Instant Pot Popcorn

This is an easy, cheap, light, and healthy way to make popcorn! You can make popcorn at home so quickly and in any quantity that you like. Moreover, you can season the Instant Pop Popcorn with your favorite seasoning to enjoy your healthy snack. So why not give it a try?

I love making popcorn in my Instant Pot for almost every occasion. I make it for our weekly movie nights, pool parties, birthday parties, picnics, and playdates. The popcorn turns out so perfect! So it’s always a hit and people always ask for more.

The good thing is that it takes only a few minutes to make another batch. Also, it is better and healthier than chips or store-bought popcorn. As making popcorn at home using corn kernels means that you’re having an unprocessed snack that you can make from scratch.

Why Make Popcorn in an Instant Pot?

Homemade popcorn is way healthier than microwave popcorn, not mentioning that it is much cheaper too.

Making popcorn at home allows you to flavor it with your favorite seasonings, rather than being bound by the seasoning options available in the supermarket.

It is also faster and safer compared to the stovetop popping method. No burning accidents and the cleaning up is always a breeze!

Instant Pot Popcorn Ingredients

To make this very easy snack, all you need is dry popcorn kernels and virgin coconut oil.

Tools Needed to Make Instant Pot Popcorn

• An Instant Pot – this is the one that I currently use and love!

• Instant Pot glass lid that corresponds to the size of your Instant Pot.

The lid that I use is from the Instant Pot brand which I got it from Amazon. If you do not have Instant Pot glass lid, it can be replaced by any glass lid that you already have. Or even a large plate can do the job, but be careful when you touch it.

Even the regular lid that came with your Instant Pot works here. The only thing about using it is that you won’t be able to see the popcorn as it pops!

How to Make Popcorn in the Instant Pot?

• First, turn on your pressure cooker and press on “sauté-normal”. Let it preheat until the display reads HOT.
• Then, add virgin coconut oil to the Instant Pot and let it melt. However, other types of oil, such as vegetable oil, won’t work here.
• When the coconut oil gets hot, add the popcorn kernels. Give them a stir to coat in the oil and spread evenly over the bottom of the pot.
• Cover the pressure cooker with the glass lid that you’re using.

• The popcorn kernels will start popping within around 1 minute and will take about 2-3 minutes to finish. Shake the Instant Pot when the popping slows down to allow the uncooked kernels to pop.
• Remove the lid and carefully pour the popcorn into a serving bowl using oven mitts. 
• Season with melted butter or your other favorite seasoning blend or serve plain if desired!

The Best Oil to Use

One of the main reasons that make homemade popcorn a healthier snack is because you decide which oil to use. Using oil – or some sort of fat – allows the popcorn kernels to heat evenly and don’t get burnt before popping.

While butter and vegetable oils such as olive oil and corn oil are not suitable for this recipe – as they will burn due to their relatively low smoking point – virgin coconut oil is your best bet here. It has a very high smoke point which will ensure that all your kernels will pop up evenly.

I tested this recipe with corn and vegetable oil, and the corn kernels did not pop evenly. So using corn and vegetable oil was a fail in this recipe and I don’t recommend that you try use them.

Popcorn Seasonings

It is very easy to make homemade popcorn with different flavors and seasonings. Here are some of the most common ones. Adjust the amounts in these mixes based on your preferences.

Savory Popcorn Seasonings

Butter Popcorn Seasoning:

This is the most popular flavoring for popcorn. Just drizzle melted butter over the popped popcorn while it is still hot and season with salt.

Garlic Parmesan Popcorn Seasoning:

This is a savory flavorful option that is easy to make. Drizzle the mix over popped popcorn. The mix consists of the following ingredients:

• garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
• parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons)
• freshly grated black pepper (¼ teaspoon)
• Italian Seasoning (½ teaspoon)
• olive oil (2 teaspoons)
• salt (¼ teaspoon)

Ranch Popcorn Seasoning:

Drizzle this mix over popped popcorn. It consists of:

• dried dill (½ teaspoon)
• dried chives powder (½ teaspoon)
• garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
• onion powder (½ teaspoon)
• olive oil (2 teaspoons)
• freshly grated black pepper (¼ teaspoon)
• salt (¼ teaspoon).

