Instant Pot Cracker Jacks

Instant Pot Cracker Jacks—a homemade version of the original snack! Caramel covered popcorn and peanuts is an addicting snack that you can make completely in your Instant Pot.

Pin this recipe for later!

Instant Pot Cracker Jacks

I have a delightful snack for you today! Popcorn in the Instant Pot. And then, if you want, you can transform that popcorn into caramel covered popcorn and peanuts…like Cracker Jacks.

Do you remember Cracker Jacks? I loved the little prize in each box. As a kid that was definitely my favorite part! I haven’t had Cracker Jacks in years but now I can bring back the good memories with homemade Instant Pot Cracker Jacks.

You’ll start by popping popcorn in your Instant Pot. I made a video to show you exactly how to do it. Please subscribe to my channel!

Steps to making Instant Pot Popcorn:

1. Turn your Instant Pot to saute setting on MORE.
2. When the display says HOT add in 2 Tbsp of coconut oil and let it melt.
3. Add in 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. Use a spoon to push them down into an even layer on the sides of the pot where the oil is. Make sure each popcorn kernel is in the oil so that it doesn’t burn.
4. Wait until the first few kernels start to pop. Then place a glass lid on top of the Instant Pot. Let the popcorn pop. When there’s a bit of time between popping sounds shake the Instant Pot back and forth a bit. When there is more than 15 seconds between pops turn off the Instant Pot.

Some notes about making Instant Pot popcorn:

• Half a cup of kernels is about 8 cups of popped popcorn.
• You don’t have to own the Instant Pot brand of glass lid*. Any glass lid from your kitchen will work. Mine was over-sized and just sat on top of the pot.
• Don’t pop more than ½ cup of kernels at a time or you’ll get a lot of unpopped kernels. Make sure each of the kernels is pushed to the edge of the pot where the oil is sitting so that the kernels don’t burn.
• Coconut oil is the best choice. The kernels pop evenly. Vegetable, olive and corn oil all burn easier and you won’t have as much success with even popping of the kernels. I buy the coconut oil from Costco. I’m also seen it on Amazon*.
• Twist the pot and sort of shake it every so often after the corn has started popping. This will help the unpopped kernels pot better.

Pin this recipe for later!

Steps to making homemade Instant Pot Cracker Jacks

1. Pop ½ cup of popcorn kernels (using the method stated above).
2. Line a cookie sheet pan with parchment paper and pour the popcorn onto the pan. Remove any seeds and discard. Sprinkle peanuts over the popcorn.
3. Place the liner of the Instant Pot back into the pot. Turn the Instant Pot to saute setting (MORE). Add butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses and salt. Bring to a boil until the temperature reaches 250º F. I use a digital thermometer*.
4. Remove the liner from the Instant Pot and add in vanilla and baking soda.
5. At this point you’ll want to work quickly to drizzle the sauce over the popcorn. It hardens up quickly and is easiest to work with when it is hot and pliable. Gently toss the popcorn with a spoon or gloved hands to get as many pieces of the popcorn covered with caramel as possible.
6. Let the popcorn cool for 30 minutes then eat and enjoy! Some recipes bake the popcorn in the oven. I find that I like the popcorn best without baking it. It’s up to you though! If you do choose to bake it I would bake for 50 minutes at 250º F, stirring every 15 minutes. Then cool the popcorn and break it up into individual pieces.

I hope you enjoy this caramel popcorn and peanuts as much as we did!

More Snacky Instant Pot Recipes…

Instant Pot Raspberry Cheesecake Bites

Instant Pot French Bread

Instant Pot Chocolate Chip Muffin Bites

Instant Pot Churro Bites

Pin this recipe for later!

Print

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.