Easy Air Fryer Popcorn

4 from 1 vote

My recipe for air fryer popcorn is so easy and fool proof! It pops right in the air fryer basket and is perfect for movie nights.

Prep Time2

Cook Time10

Total Time12

Course: Air Fryer Appetizers and Snacks, Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Calories: 251kcal

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, then line the basket with aluminum foil.
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.
Air fry the popcorn 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, then drizzle the melted butter and sprinkle salt over the popped popcorn.

Always preheat the air fryer so the popcorn kernels hit hot air right away.
Make sure all the kernels are fully coated in the oil, or they may not pop.
To keep rogue kernels from escaping out of the air fryer basket, make sure the foil goes up the sides of the basket about halfway.
Place a wire or mesh rack over the popcorn kernels so none of them fly up and hit the heating coil.
For the perfect timing, melt the butter while the popcorn is in the air fryer so it’s ready to add as soon as the popcorn is done.
Always double check the inside of my air fryer to make sure none of the popcorn pieces got stuck in the fan after a super forceful pop!