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Air Fryer Popcorn

Air fryer popcorn is the easiest way to make everyone’s favorite movie night treat! It’s quick, budget-friendly, and oh-so-tasty. Plus clean-up is a breeze!

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Overhead view of popcorn in a wooden bowl.

Can you pop popcorn in the air fryer? If you find the stovetop method just a little too tedious, but you’re looking for something more budget-friendly than bag popcorn, you’re going to love making air fryer popcorn!

This method truly couldn’t be easier. Just preheat the air fryer, lay out the kernels, and let everyone’s favorite kitchen appliance handle the rest! And because we use tin foil, clean-up is a breeze.

Whether you’re having a cozy movie night with the family or just want a crunchy, salty snack, air fried popcorn is always a great idea. It’s just as easy as microwave popcorn, but without the price tag or all the additives!

Air Fryer I recommend: Large, easy to clean, square basket, burner on top and bottom. Click to see it.
Overhead view of ingredients needed to prepare popcorn in an air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Popcorn

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

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Combining popcorn kernels and oil to pop in an air fryer.

STEP ONE: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil.

Popcorn kernels spread in a single layer on tin foil inside an air fryer basket.

STEP TWO: In a small bowl, stir together the popcorn kernels and oil, then spread them out into a single layer on the tinfoil.

Cover the kernels with a mesh or wire rack — this part is important to make sure they don’t fly up into the heating coil.

Popped popcorn on tinfoil inside a black air fryer basket.

STEP THREE: Air fry for 8 minutes, or until the popping sounds slow down, then remove the popcorn.

STEP FOUR: Return any unpopped kernels to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Discard any unpopped kernels that remain.

Closeup view of popcorn in a wooden bowl with kernels in the background.

STEP FIVE: Drizzle melted butter and sprinkle salt over the popped popcorn.

What Other Movie Night Snacks to Serve with Air Fried Popcorn

How Long to Cook Popcorn in the Air Fryer

For me, most of the popcorn finishes popping in about 8 minutes.

Just make sure you preheat the air fryer, otherwise it could take longer as the air fryer basket tries to heat up with the kernels.

My favorite part about this recipe is that you can remove all the air popped popcorn, then toss the unpopped kernels back in the air fryer for a few more minutes! I don’t know why, but I find it super satisfying when I get a few more of those stubborn kernels to pop.

Adding a dash of salt to popcorn in a wooden bowl with kernels in the background.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Popcorn

  • Always preheat the air fryer. This will speed up the cooking process and give you the best results.
  • Make sure all the kernels are well-coated in the oil to really help them pop.
  • When you spread out the tinfoil, make sure it goes a little ways up the sides of the air fryer basket. This will prevent rogue kernels from escaping out the sides.
  • Place a wire or mesh rack above the popcorn kernels to ensure none of them fly up and hit the heating coil.
  • Melt the butter while the popcorn is in the air fryer so you’re ready to add it right away.
  • After you air fry popcorn, make sure to check the inside of your air fryer. Some pieces of popcorn can get stuck in the fan from forcibly popping upwards!

More Delicious Snack Recipes

Overhead view of popcorn in a wooden bowl.

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Overhead view of popcorn in a wooden bowl.

Air Fryer Popcorn

Samantha Erb
Air fryer popcorn is the easiest way to make everyone’s favorite movie night treat! It’s quick, budget-friendly, and oh-so-tasty. Plus clean-up is a breeze!
4 from 1 vote
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course Air Fryer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 231 kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons melted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400F, line basket with aluminum foil.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the popcorn kernels and oil, then spread out into a single layer on the tinfoil. Cover the kernels with a mesh or wire rack — this part is important to make sure they don't fly up into the heating coil.
  • Air fry for 8 minutes, or until the popping sounds slow down, then remove popcorn and return unpopped kernels to the air fryer and cook an additional 3 minutes.
  • Discard any unpopped kernels.
  • Drizzle melted butter and sprinkle salt over popped popcorn.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 363mg

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


samantha

About Samantha

I’ve always had a love of cooking and creating new recipes, so it only made sense to create a food blog so I could share those recipes with you. This site is designed to provide easy and flavorful recipes with as little ingredients as possible. That means you still get great flavor combinations without all that extra time and effort. Read more...

4 thoughts on “Air Fryer Popcorn”

  1. Good morning from Québec, Canada!
    To cook the popcorn, can you provide me a link, picture or screen shot of what you use as mesh or wire rack? I have no clue what to use. Thanks a million.

    Reply
4 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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