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.
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!!