Instant Pot Popcorn (+4 ways to flavor it up)

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:

• What do you need to make instant pot popcorn?
• How do you make instant pot popcorn?
• Notes, pro-tips, and Quick FAQs –
• Some more Snack recipes –
• Instant Pot Popcorn
• Video

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.

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 –

• 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.

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

• 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.

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 –

• 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!

4. 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 –

Kale chips

Cheese crackers

Guacamole

Edamame Hummus

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Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

Warm regards,

Dhwani.