Instant Pot Popcorn

Bowl of Instant Pot Popcorn with a metal scoop of popcorn to the side and shaker of salt.

Did you know you can make popcorn in your pressure cooker? This Instant Pot Popcorn is simple and quick to make and so much tastier than the microwave stuff.

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It’s National Popcorn Day! Popcorn is one of my very favorite snacks and I’ve perfected making it fresh so naturally this is a day to celebrate.

This new popcorn method using a pressure cooker makes quick and delicious popcorn that’s perfect for all your movie nights. Let’s get into it.

White ceramic popcorn bowl filled with popcorn and a metal scoop to the side overflowing with popcorn.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Popcorn

Here’s what you will need to make fresh, hot popcorn:

  • Popcorn kernels: Make sure they are fresh for best results. They may not pop if they are too old.
  • Oil: You can use popcorn popping oil, vegetable, canola or coconut oil for this recipe. They all taste great but I especially love the popcorn oil, it makes it taste just like movie theater popcorn.
  • Flavacol or popcorn salt: Flavacol, or popcorn salt, is the other secret to making movie theater popcorn at home. It tastes just like that stuff they have at the movies. I’ve bought mine on Amazon but I also recently saw it in my regular grocery store so be sure to check in the popcorn/snack aisle.
Popcorn kernels, oil and salt mixed in  the pot of the pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Popcorn Method

Set your instant pot to saute mode on the hottest setting. Once it beeps that it’s hot, add the popcorn oil and popcorn salt. Mix together then add in your popcorn kernels.

Oil and popcorn kernels mixed in instant pot.

Cover the instant pot with a glass lid. It doesn’t have to be an instant pot branded one that fits perfectly just one that will fully cover the pot.

Allow popcorn to pop, shaking the instant pot occasionally. Once the popping slows to a few every second, turn off the instant pot and pour into a bowl.

popped popcorn in instant pot.

The Best Homemade Popcorn

Stop buying microwave popcorn and try this method. It is SO much better than the store-bought stuff and way better for you too.

It’s crisp and crunchy and by coating the kernels with salt and oil beforehand, it ensures they are fully and evenly coated with all that goodness.

If you love a sweet and salty treat, sprinkle in some plain M&M’s before enjoying.

White ceramic bowl that says popcorn, filled with popcorn.

More Popcorn Recipes

Bowl of Instant Pot Popcorn with a metal scoop of popcorn to the side and shaker of salt.
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Instant Pot Popcorn

Did you know you can make popcorn in your pressure cooker? This Instant Pot Popcorn is simple and quick to make and so much tastier than the microwave stuff.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot popcorn
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons popcorn oil (or canola, vegetable or coconut)
  • 1 teaspoon Flavacol or popcorn salt
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Instructions

  • Heat Instant Pot to saute mode on hottest setting. Allow to heat until it beeps that it's ready.
  • Add oil, popcorn salt and kernels then stir to coat. Place a lid on the Instant Pot that covers the whole insert. Shake whole pot every 30 seconds. Allow to popcorn to pop. Once the popping has slowed, turn off the Instant Pot and pour the popcorn into a bowl.

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