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Did you know that you can make DIY kettle corn popcorn at home? This sweet and salty instant pot kettle corn recipe is an easy homemade snack that is highly addictive and perfect for movie night!

Check out my Instant Pot Recipes page for even more delicious pressure cooker recipes.

A bowl full of kettle corn popcorn sitting on a blue tile background.

What is kettle corn?

Kettle Corn is a State Fair treat that I was first introduced to when I lived in Iowa. It is traditionally made in a cast iron kettle, hence the name, but it is super easy to make at home in a pressure cooker or on top of the stove with a Whirley Pop popcorn maker.

This popcorn has a slightly sweet, yet slightly salty flavor that creates the perfect flavor combination!

Kettle Corn ingredients:

popcorn kernels – white or yellow, your choice.
coconut oil – you can substitute any high heat oil if you prefer. I have used olive oil and ghee in the past with no problems.
granulated sugar gives this popcorn it’s sweetness.
fine sea salt gives it that pop of salty flavor.

Popcorn kernels, coconut oil, sugar, and salt in small white bowls.

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How to make Kettle Corn in an Instant Pot

Turn on your pressure cooker, press the Sauté button and then the Adjust button to the “More” setting. (in the newer Instant Pots you press the Sauté button until it reads More)

When the the display reads “HOT”, add the oil.

Heat the oil until it is HOT, shimmering, and starting to sizzle, two to three minutes. Add two kernels, cover and wait until they pop.

Two popped kernels in a pressure cooker.

Add the remaining popcorn kernels to the pot. Sprinkle with sugar and salt, stir to combine.

Popcorn kernels tossed with oil, sugar and salt in a pressure cooker.

Place a lid on top of the pressure cooker and wait for the kernels to start popping.

A lid over the popcorn kernels, oil and sugar in a pressure cooker.

Place a kitchen towel across the top of the lid and use it lift the pot up enough to shake the kernels every minutes or so to keep them from burning.

Once the popping stops, turn off the pressure cooker and carefully remove the pan. Pour the popcorn into a large serving bowl.

A close-up image of a bowl full of kettle corn popcorn sitting on a blue tile background.

Recipe Notes & Tips

The Official Instant Pot Lid has a steam hole built in so condensation hasn’t been a problem. They tend to sell out so you may need to check the Instant Pot® website.
Any 9-inch lid will work, or even a silicone splatter guard to keep the popcorn in the pot!

Tools used to create this recipe:

6 quart Instant Pot
Glass Lid
Popcorn Kernels
Coconut Oil – refined has a higher cooking temperature rating than the virgin oil.

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More delicious popcorn recipes:

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Enjoy!!