Pressure Cooker Popcorn

OMG!!! I've learned the simplest way to make delicious popcorn and it's a hit with the kids! If you have a pressure cooker and thought it was just for dinner, well, here's another way to put that wonderful pot to use!

First of all, I was looking for an alternate way to make popcorn at the house other than the prepackaged microwave version that contains all kinds of things that I don't want to eat nor feed my family. I don't own an air popper and really didn't want to shell out the money to get one for the occasional popcorn snack. I tried making popcorn in a large pot on the stove and it was very tiring and I actually burned the first couple of batches with a wonderful burnt popcorn smell permeating throughout the house! 

Then, I was at my chiropractor one day talking with another patient and she mentioned making popcorn in a pressure cooker and said that it was the best and so fast! I asked how and now, I keep the pop on the stove top along with a bucket of popcorn kernels close by for quick snacks at a moments notice. I've found that in the pressure cooker, the kernels pop better than even the microwaved versions with very few unpopped kernels and is fluffier than even the brands out there that promise the big fluffy popcorn.

So, now down to the how...

You'll want to start with a small batch to see how much you can actually make in your pressure cooker. So, this recipe is the small batch. My cooker is larger and I usually double the recipe.

First, pull off the pressure weight on the lid of your cooker. You want the steam to be able to escape while cooking.

2 TB Oil (I like coconut oil)
1/4 c popcorn kernels

Place your pressure cooker on the stove top on high heat. Add the oil (you can add butter also if you'd like, just be sure to keep moving the pan around to prevent burning) and 3 kernels. Shake the pan back and forth a couple of times and continue to do this about every 15 seconds or so to keep things moving. Watch the pan carefully to see when the kernels start to pop. But, not too closely, don't want to loose an eye from popcorn! 


Once the kernels begin to pop, add the remainder of the kernels. Shake the pan to evenly coat and put your vented lid on the pan. Shake the pan with no more than about 10 seconds of rest between shakes. You should hear a consistent popping. Once the popping slows to about 5 seconds between. Turn off the heat and pull the pan off the burner. Open the lid and revel in your delicious homemade popcorn. At this point, you can add salt, Parmesan or other flavors. Just shake a little to distribute the flavorings. Pour into a bowl and enjoy!