but be sure you let the coconut oil get sizzling hot. If you add the kernels too soon they will burn on the bottom. I personally find this way of making popcorn really easy to do but it does quality popcorn kernels. I’ve found lower quality popcorn kernels don’t work as well. Also, if you’re looking for a fool-proof way to make popcorn try the Whirley Pop. It’s so easy to use and can be done over the stove-top.

So the secret to Instant Pot Popcorn is… the coconut oil.

We’ve tried using butter, avocado oil, olive oil and NOTHING will give popcorn that rich flavor like coconut oil. And the funny thing is that there isn’t a strong coconut flavor on the finished popcorn. It’s just a way to give it that rich layer that tastes amazing.

In fact, movie popcorn is often made with coconut oil (though they do use some other additives and the “butter” is anything but real butter). But the coconut oil is what gives the popcorn that delicious flavor.

Step by step photos for making Instant Pot Popcorn

Where to Get Kitchen Pantry Essentials

I get my baking supplies like baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, etc. either on Amazon or my local health food store usually.

P.s. Looking for tips to transition to a real food or healthy gluten-free lifestyle? Check out my free Real Food Guide email course and e-book.

A graphic for a free ebook and email course when you subscribe to a mailing list

Did you try this Instant Pot Popcorn recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Instant Pot Popcorn in a glass bowl on it's side

Instant Pot Popcorn

Don't Mess With Mama
Make this Instant Pot Popcorn with just three ingredients. It's healthy, delicious and made with real food ingredients that's actually good for your family.
4.89 from 43 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 186 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Optional

  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions
 

  • Turn Instant Pot on to the Saute (High) setting. Wait 5 minutes to allow the temperature to get high.
  • Add coconut oil and let it melt. Tilt the Instant Pot to swirl around coconut oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Make sure the oil is sizzling hot (put a drop a water to check that it sizzles). NOTE: If you skip this step, the popcorn will stick to the bottom and burn.
  • Add popcorn kernels and use a spatula to coat the popcorn well. Stir for about 30 seconds. Cover with a clear Instant Pot lid.
  • It will take about 2 minutes for the popcorn to start popping. Do NOT take off the lid. Use the lid to see when most of the popcorn is popped (about 3/4 done or about 3-4 minutes), and then turn it off (letting the rest of the kernels pop for another 30 seconds or so).
  • Remove the lid and then take out the inner pot. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes to let the coconut oil set in. This adds to the flavor. 
  • Add butter (optional) and salt to taste. 

Notes

Coconut oil will make the best popcorn because it's a high heat oil. It also adds a lot of flavor. 
If you find that your popcorn kernels aren't popping, it could be the quality of the kernels. Try a different brand or batch of popcorn. 

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 124mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 175IUIron: 0.6mg
Keyword healthy popcorn, homemade popcorn
Tried this recipe?Mention @dontmesswithmama on Instagram

Closeup of popcorn in a bowl in front of an Instant Pot

 

 

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32 Comments

  1. I have a couple of questions as I have a different brand of pressure cooker.

    1. You’re using Saute to get the oil hot, but you’re not actually setting it to cook at another setting once the popcorn is in? Not using a pressure feature, just a hot pot situation?

    2. I don’t have a clear lid for my brand. If I find a tight fitting lid, would this work, since pressure isn’t being used? (I have a clear lid for a frying pan that may work)

  2. 5 stars
    Followed the instructions and could not believe how good it turned out!! My husband does not likr the coconut oil (small) so I repeated the steps with grape seed oil (only other oil I have at home).. Again – perfect popcorn! Thank you so much 🙂