Air Fryer Popcorn Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Popcorn
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup popcorn; 1 tsp salt; Seasonings of your choice

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Enjoy your favorite snack without the guilt with this easy Air Fryer Popcorn Recipe.

Air Fryer Popcorn Recipe featured image above

People have been popping corn since 4,700 BCE, first over a fire, then on a stove. Then, in the 1980s, microwaves brought a whole new dimension to popcorn. These days, the advent of the air fryer offers another option, and this time, no butter is needed. With the air fryer, you can enjoy delicious popcorn without the added calories of oil, fat, or butter.

But first, let’s understand why corn can pop. The key is the strong outer hull of a popcorn kernel and the small amount of water inside. When heat is added, the oil and water inside the kernel turn into steam. The pressure increases until the hull ruptures. The starch and proteins inside the kernel turn into an airy foam, which as it cools becomes the crispy puff we all know and love.

The air fryer applies the heat but doesn’t need butter or oil to magnify the temperature, so you get perfectly popped corn that is a blank canvas for whatever flavors you can imagine. Plus, by lining the air fryer with aluminum foil, clean-up is super easy!

If you’re like me, you love trivia, and popcorn has all kinds of fun facts. So sit back with a bowl (of popcorn, of course), and dive into some of these Fun Facts, including info on National Popcorn Day! You can also transform your popcorn into dessert with this fan-favorite recipe for Homemade Caramel Corn.

Ingredients

1/4 cup popcorn
1 tsp salt
Seasonings of your choice

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Line the bottom of your air fryer with aluminum foil.

Step 2: Cover the bottom with ¼ cup of popcorn kernels.

Step 3: Close the air fryer and turn it to 400°F. Cook for 10 minutes until the kernels start to pop. If you open it and some kernels are still closed, then take out the popped kernels and leave in the rest to cook for another 3 minutes.

Step 4: Take out all of the popcorn and throw away any kernels that haven’t popped. Sprinkle with whatever seasonings you like and enjoy.

Top Tips For a Perfect Air Fryer Popcorn

Line the entire basket of the air fryer with foil. Otherwise, the kernels will get underneath the basket.
Don’t be tempted to pour in extra kernels. They won’t have the air space to pop properly. Discover interesting fun facts about popcorn in our article on popcorn’s history, fun facts, and varieties.
Wait a few minutes before removing the basket so the kernels can finish popping. Also, check the health benefits of popcorn to see why it’s a great snack choice.

FAQs

What are some popular flavor ideas?

There are so many choices! Here are some ideas: white cheddar, sriracha, black pepper, or granulated sugar. The sky’s the limit with this one.

I know I don’t have to use butter, but I want to. Is that still ok?

Of course. Buttered popcorn is awesome. The nice thing about preparing popcorn in an air fryer is that you get to choose. Don’t add the butter before it cooks though; that’ll mess up the air frying process.

Can I use microwave popcorn in the air fryer?

Not really. Microwave packets often come pre-flavored with oils that will cause them to burn in the air fryer.

Why did my popcorn burn?

You probably put too many kernels in the basket. Once popping stops for 2-3 seconds, go ahead and peek to see if it’s ready.

Serving Suggestions

The sky is the limit for serving popcorn. You can simply pour some into a bowl or bag and begin munching. Or, you can add various ingredients to amp up the flavor. Another option is to make some popcorn trail mix, adding nuts, chocolate chips, and granola.

How to Store

You can store leftover popcorn in a sealable container or plastic bag for up to a week at room temperature. Unfortunately, you can’t freeze popcorn; it’ll become soft and soggy.