Air fryer popcorn pops up wonderfully light and fluffy with a slightly roasted flavor that everyone will love! It's sure to be your new favorite popcorn, and it's super easy to make, which makes it a winner all the way around! Your movie nights are about to get a whole lot better!
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Perfectly Popped Popcorn in Your Air Fryer
When I first heard that making popcorn in an air fryer was possible, I was super excited! I have a full-blown love affair going on with my air fryer, so I was looking forward to giving it a try.
But then all I could think about were those air poppers from the ’80s (check out Youtube for vintage videos!). They were all the rage at that time, and you had better believe that one sat on the counter of every home in my neighborhood! *Including my home way back then, which I have a newer but 'retro' version of now!
The selling point was you could eat as MUCH as you wanted for a fraction of the calories of regular popcorn. Of course, the air-popped popcorn was only good when you absolutely drowned it in butter. Once you did, it was definitely no longer 'healthy'!
Using the air fryer creates flavorful, fluffy popcorn. It takes a bit longer than the stovetop version, but there is much less chance of burning the popcorn – and you use less oil! Or leave it out entirely, and the popcorn is still tasty!
🥘 Ingredients
Other than your air fryer and some aluminum foil, you'll only need 3 ingredients. Two of which are optional because I'm sure you're going to love the slightly roasted taste of this air fryer popcorn!
- Popcorn Kernels - ¼ cup of popcorn kernels; use your favorite kind! I like organic, non-GMO brands. And I can never decide if I like the white or yellow corn better!
- Cooking Oil (optional) – ½ teaspoon of any cooking oil will do, or you can omit the oil. However, I love using coconut oil because I think it results in fluffier, more flavorful popcorn.
- Salt (optional) - Sprinkled, to taste. Or try some other flavorings, like nutritional yeast, garlic salt, or my own favorite, sweet maple sugar salt - which makes it like kettle corn! We're also big fans of Kernel Season's brand popcorn flavors, too, yummy!
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How to Make Popcorn in an Air Fryer
This is an awesome way to make your popcorn! To air fry your popcorn in a Ninja Foodie, select the 'air crisp' function and follow the instructions below!
¼ cup of popcorn kernels makes about 2 servings. You can always make more; just work in batches, so you don't overflow your air fryer!
- Prep. Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (205ºC) and use aluminum foil to line the bottom of the basket of your air fryer basket. Leave the sides as free of aluminum foil as possible to allow the air to circulate.
- Measure. Measure out ¼ cup (41 grams) of your favorite popcorn kernels.
- Add oil (optional). Lightly coat the popcorn kernels with ½ teaspoon (2.46 milliliters) of your cooking oil of choice.
- Add kernels to the air fryer. Place the popcorn into the lined air fryer basket. Try to make sure the kernels aren’t on top of each other – a flat palette of single kernels is best.
- Pop. Place the basket into your air fryer and cook at 400ºF (205ºC) for 5 minutes. Cook until you no longer hear kernels popping. Make sure you don’t open the basket too soon because rogue kernels may come flying out!
- Remove popped popcorn. Remove the basket and transfer any popped popcorn to a bowl. If there are still un-popped kernels, replace the basket with the air fryer and continue popping for another 3 minutes.
- Put it in a bowl. Transfer the remaining popped popcorn to your bowl with the already popped popcorn.
- Season and serve. Add salt and any additional toppings desired (melted butter, butter substitute spray, popcorn flavorings) and serve immediately.
🥗 What To Serve With Popcorn
Do you know what else is PERFECT when cooked in your air fryers? Grilled cheese! Especially my childhood favorite, grilled ham and cheese. Yum!
Check out both my air fryer grilled cheese sandwich and air fryer grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Then you can pop some popcorn! Or try my air fryer cinnamon rolls for a sweet treat! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Practice Makes Perfect: Your first few attempts at air fryer popcorn might require some tweaking. Experiment with small batches, adjusting as necessary, until you achieve your ideal popcorn.
- Kernel Management: Be vigilant about kernels potentially getting stuck in the air fryer's heating element. Clean any lodged kernels after each use, and note that basket model air fryers are generally more adept for this task.
