Movie nights with popcorn are a weekly (sometimes more frequent) occurrence at my house. It's one of our favorite family activities and everyone enjoys fluffy popcorn with their favorite toppings to accompany the newest feature film. Plus, it's an easy snack that's naturally gluten free!
While microwave popcorn may be easy to make, it's nowhere near as delicious as homemade popcorn and making air fryer popcorn is a great alternative to cooking it on the stove. When you air fry popcorn, you can use less oil making it a healthier alternative to other salty snacks. The hot air circulating inside the air fryer makes it quick and easy to pop popcorn.
If you're looking for more delicious gluten free snacks for your next movie night, check out my cherry tomato salsa that goes great with corn chips or this yummy chocolate banana granola to cure your sweet tooth!
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Ingredient Notes
- Popcorn kernels - Unpopped kernels from your favorite brand - it doesn't matter which kind. I normally buy Orville Reddenbaker or Bob's Red Mill popcorn kernels.
- Cooking Oil - (optional). Any kind of cooking oil will work for this recipe - olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, coconut, etc. You can also use spray oil to reduce the amount of oil you use.
- Salt - I like to add a little salt during the popping time to get a head start on the seasoning.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Popcorn toppings suggestions:
My favorite seasonings are a bit of popcorn spray, salt and nutritional yeast, but here are some other ideas:
- Sea salt or flavored salts
- Melted butter or butter substitute
- Melted chocolate or chocolate chips
- Cinnamon sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Garlic powder
- Chili flakes
- Parmesan cheese (if you're not dairy free)
- Ranch seasoning
How to make popcorn in air fryer
- STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400F / 200C.
- STEP TWO: In a small bowl, mix together the kernels and oil until well coated.
- STEP THREE: Line your air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Add the prepared popcorn kernels in a single layer on the base of the air fryer basket. Sprinkle a little salt over the kernels.
- STEP FOUR: Place the basket into your air fryer and cook for 4 - 6 minutes. Cook the popcorn until you no longer hear any kernels popping. Don’t open the basket too soon as rogue kernels pop out and escape!
- STEP FIVE: Place the popped popcorn in a serving bowl and top with any additional desired toppings and serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- Preheat your air fryer – It is important to preheat your air fryer. The Air Fryer needs to be hot so that the kernels can start popping quickly, otherwise, you may end up with burnt kernels.
- Use the right amount of kernels – Having too many kernels for the size of your air fryer will result in too many un-popped kernels. If you have a big air fryer with more surface area, you can increase the number of kernels. For smaller air fryers, cook the popcorn in small batches rather than overload your air fryer.
- Season your popcorn afterward - When using an air fryer to make popcorn, it is best to add any desired seasoning or toppings after the cooking process.
Other air fryer recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Air Fryer Popcorn
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Popcorn Kernels
- 1 Tablespoon Oil olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, etc.
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F / 200C.
- In a small bowl, mix together the kernels and oil until well coated.¼ Cup Popcorn Kernels, 1 Tablespoon Oil
- Line your air fryer basket with foil and add the prepared popcorn kernels in a single layer. Sprinkle a bit of salt over the kernels.Salt
- Place the basket into your air fryer and cook for 4 - 6 minutes. Cook the popcorn until you no longer hear any kernels popping. Don’t open the basket too soon as rogue kernels pop out and escape!
- Place the popped popcorn in a serving bowl and top with any additional desired toppings and serve warm.
Notes
Popcorn toppings suggestions:
My favorite seasonings are a bit of popcorn spray, salt and nutritional yeast, but here are some other ideas:- Sea salt or flavored salts
- Melted butter or butter substitute
- Melted chocolate or chocolate chips
- Cinnamon sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Garlic powder
- Chili flakes
- Parmesan cheese (if you're not dairy free)
- Ranch seasoning
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
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