Air Fryer Popcorn
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Learn how to make popcorn in the air fryer with no added oil, fat, or sugar! Ready in under 10 minutes, it’s the perfect quick and easy snack with plenty of flavor options!
Why I make popcorn in the air fryer
If there is a way to air fry something, I’d do it. I will admit I use my air fryer at least once a day. I often use it to crisp up some protein or veggies as part of my dinner. Recently, I’ve been using it to make one of my favorite snacks- Popcorn.
No longer is popcorn reserved for the stovetop or the microwave. You can enjoy piping-hot, fresh popcorn straight from the air fryer. Here’s why this air fryer popcorn recipe will be a game-changer-
- Ready in under 10 minutes. From prep to serving bowl, this popcorn takes less than 10 minutes to make.
- Healthier than microwaving. There is no butter or oil needed, and much better than using a microwave to cook the kernels.
- Easy to customize. Popcorn is a blank canvas, to keep it simple with some salt and butter, or be creative with a ton of flavor ideas listed below.
- No mess or clean up required. Because I’m adding a layer of tinfoil to the base of the air fryer, there is NO mess afterward.
When those post-dinner snack cravings hit, or you want something to enjoy while you watch a movie, switch on the air fryer and cook up some popcorn!
Key Ingredients
- Popcorn kernels. Easy to find in your local supermarket.
- Salt. To toss through the popcorn once it has been cooked.
- Flavorings. Optional, but there are tons of flavor options depending on your taste.
How to cook popcorn in the air fryer
Start by lining the base of the air fryer basket with tin foil, leaving about half an inch of overlap around the sides. Next, add the popcorn kernels into it, ensuring they are in a single layer.
Now, place the air fryer basket into the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. Once the timer goes off, keep the air fryer basket in place for 20-30 seconds to let any extra kernels continue popping.
Finally, remove the air fryer basket and transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Toss with salt and any flavorings you enjoy, and serve immediately.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Line properly. Only cover the base of the basket with tin foil, NOT the entire basket. The vents/air holes help with popping the kernels.
- Don’t overcrowd. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket with kernels, as this can burn the air fryer’s hinges. If you’d like to make a larger portion of popcorn, prepare it in batches.
- Add flavorings and oil after. Don’t add any flavorings or oil to the kernels before popping. This can and must be done after they have been popped; otherwise, the kernels won’t pop properly.
- Check early. Air fryers vary in power, so check on the popcorn a minute or two before the timer ends. If you notice any burning smell, stop early. I tested this in my Philips XXL air fryer and my Cosori Air Fryer, and both took exactly 8 minutes.
- Stop kernels flying. I like to shape the foil into a loose bowl or place a rack on top of the kernels to stop them from flying up into the heating element once they pop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do not add salt or seasonings to the unpopped kernels. Only add it once the popcorn is cooked; otherwise, it can interfere with the air frying process.
No, it is not recommended to add pre-flavored and oiled microwave popcorn packets to the air fryer. It will burn the popcorn and leave many kernels unpopped.
You can, but foil works better for popcorn. Parchment can block airflow, which results in fewer kernels popping. If you do use parchment, make sure it’s weighed down by kernels before switching the air fryer on.
This usually comes down to two things- overcrowding the basket, or your air fryer running hotter than others. Make sure kernels are in a single layer and check on them a minute or two before the timer ends.
Air Fryer Popcorn
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 teaspoon salt to serve * See notes
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
- Line the base of the air fryer basket with tin foil. I like to shape it into a bowl shape. Place the popcorn kernels in a single layer on top of it.
- Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. Let the popcorn sit in the air fryer for a further 30 seconds, to allow excess popping.
- Remove the air fryer basket and place the popcorn into a mixing bowl. Toss with salt and your favorite seasonings and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Flavor ideas
While this popcorn tastes delicious on its own, here are some flavor ideas for some fun and variety!
Spicy– Drizzle sriracha or hot sauce over the popcorn.
Butter– Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a bowl and whisk together. Transfer it into a food spritzer bottle and spray over the salted popcorn.
White cheddar– Spritz the popcorn with cooking spray, then toss with popcorn cheese flavoring or nutritional yeast.
Kettle corn– Spritz the popcorn with cooking spray and toss with 2 tablespoons of any granulated sweetener (sugar or sugar substitute) and salt.
Chocolate chip– Toss through 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips.
I have a Ninja Crispi, would this recipe work for that machine?
I haven’t used one of those Cosette- but I did some research and it and you should be able to- I’d add the toilfoil to the base and shape it like a bowl to prevent the kernels from flicking everywhere.
