Can you use an instant pot to make popcorn? Yes! Instant pot popcorn is quick, easy and delicious. Use our simple instant pot popcorn recipe for the easiest way to get ready for family movie night. To make instant pot popcorn you only need three pantry staple ingredients!

Finished Instant Pot Popcorn in a large popcorn bowl with popcorn toppings around like candy, salt and parmesean cheese - Kids Activities Blog
Instant Pot popcorn is the perfect treat for family movie night or game night!

Instant Pot Popcorn Recipe

Not only is it healthier to make popcorn in your instant pot than it is to make microwavable popcorn, but it is easy too! Making popcorn in your instant pot is fun and a good memory to make with your kids!

Once you have this instant pot popcorn recipe, you’ll never want to go back! Aside from the toppings, this recipe is made from whole food ingredients and is a healthy snack option for the whole family.

Related: Amazon is selling a $13 gadget that helps you make the perfect movie theater popcorn at home.

This article contains affiliate links.

Ingredients needed for Instant Pot Popcorn - salt, butter and popcorn sitting next to an insta pot - Kids Activities Blog
This is all you need to make popcorn in your insta pot!

Ingredients Needed For Easy Instant Pot Popcorn

*You will want to use an oil like canola, vegetable oil, coconut, or olive oil because they have a high smoke point. I don’t suggest avocado oil for this popcorn recipe. Personally I think coconut oil is the best oil for popcorn and will give you that movie theater taste.

How to Make This Simply Delicious Instant Pot Popcorn Recipe

Step 1

Step 1 - How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn - use instapot saute setting
Allow the oil to fully melt before adding the kernels.

Start by setting your instant pot to “sauté”.

Step 2

Step 2 - How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn - melting coconut oil
Cooking popcorn in an instant pot is super easy!

Add in coconut oil and allow it to melt.

Step 3

Step 3 - How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn - add unpopped kernals to the heated pan
Evenly coat the kernels with oil.

Add in popcorn kernels and give it a stir to coat with to oil.

Step 4

Cover instant pot with a clear glass lid and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until popcorn stops popping

Step 5 - How to Make Instant Pot Popcorn - popped popcorn
Make sure the lid is secured, and get popping!

Step 5

Carefully transfer popcorn to a large bowl and sprinkle salt over

Step 6

Enjoy with your favorite toppings or seasonings.

Suggested Popcorn Toppings 

Don’t let this list limit you! One of my favorite things to make for my daughter on a family night or game night is something we call “popcorn surprise”. The surprise is a either a certain kind of candy, gummies, or trail mix, that is buried by the popcorn! 

Use all your favorite toppings to turn this easy snack into the perfect popcorn! While fresh popcorn is great, let’s be honest, hot popcorn isn’t the star, the toppings are the best part.

  • Melted butter
  • Shaker cheese like parmesean
  • Seasonings: salt, pepper, cayenne pepper
  • Candy: M&Ms, Skittles, Goobers, chocolate covered raisins, gummies, etc.
  • Chocolate chips

How to Make Caramel Popcorn 

Instant Pot Popcorn
If you have a sweet tooth, whip up some instant pot caramel popcorn!

It’s so easy to make caramel popcorn! Pop the corn in your instant pot per the recipe, and then drizzle either make homemade caramel or your favorite store bought caramel sauce over the popcorn once you remove it from your instant pot, and then serve!

Is Popcorn Gluten Free? 

Unlike movie theater popcorn, you are almost always safe with the popcorn you make at home– depending on what you put in it!

Instant Pot Popcorn
The best thing about making your own Instant Pot popcorn is that you can control the ingredients to make it gluten free.

I always check the packaging on any packaged food items to be sure it is gluten and wheat free. So, check the popcorn kernels and oil package to be sure. 

Also, don’t forget to check your toppings! Not all candy and caramel, etc. is gluten free. You are generally safe with salt and butter, but double check any popcorn seasoning or processed butter seasoning toppings just to be sure.

How to Make a Family Movie Night Popcorn Bar

Set the tone for family movie night and set up a “concessions” stand, with little boxes of popcorn (Target usually sell those cute retro popcorn boxes in the Dollar Spot throughout the year).

instant pot popcorn recipe
Once you try this instant pot popcorn recipe you’ll never go back to microwave popcorn again! Homemade popcorn really is the best.

And set up water bottles, juice boxes, cans of soda, boxes or tiny bowls of candy, popcorn seasoning, melted butter, salt, and caramel.

Kids get a kick out of making their own special popcorn concoctions, and they LOVE making a special popcorn treat for Mom and Dad, too! It’s like you’re at the movie theaters! Except this way it’s cheaper and you can wear pajamas.

So sit back, let them serve you some treats, and enjoy a fun family movie, while making the best memories with your littles!

Yield: Serves 4

Instant Pot Popcorn

Instant Pot Popcorn

Making instant pot popcorn is easier (and healthier) than microwavable popcorn!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes 5 seconds
Total Time 11 minutes 5 seconds

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Coconut oil
  • ½ cup Unpopped popcorn kernels
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • Toppings:
  • Butter
  • Seasonings
  • Candy

Instructions

    1. Set instant pot to Saute.
    2. Add in coconut oil and allow it to melt.
    3. Add in popcorn kernels and give it a stir to coat with to oil.
    4. Cover instant pot with a clear glass lid and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until popcorn stops popping.
    5. Carefully transfer popcorn to a large bowl and sprinkle salt over.
    6. Enjoy with your favorite toppings or seasonings.
Movie Night Popcorn Balls With M&Ms Snack
How fun are these popcorn balls? Kids love to help making them!

More Yummy Popcorn Recipes From Kids Activities Blog:

What’s your favorite popcorn topping? Comment below! 



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