- Use Sparingly for Special Occasions: While air fryer popcorn is a delightful treat, its preparation might be more suited for occasional enjoyment rather than a daily snack. Consider making it for special events like family movie nights for that extra special touch of homemade movie theater popcorn.
- Trial and Error: Understand that making popcorn in the air fryer might not be straightforward on the first try. Be prepared for a little trial and error to find the right cooking conditions for your specific air fryer model.
- Reserve for Movie Nights: Given the special care and occasional unpredictability of air fryer popcorn, save this method for those nights when you want to add a bit of excitement to your snack routine, making it a perfect companion for a cozy movie night at home.
🥡 Storing
Your leftover air fryer popcorn should be kept in an airtight container or Ziploc bag at room temperature. It will last for 1-2 weeks.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
No, you don't have to add oil or butter when making popcorn in an air fryer. The hot air circulating in the fryer is enough to pop the kernels without it.
While it is possible to use pre-packaged microwave popcorn in an air fryer, I don't recommend it. Most microwave popcorn bags are not designed for use in an air fryer, and the heat from the fryer can cause the bag to melt or catch fire. It's best to use plain popcorn kernels instead.
Absolutely! After the popcorn is done cooking, you can toss it with melted butter, salt, cinnamon sugar, popcorn seasoning, or anything else you like on your popcorn!
🍿 🥓 🍗More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites - These homemade pretzel bites would be an excellent addition to your next movie night!
- Air Fryer Bacon - Perfectly crispy bacon in half the time (with half the mess)!
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Crispy and perfect for dipping, these zucchini fries are a great alternative to french fries!
- Air Fryer Pancakes - Breakfast just got easier now that fluffy pancakes can be made right in your air fryer!
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes - Your air fryer will cook up these baked potatoes in a flash; all you need to do is choose your toppings!
- Air Fryer Shrimp - Juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp that is ready in a matter of minutes!
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📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¼ cup popcorn kernels
- ½ teaspoon cooking oil (optional)
- salt (optional, to taste)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
- Line the bottom of the inner basket of your air fryer basket with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Lightly coat the ¼ cup popcorn kernels with your ½ teaspoon cooking oil (optional), then transfer them into the lined air fryer basket. *This should be in a single layer with plenty of space between the kernels.
- Place the basket into your air fryer and cook at 400°F (205°C) for 5 minutes. Remove the basket and transfer any popped popcorn to a bowl. Return the basket to your air fryer and continue popping for another 3 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket and transfer popped popcorn to your bowl with the already popped popcorn.
- Add salt and any additional toppings desired (melted butter, butter substitute spray, popcorn flavorings) and serve immediately.
Notes
- Practice Makes Perfect: Your first few attempts at air fryer popcorn might require some tweaking. Experiment with small batches, adjusting as necessary, until you achieve your ideal popcorn.
- Kernel Management: Be vigilant about kernels potentially getting stuck in the air fryer's heating element. Clean any lodged kernels after each use, and note that basket model air fryers are generally more adept for this task.
- Use Sparingly for Special Occasions: While air fryer popcorn is a delightful treat, its preparation might be more suited for occasional enjoyment rather than a daily snack. Consider making it for special events like family movie nights for that extra special touch of homemade movie theater popcorn.
- Trial and Error: Understand that making popcorn in the air fryer might not be straightforward on the first try. Be prepared for a little trial and error to find the right cooking conditions for your specific air fryer model.
- Reserve for Movie Nights: Given the special care and occasional unpredictability of air fryer popcorn, save this method for those nights when you want to add a bit of excitement to your snack routine, making it a perfect companion for a cozy movie night at home.
Kevin says
Worked like a charm for me, a few kernal didnt pop but I think that happens in microwave bags as well. Thanks!
Anonymous says
Made a batch twice. No action first time. Second time I did not use aluminum foil and it worked
Louise says
What size air fryer works for this procedure? I have a two quart model since I live alone. Is 1/4 cup of corn kernels too much?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I would use half the amount (2 tablespoons) of popcorn kernels as the 1/4 cup amount makes a very large serving anyway. Enjoy!