Can I use a silicone mould instead of foil
Yes, that would work, especially if it has high sides.
Thank you for this recipe.
I tried it and preheat the air fryer at 200c for 5mins, and then cooked the corn for 8mins at the same temperature, but less than half of the corn had popped, and the rest of the corn was simply brown.
What should I have done to achieve maximum pops?
Hello Temi! the foil is likely the culprit. Make sure it’s only covering the flat base with the sides fully open (although a bowl shape is ideal)- if it’s blocking the vent the kernels won’t pop properly. An extra minute or two can also make a big difference. 🙂
Hi Arman,
I tried this in my air fryer but only 4 kernels popped. I tried it again and no more popped after that. They started to smell like they were about to burn, so I just stopped. Can you make a video for this? Also what popcorn did you use because there are so many. I have Orville that I use in my microwave bawl, but popcorn is pricey, so I don’t want to keep going through packages. I have a Drew Barrymore Beautiful air fryer. I got one and have tried several of your recipes in it! You have my family eating a bit more healthier, and I thank you for that.
Did you use yellow or white corn kernels? Jolly, Pop Secret, Amish brand, store brand, etc.
It would be helpful to see a video because I really want to be successful at this.
Hi Kim! Thanks so much, it means a lot that my recipes have helped your family eat healthier.
For the popcorn, I use plain yellow corn kernels- any standard brand works (I typically use Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s), not microwave popcorn bags like the Orville ones, as those are pre-oiled and flavored which can cause burning and poor popping in the air fryer. For the Drew Barrymore air fryer, make sure the kernels are in a single layer with foil only covering the base of the basket, not the sides, so the hot air can circulate properly. I’ve added a video so hope it’s helpful 🙂
Not 1 kernel popped. After 9 minutes I poured the kernels into a pot with some oil and every kernel popped. Disappointed.
Hello, I’m sorry to hear that. The most common reason kernels don’t pop at all is that the foil is covering the vents, blocking the hot air from circulating around them. Make sure it’s only lining the basket with the sides left open. My recipe has worked for hundreds of readers so hopefully that is the fix 🙂
Thank you for your recipes.I enjoy them very much.They are easy to make and tasty
Worst popcorn I have ever had.
Sorry to hear that, Lara. Air frying popcorn is not for everyone. You can follow my air popped popcorn recipe instead.
They popped….it just took about an hour. I think I’ll just stick to stovetop. Thanks though
Oh wow, an hour is way too long- they should take under 10 minutes! Did you preheat the air fryer first? What air fryer did you use? I’d love to troubleshoot for you.
I loved the idea of this recipe, so i did the pan method alongside this one. The pan was quicker and tasted a bit better. This method didn’t manage to pop all the kernels either – they went very brown, but might have needed longer.
Thanks for testing both! The stovetop will always be quicker since oil conducts heat much faster than air. For the unpeopled kernels, going brown usually means the temperature is a little too high. Make sure the foil is only covering the base so the hot air can circulate properly around them. Worth another try! 🙂
Something’s off. Followed it to the letter. After 8 minutes only half the kernels were popped.
Hi CB! Half the kernels popping usually comes down to one of two things- the foil covering the vents rather than just the base, or the kernels being slightly overlapping rather than in a true single layer. Both prevent the hot air from reaching every kernel evenly. Give it another go with those in mind! 🙂
I have a question. This was easy, the popcorn was delicious. However, I had to stop the air–fryer 2 minutes before the end because it smelled like the popcorn was burning.
Several pieces were actually stuck to the heating element. What did I do wrong?
So glad you found it delicious, DS. The pieces flying up the heating element is a really common air fryer popcorn issue. Once they pop they become very light. Try shaping a piece of foil into a loose bowl to contain them. Stopping early was the right call! 🙂
I have a large air fryer and i used my rack tray on top of the pop corn to stop them from flying around and it was great!
So glad to hear that, Samuel. Thanks for sharing!
Won’t the popped kernels go to the top of the airfryer and burn?
They can if the basket is overcrowded! Keeping the kernels in a single layer means there’s less popping at once, which reduces the chance of them flying up. Shaping the foil into a loose bowl also helps contain them as they pop.
This didn’t work. I did multiple times in the pre-heated airfryer. Only 5 kernels popped.
FAIL.
Sorry to hear that. If only a few kernels are popping despite preheating, the most likely culprit is the foil blocking the vents. It should only cover the flat base of the basket with the sides completely open. This is what allows the hot air to circulate around the kernels and pop them. Hope you give it another go. I’ve updated the post to include a recipe video.
Can’t wait to try, recipe looks easy to make.
