Making Instant Pot Popcorn is probably the easiest from scratch snack you’ll ever make at home, and it’s much cheaper than the store-bought ones!
Plus you can flavor the popcorn however you like! In this post, I’ll walk you through making your own popcorn in an Instant Pot, with four different flavors/seasonings to keep things interesting!
Jump to:
Who doesn’t love snacking on popcorn? Whether it’s movie time, pool party, picnic, play dates, or any gathering, popcorns are always hit and come in handy. Plus it’s a versatile and much better option than chips.
If you haven’t caught the bug yet to try Instant Pot popcorn I’m telling you that you MUST!
I used to make popcorn on the stove. But when I tried popcorn in an instant pot, I was very surprised by the result.
Instant Pot gives the same result in the same amount of time every single time. Plus it is so easy to do! It was absolutely delicious and clean-up was a BREEZE!
What do you need to make instant pot popcorn?
To make instant pot popcorn (Plain version), you will need only 3 ingredients (Oil/ghee, salt, and popcorn kernels), an instant pot (Of course!), and a glass lid. And of course a few minutes! 🙂
If you don’t have the Instant Pot glass lid, dig around in your cabinet, I bet you have another lid that you can use. I did the same thing! 😉
How do you make instant pot popcorn?
Turn on your pressure cooker /Instant pot (I am using 6qt), press the Saute button.
Then Adjust button to the “More” setting.
Once the display reads “HOT”, add the ghee/oil.
Heat the ghee/oil until it is HOT. Add the popcorn kernels and salt. Toss to coat in the oil/ghee.
Spread the popcorn evenly.
Cover the pressure cooker with a glass lid.
Once ⅔rd’s of the kernels have popped, turn off the Instant Pot and allow the remaining kernels to pop with the lid on.
Once the kernels stop popping remove the lid, season with the desired seasoning or keep it as is and serve.
How easy was that??
Flavor options –
Making homemade popcorn with different flavors is so much easier than you would think.
Once the popcorn is finished popping, you can season your homemade Instant Pot popcorn.
Today I’m showing you how to season your popcorn in 4 different ways.
-
BBQ
Using BBQ potato chips (my son’s favorite) as inspiration, I’ve put together a barbeque spice blend to season air-popped popcorn with.
For this, you will need –
- popcorn kernels
- ghee/coconut oil
- smoked paprika
- chili powder
- garlic salt
- Onion powder
- brown sugar
- olive oil
Process –
Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn. (Skip the salt)
Meanwhile, mix together the brown sugar, olive oil, paprika, chili powder, garlic salt, and onion powder.
Once the popcorn is done, Drizzle the brown sugar mixture over the hot popcorn. Carefully toss to coat.
Transfer to a bowl and eat immediately, or spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before storing in a sealed container. This will stay good for up to 2 days.
-
Buffalo | Spicy
As a spicy food lover, this buffalo popcorn is my most favorite. The perfect salty, spicy, crunchy snack!
For this version, you will need
- popcorn Kernels
- ghee/oil
- paprika
- cayenne pepper
- sugar
- hot sauce
- olive oil
Process –
Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn. (Skip the salt)
Meanwhile, mix together the sugar, hot sauce, olive oil, paprika, cayenne, and Garlic salt.
Once the popcorn is done, drizzle the hot sauce mixture over the hot popcorn. Carefully toss to coat.
Transfer to a bowl and eat immediately, or spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before storing in a sealed container. This will stay good for up to 2 days.
-
White chocolate –
We love making fun Valentine’s Day treats at our house that doesn’t take a lot of work. This White Chocolate Popcorn is not only festive and delicious but so easy to make!
You can use any festive sprinkles to celebrate any occasion, be it Christmas, Easter, Halloween, theme party or St. Patrick’s day!
For this, you will need –
- popcorn Kernels
- Oil/ghee
- salt
- White chocolate chips
- sprinkles
Process –
Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn.
Spread out the popped popcorn on a cookie pan sheet.
Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave at 30-second intervals. Or you can use this instant pot method for melting the chocolate.
Quickly drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn.
Sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles.
Allow cooling. Then break apart and enjoy!
-
Garlic parmesan popcorn
If you’re craving something savory, this is a delicious and flavorful option.
For this, you will need –
- Popcorn kernels
- Ghee/oil
- garlic salt
- parmesan cheese
- black pepper powder
- Italian seasoning
- Oil
Process –
Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn. (Skip the salt)
Meanwhile, mix together oil, Italian seasoning, black pepper powder, parmesan cheese, and garlic salt.
