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.>
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my affiliate disclosure.
>
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).>
>
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
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.>
>
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.>
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
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic popcorn kernels
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/8 Himalayan salt
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
Nutrition
>
>
>
More Instant Pot Meals
- Top 50 Gluten-Free and Paleo Instant Pot Recipes {Pressure Cooker}
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 35+ Instant Pot Whole30 Recipes
- Instant Pot Roast Chicken
- Top 10 Instant Pot Accessories You Need
>
Is it possible to make it just using the regular lid that comes with the Instant Pot? Do you have a link to the clear lid?
You need a clear lid so you can see how much is popping. You might be able to go off the sound but I like the visual cue.
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Curious where I can get a clear lid for my instant pot.
Ordered it off of amazon
Hey Tracey – this looks great! I don’t have a glass top for my Instant Pot though. Can I use the standard top that came with it? Or can I put some other lid on it to keep the popcorn from popping out?
I’ve been doing on the stovetop for years, but this sounds so easy! Do you not get a bunch of burned popcorn on the bottom though? I always have to shake my pan repeatedly to avoid the burn.
So the key with this recipe is to follow it to a T. You need to get the oil sizzling hot in the Instant Pot – which takes like 3-4 minutes. Then you add the popcorn kernels and stir for about 30 seconds to coat them well. Then cover with the clear lid and let the kernels pop. Then turn off and remove the inner pot when the kernels stop popping. If you follow the directions like this, the kernels won’t burn on the bottom.