My foil liner immediately flew up into the heating coil… so I got rid of it and took the tray out too. I put the kernels right into the bottom of the basket. I should have done it for a little less time because some of my popcorn was overcooked. Thank you for posting this so I had a good place to start!
So glad you figured it out- the trick to stopping the foil flying up is to add the kernels on top if it while it isn’t air frying (post-pre heating) as the weight keeps it in place. But great thinking going without it, and yes, just shave a minute or two off the time next batch and it should be perfect.
You know how I was making popcorn? Put in tuppervear but glass one. Cover with baking sheet. And just put in microvawe. It was good!!
What temperature do I set airfryer when make popcorn
Hi there! 400°F 🙂
I have a Philips XXL air fryer and this recipe works well.
Just tried this in my Instant Pot air fryer and didn’t work at all, I even added another 10 minutes and nothing popped
Sorry to hear that, Marin. Instant pot air fryer lids don’t circulate heat as powerfully or consistently as a dedicated air fryer (it’s what prevented me from buying one!), which means the kernels don’t get hot enough to pop properly. For best results, a standalone air fryer works best here. In the meantime, I recommend trying my air popped popcorn recipe instead.
I don’t have the basket air fryer how will I make in in the oven looking air fryer?
Not sure about the oven! Try the stovetop using my air popped popcorn recipe
Didnt work for me even by keeping the kernels in longer, they just burned.
Hi- sorry to hear that. Adding more time when they’re already burning will unfortunately make things worse. Make sure the kernels are in a single layer only and that the foil is only covering the base of the basket- both of these are key to getting them to pop properly without burning!
Can I use parchment paper instead of aluminum foil?
Technically, you can, but for popcorn, I find having foil works better, as parchment actually blocks the airflow which would result in very few kernels popping.
Tried it exactly as described but all I ended up with was a few small burnet tasting ‘popped’ pieces and a lot of singed kernels… 😕
Sorry to hear that. I’ve tested this a fair few times before posting, and I’ve found two things usually cause this- overcrowding the basket or the air fryer being too hot. Make sure the kernels are in a single layer and check about a minute before the timer ends (7 minutes). Every air fryer is different.
What temperature?
Hi Kenneth- step 1- Preheat the air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
How do you keep the popcorn from flying around the air fryer?
The best trick is to shape a piece of foil into a loose bowl inside the basket before adding your kernels- it contains the popcorn as it pops while letting air circulate underneath. You can also place a rack on top as a barrier, as one of our readers does with great results!
Did someone ever complained that frozen popcorns are not good. Someone tried this?!
Hi Simon- this recipe doesn’t call for frozen kernels… and leftovers should be kept at room temperature.
Only a few kernels popped, some hit the top coil and burnt but most did nothing.
Hi Marilyn! The kernels hitting the coil usually means the basket was a little overcrowded- when they don’t have space to move, they’re more likely to fly as they pop. Make sure they’re in a single layer with a little room, and shape the foil into a loose bowl to help contain them. As for the unpeopled kernels, every air fryer runs a little differently so you may need an extra minute or two.
Thanks! I don’t have an oven, and my microwave just died while I was making popcorn in a brown bag. I had popcorn tonight after all!
I really enjoyed this as a way to make popcorn without the stovetop (I don’t have a microwave). It’s great for small servings and it’s fun to hear all the popping as they cook.
Thanks, Dave- I’m glad to hear that! It is great for smaller servings, isn’t it! 🙂
This was so good!!!
At first it says do not add oil to the uncooked popcorn then in the question’s section it says yes you can add oil/ butter before cooking. Which is it??
Hi Michelle- apologies for that, I’ve amended the tips to reflect things accurately- sorry for the confusion. I don’t recommend adding anything until post-popped! 🙂
Wonderful, fluffy popcorn. How do you keep the popcorn from getting stuck and burning to the heat coil in the lid? What setting do you use?
I have a newer model Ninja Foodi cooker with the all in one lid. The popcorn was wonderful, but it popped up into the heat coil.
Thank you
Great popcorn. We nearly had an emergency where pieces of popcorn (quarter of a cup) touched a heating mechanism and started a small fire in our airfryer. We put it out without too much damage, but obviously using a different airfryer requires different precautions.
Oh wow, so glad you’re okay and that it didn’t cause more damage, Anne! This is a great reminder that every air fryer is different- the key is to never overcrowd the basket and to shape the foil into a loose bowl to help maintain the kernels as they pop. If your air fryer has a heating element close to the basket, it’s worth keeping a close eye on it the first time you try this.
you simply need to not over crowd the basket as it says in the recipe