Once popcorns are popped, drizzle this mixture over the hot popcorn. Carefully toss to coat.
Transfer to a bowl and eat immediately, or spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before storing in a sealed container. This will stay good for up to 2 days.
Note – In the video, I forgot to mix the seasoning with oil.
Other flavors/seasonings that you can try are –
- Ranch Popcorn Seasoning
- Taco Popcorn Seasoning
- Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning
- Chili and lime seasoning.
There is an endless number of seasonings!
Notes, pro-tips, and Quick FAQs –
- Avoid buying kernels in bulk as they may not have been stored in airtight conditions resulting in moisture loss.
- Check the expiry date, and choose the ‘freshest’ kernels at the store.
- If you are going to flavor your popcorns, SKIP the salt while popping the popcorn.
- Oils such as canola, peanut, corn, or olive oil may all be used but they have varying smoke points and may heat differently. This results in burnt kernels or not evenly popped corn. If you find the kernels to burn without popping, try the recipe on a lower heat setting.
- Which oil is best for making instant pot popcorn?
You do need to use some type of oil or fat to cook the popcorn kernels in.
The oil ensures that the kernels are all heated evenly and start to pop at roughly the same time. Without some kind of oil, the corn kernels would burn before popping.
I personally prefer and recommend using any high smoke point fat, ghee or extra virgin coconut oil.
Ghee and Extra virgin coconut oil have a very high smoke point ensuring that it won’t burn, and as a bonus, all the kernels will pop much more evenly and tastes delicious.
- How do you get the seasoning to stick to popcorn?
If you want the dry seasoning to stick to the popcorn, you will need to add a liquid fat to adhere to them. Mix in dry seasonings with butter or oil and add it to your popcorn while the popcorn is hot and toss it together.
I hope you try making popcorn in your Instant Pot. You’ll enjoy how easy it is to make a light and healthy snack.
Some more Snack recipes –
★ Have you tried this recipe? We’ll love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate and leave your feedback in the comment box below.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes.
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.
Instant Pot Popcorn
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup – popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoon – ghee (You can use extra virgin coconut oil too)
- 1 teaspoon – Salt
Instructions
- Turn on your pressure cooker, press the Saute button and then Adjust button to the “More” setting.
- Once the display reads “HOT”, add the ghee/extra virgin coconut oil.
- Heat the ghee/oil until it is HOT. Add the popcorn kernels and salt. Toss to coat in the oil/ghee.
- Spread the popcorn evenly.
- Cover the pressure cooker with a glass lid.
- Once all the kernels have popped, turn off the Instant Pot and take out the inner pot from the instant pot.
- Remove the lid, season with the desired seasoning or keep it as is and serve.
Video
Notes
Flavor options –
Making homemade popcorn with different flavors is so much easier than you would think. Once the popcorn is finished popping, you can season your homemade Instant Pot popcorn. Today I’m showing you how to season your popcorn in 4 different ways.1. BBQ
Using BBQ potato chips (my son’s favorite) as inspiration, I’ve put together a barbeque spice blend to season air-popped popcorn with. For this, you will need –- ⅓ cup – popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoon – ghee/coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons – smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon – chili powder
- 1 teaspoon – garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon – onion powder
- 2 tablespoons – brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons – olive oil
- Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn. (Skip the salt)
- Meanwhile, mix together the brown sugar, olive oil, paprika, chili powder, garlic salt, and onion powder.
- Once the popcorn is done, Drizzle the brown sugar mixture over the hot popcorn. Carefully toss to coat.
- Transfer to a bowl and eat immediately, or spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before storing in a sealed container. This will stay good for up to 2 days.
2. Buffalo | Spicy
As a spicy food lover, this buffalo popcorn is my most favorite. The perfect salty, spicy, crunchy snack! For this version, you will need- ⅓ cup – popcorn Kernels
- 3 tablespoon – ghee/oil
- 1 teaspoon – paprika
- ¼ teaspoon – cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon – garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon – sugar
- 2 tablespoon – hot sauce
- 2 tablespoon – olive oil
- Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn. (Skip the salt)
- Meanwhile, mix together the sugar, hot sauce, olive oil, paprika, cayenne, and Garlic salt.
- Once the popcorn is done, drizzle the hot sauce mixture over the hot popcorn. Carefully toss to coat.