Find our homemade ranch seasoning recipe here.

BBQ Popcorn Seasoning:

Drizzle barbecue spice mix over popped popcorn. The mix consists of:

• smoked paprika (2 teaspoons)
• chili powder (½ teaspoon)
• garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
• onion powder (½ teaspoon)
• brown sugar (1 teaspoon)
• olive oil (2 teaspoons)
• salt (¼ teaspoon)

Taco Popcorn Seasoning:

All that you need to do is sprinkle Taco Seasoning (1 tablespoon) and nutritional yeast (1 tablespoon).

Dorito Popcorn Seasoning:

Drizzle Dorito mix over popped popcorn. The mix consists of the following ingredients:

• nutritional yeast (2 tablespoons)
• garlic powder (¼ teaspoon)
• chili powder (¼ teaspoon)
• onion powder (¼ teaspoon)
• paprika (¼ teaspoon)
• grand cumin (¼ teaspoon)
• olive oil (2 teaspoons)
• salt (¼ teaspoon)

Spicy Buffalo Popcorn Seasoning:

If you love spiciness, then this option is for you. Drizzle the spicy buffalo mixture over popped popcorn. The mix consists of:

• smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
• cayenne pepper (¼ teaspoon)
• brown sugar (1 teaspoon)
• hot sauce (1 teaspoon)
• olive oil (2 teaspoons)

Coconut Curry Popcorn Seasoning:

This one tastes amazing if you love coconut and Indian or Thai flavors. Drizzle unsweetened shredded coconut (1 tablespoon), curry powder (¼ teaspoon), and salt (¼ teaspoon).

Sweet Popcorn Seasonings

White or Milk Chocolate Popcorn Seasoning:

This is our favorite when the kids are around. It works great for birthday parties or any other special occasion.

To make the mix, melt (½ cup) of white or milk chocolate chips and add (¼ teaspoon) of salt to it. Spread popped popcorn on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle the chocolate mix over popped popcorn and sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles (optional). Then, allow the popcorn to cool, then break apart and serve!

Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn Seasoning:

This seasoning reminds me of the flavored popcorn that my parents used to buy for me in a mall when I was a child.

To make it, just spread popped popcorn on a lightly greased baking sheet in a single layer. Boil for a few minutes (3-4 minutes) the mix made of the following ingredients:

• melted butter (3 tablespoons)
• red hots or red cinnamon imperial candies (7 ounces or 200 grams)
• sugar (4 tablespoons)
• corn syrup (4 tablespoons)
• salt (½ tablespoon)

Then add (½ tablespoon) cinnamon and (¼ tablespoon) baking soda.

Quickly drizzle the mix over popped popcorn and bake in the oven at 220°F (100°C) for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Allow the popcorn to cool a bit before breaking it apart. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Popcorn Seasoning:

To make this seasoning, mix the following ingredients together:

• powdered sugar (1 tablespoon)
• cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
• ground ginger (¼ teaspoon)
• ground cloves (¼ teaspoon)

Toss the mixture on hot popcorn and serve immediately!

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning:

To make this seasoning, you need the following ingredients:

• powdered sugar (2 tablespoons)
• cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
• salt (¼ teaspoon)

How to Make Seasoning Stick to the Popcorn

As the popcorn is made with coconut oil, it makes the seasoning easy to stick. So you don’t really need to add anything. However, you can drizzle the popcorn with melted butter if you like. It will get the seasonings to stick even more, and give a great buttery flavor. So it all depends on your preference.

Storing Tips

In order to keep it fresh and crunchy, spread popped popcorn on a baking sheet in a single layer. Allow to cool completely. Then store in an airtight container or in a sealed bag for up to 2 days.

For more delicious and nourishing recipe ideas, click here. Also, make sure to check out my other Instant Pot recipes.

If you try this recipe, please don’t forget to rate it and share a picture on social media, tagging #NourishPlate in your posts. I would really love to see your creations. Bon appetit!