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Air Fryer Popcorn

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Super light, fluffy and flavorful Air Fryer Popcorn recipe! Making popcorn in an air fryer could not be easier or more delicious. You’ll never make it any other way after trying this air fried version!

A top view of a white bowl filled with fluffy popped popcorn.

Every once in a while we call it a popcorn-for-dinner night and I highly recommend you give it go! This beats the movie theater variety any day! Gratefully, it couldn’t be easier to get your popcorn fix with an air fryer in tow. Popping corn in an air fryer is EASY. Bonus: it comes out significantly more fluffy and flavorful than the stovetop variety and it’s way tastier than microwave popcorn. I can’t wait for you to give it a go!

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Air fryer popcorn makes the perfect healthy snack with fiber, protein, potassium and complex carbohydrates.
  • You can make popcorn your own with your own desired flavorings.
  • This is one of the easiest popcorn recipes!
  • Make movie night a breeze.
  • Naturally gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free.
A close macro shot of popped popcorn kernels.

🍿 How-to Make Air Fryer Popcorn

a side shot of a white bowl filled with white popcorn

🧈 Popcorn Toppings

Here are some great ways to enjoy this easy air fryer popcorn!

  • Drizzled with melted butter and sprinkled with salt.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and chopped fresh herbs.
  • Sprinkled with nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese.
  • Drizzle with a favorite dipping sauce.
  • Drizzled with coconut oil and sprinkled with black pepper and salt.
  • Heat one part honey, one part apple cider vinegar. Drizzle. Thank me later!
  • Want to go sweet? Toss with some cinnamon and mini chocolate chips.
  • We often combine 1/4 cup nutritional yeast with about a teaspoon each of the following spices: garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika and sometimes a dash of coconut sugar. It’s delicious!
  • Also, you can find my Sweet & Salty Popcorn formula in my book The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.
  • You might also like this Indian Popcorn.
A hand grabbing air fryer popcorn from a white bowl on a blue countertop.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of popcorn kernels should I use?

I’m quite fond of using non-GMO popcorn kernels of the white or the yellow variety. The fresher the kernels are, the better the popcorn!

Why coconut oil?

I personally find using coconut oil for the popping process to result in a fluffier and tastier popcorn that pops rather evenly. I do not find it to add a strong coconut taste to the popcorn, but if you would rather not use it, olive, grapeseed or avocado oil work great, too!

💭 Top Tips

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Being that you are popping popcorn, the kernels will pop and there’s not much you can do to control which direction the popped kernels head once they start!

Toaster Oven Air Fryer

If you’re using a toaster oven style air fryer to air fry popcorn, you will want to line the tray very well with aluminum foil to not allow any gaps. Shape the foil upwards a little on the edges to essentially form a shallow bowl and ensure when it pops, it simply lands right back down in the tray!

Problems?

If you get a stray kernel or two dropping down, don’t fret! I find the heating elements in air fryers to allow ample time before anything crazy happens.

Nothing?

And, if you are not seeing much popping action at all, shake the tray or basket a few times, then resume. If still nothing, it is likely the popcorn kernels are old or compromised somehow. Start again with fresh!

A white bowl filled with white popped corn.

🥡 Storing and Reheating

This air fryer popcorn tastes best served straight away, but keeps pretty well at room temperature lightly covered for about 24 hours. It tastes better at room temperature rather than reheated, so I don’t recommend taking that route. You can always warm up the toppings though!

A close up shot of white fluffy popcorn in a white ceramic bowl.

♨️ More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Love

Air Fryer Kale Chips

Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Air Fryer Halloumi

35 Plant Based Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

A white bowl filled with white popcorn overflowing onto the dark blue background.

You might also like caramel puff corn!

a white bowl filled with popcorn next to an air fryer tray filled with popcorn

Air Fryer Popcorn

Super light, fluffy and flavorful Air Fryer Popcorn! Making popcorn in an air fryer could not be easier or more delicious. You'll never make it any other way after trying this air fried version!
4.57 from 71 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Air Fryer, Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Kristen Wood

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil or any oil you prefer
  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels white or yellow
  • optional toppings see post above for suggestions

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  • Line air fryer basket or try with foil.
  • Place popcorn kernels onto foil. Drizzle with oil. Toss to coat.
  • Place into preheated air fryer and air fry for 8 minutes or until most kernels have popped.
  • Remove from the air fryer (so it's not overdone!), and top as you would like. We like to drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with a touch of salt. See the post above for more topping suggestions. Enjoy!

Notes

Please see the full post above for helpful tips!
You might also Plant Based Air Fryer Recipes.
Also see: Best Cornflour Substitutes.
You might also like our Air Fryer Tempeh.
Also see: Can you put foil in an air fryer?

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 89kcal

Recommended Products

Air Fryer
Popcorn Kernels
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Recipe Rating




 

13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I never knew I can make popcorn with my air-fryer. It’s so much easier to cleanup than other methods.

  2. 5 stars
    Our family can’t get enough of this popcorn! So far our favorite is using some black garlic and truffle salt on the popcorn. So great!!

  3. 5 stars
    We never have any leftovers of this yummy popcorn! Our favorite way to top it is with a sprinkle of chili powder. So fun for movie night. Thanks!

  4. 5 stars
    I eat popcorn all the time for a snack but I hate the clean up. This looks super simple and easy to clean up. I’m giving this a try ASAP!

  5. 5 stars
    I had no idea you could make popcorn in the air fryer! But after trying it this way, it’s my new favorite way to make popcorn!

  6. 5 stars
    Enjoyed this for movie night and it was a quick and unexpected way to enjoy popcorn! Adding this to my favorite recipes for my air fryer! So easy and crisp; loved every bite!

  7. 5 stars
    I love my air fryer but I haven’t made popcorn in it yet…so excited to try 🙂 Love that it uses very little oil too!

  8. 5 stars
    Never tried using air fryer for popcorn, I should try! It looks like a healthy method too.