- Transfer to a bowl and eat immediately, or spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before storing in a sealed container. This will stay good for up to 2 days.
3. White chocolate –
We love making fun Valentine’s Day treats at our house that doesn’t take a lot of work. This White Chocolate Popcorn is not only festive and delicious but so easy to make! You can use any festive sprinkles to celebrate any occasion, be it Christmas, Easter, Halloween, theme party or St. Patrick’s day! For this, you will need –- ⅓ cup – popcorn Kernels
- 3 tablespoon – Oil/ghee
- ½ teaspoon – salt
- ½ cup – White chocolate chips
- 2 to 3 tablespoon – your choice of sprinkles (Or more)
- Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn.
- Spread out the popped popcorn on a cookie pan sheet.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave at 30-second intervals. Or you can use this instant pot method for melting the chocolate.
- Quickly drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn.
- Sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles.
- Allow cooling. Then break apart and enjoy!
4. Garlic parmesan popcorn
If you’re craving something savory, this is a delicious and flavorful option. For this, you will need –- ⅓ cup – Popcorn kernels
- 3 tablespoon – Ghee/oil
- 1 teaspoon – garlic salt
- 3 tablespoon – parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon – black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon – Italian seasoning
- Follow the recipe for making a plain version of popcorn and make popcorn. (Skip the salt)
- Meanwhile, mix together oil, Italian seasoning, black pepper powder, parmesan cheese, and garlic salt.
- Once popcorns are popped, drizzle this mixture over the hot popcorn. Carefully toss to coat.
- Transfer to a bowl and eat immediately, or spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before storing in a sealed container. This will stay good for up to 2 days.
- Note – In the video, I forgot to mix the seasoning with oil.
- Other flavors/seasonings that you can try are –
- Ranch Popcorn Seasoning
- Taco Popcorn Seasoning
- Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Seasoning
- Chili and lime seasoning.
Few more notes and pro-tips with quick FAQs –
- Avoid buying kernels in bulk as they may not have been stored in airtight conditions resulting in moisture loss.
- Check the expiry date, and choose the ‘freshest’ kernels at the store.
- If you are going to flavor your popcorns, SKIP the salt while popping the popcorn.
Oils such as canola, peanut, corn, or olive oil may all be used but they have varying smoke points and may heat differently. This results in burnt kernels or not evenly popped corn. If you find the kernels to burn without popping, try the recipe on a lower heat setting. - Which oil is best for making instant pot popcorn?
- How do you get the seasoning to stick to popcorn?
Nutrition
Warm regards,
Dhwani.
I made milk chocolate and it’s amazing
Thank you, Mallory!
Can you make kettle corn
I have never tried.
What kind/ brand of popcorn do you use ?
Hi,
I have used Trader Joe’s organic popcorn kernels.
I finally successfully made popcorn without burning them! Thank you for the great recipe. Looking forward to trying some of the flavors you suggested!
Thank you so very much for the feedback!
Would it work making red hot cinnamon popcorn?
Yes, it will work. Mi red hot sauce, cinnamon powder and some brown sugar in butter or oil. And add this into the hot popcorn. Hope this helps.
Why a glass lid. I only have a metal one that came with a set of pots and pans. Can I use it
As mentioned in the notes, you can use any utensils that fits an instant pot.
I made the buffalo /spicy and was really good. Thanks for the recipes!
So glad to know 🙂
I only want to make an Old Bay popcorn. Is there anything different I need to do besides following the plain popcorn recipe?
First, make the plain popcorn. Take melded butter, add old bay seasoning ad stir well. Dump the prepared popcorn in a large bowl, drizzle with the melted butter-old bay seasoning mixture and toss together until well distributed until it is evenly coated with the spice mixture. Serve immediately. Hope this helps.
question on the instructions:
Cover the pressure cooker with a glass lid.
Glass Lid? What glass lid? Did your IP come with a glass lid?
Or did you just use one the is closest to fit the IP?
Any lid that fits the instant pot.
You can buy a glass lid for instant pots. Try any glass lids that you have at home first, like maybe a crackpot lid.
I have 4 people eating popcorn is it wise to double this or cook 2 servings at a time?
Yes, you can double it.
Can you use regular oil? I would love to try it today and I only have vegetable and olive oil.
Any high smoke point oil is good.
Do you use the regular liner, or non stick?
I am assuming you are asking about the inner pot. I used regular instant pot liner (inner pot)