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    Home » Recipe Index » Snacks

    Air Fryer Popcorn for One

    February 10, 2023 Updated February 27, 2023 By Rebecca 30 Minute Meals, Snacks

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    dark blue bowl full of popcorn with popcorn kernels in back

    In just 15 minutes, you can have fresh air fryer popcorn for an easy snack for one. You'll need an air fryer, maybe foil, popcorn, and toppings and you've got a delicious easy snack. No more microwave popcorn stinking up your microwave.

    dark blue bowl full of popcorn with popcorn kernels in back

    Table of contents

    • How will this popcorn make your life easier?
    • Other great snack recipes
    • What makes popcorn in airfryer so good?
    • How do I make popcorn in an air fryer?
    • How to cook popcorn if you don't have an air fryer
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ

    How will this popcorn make your life easier?

    This easy air fryer popcorn with no oil is a great snack if you have a few minutes to wait. It does take about 15 minutes, but you really do just have to set it and forget it. And stay nearby to smell for any burning kernels.

    This popcorn recipe is nice because all you need is an Air Fryer, foil (if the kernels fall below the tray), and popcorn. Add your favorite toppings afterward and you've got a light snack.

    I like making popcorn in an air fryer because I don't need additional equipment, like a full air popper for popcorn. In addition to making it in an air fryer, I like to make microwave popcorn in a large Stasher bag. It's easy to clean and zero waste.

    Other great snack recipes

    • Chocolate Covered Popcorn
    • Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Dip
    • Protein Balls with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips
    • Blueberry Chocolate Muffins
    • Pickled Dill Carrots
    • Banana Blueberry Muffins

    What makes popcorn in airfryer so good?

    small bowl of popcorn kernels

    How do I make popcorn in an air fryer?

    couple popcorn kernels in air fryer basket

    Before you start making air fryer popcorn, test whether you need to add foil to contain the popcorn kernels: place 2-3 kernels on the basket tray, gently shake it. If they fall through the grates, cover the tray with foil. Don't cover basket sides.

    air fryer basket with popcorn kernels in it

    Add kernels and cook for 6-9 minutes, check 1-2 times if needed, and stay close to remove basket if it starts to smell like something is burning. Near the end of the cooking time, if you don't hear any popping, check your popcorn.

    air fryer basket full of popcorn

    Your air fryer popcorn will be less likely to burn if you remove already popped kernels. I like to use a large serving spoon or slotted spoon to remove the popcorn.

    hands stirring popcorn in a bowl

    Quickly add toppings to your popcorn, such as salt and melted butter (use melted, I've tried thin slices that don't melt well). You can also sprinkle seasoned salt, nutritional yeast, cheese powder, ranch dressing mix, etc to your hot popcorn.

    How to cook popcorn if you don't have an air fryer

    To be completely honest, I like making popcorn in the microwave in a large or standing Stasher bag. It's all contained, much faster, and you can add toppings directly to the bag and shake it. Both work, it just depends on what equipment you have and time.

    Here's the recipe to use a Stasher bag. You can just use 2 tablespoons like in this air fryer popcorn recipe, and only add oil/toppings after it's been popped. Stasher bags are AWESOME. You can also use an air popper, but it's a tool that only does one thing.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • You can double or triple the recipe. I think 3 servings of this air fryer popcorn recipe would fit in my small air fryer, adjust to fit the size of yours.
    • I've tested this recipe by spraying the kernels with cooking spray and not spraying them, they taste the same. No need to waste your cooking spray. Just add all seasonings after cooking it.
    • Other great add-ins: Cooking spray, melted butter, salt, seasoning salt, nutritional yeast, cheesy powder, ranch powder, garlic salt, chocolate, m&ms, etc.

    FAQ

    Is air fryer popcorn healthy?

    I don't like to focus on whether or not foods are healthy, it can easily turn to being overly focused on certain foods. Although, this snack is a good source of fiber, and can be enjoyed in lots of different ways.

    Do air fryers pop popcorn?

    Yes, you can pop popcorn in an air fryer. Cover the bottom tray with foil if the grates are too big for popcorn kernels. My favorite ways to make popcorn are in a Stasher bag or in an air fryer.

    Can you put bagged popcorn in air fryer?

    Usually, you don't add seasonings to popcorn before popping it in an air fryer, the seasonings may damage your air fryer as the popcorn pops. I wouldn't recommend it. Just use regular popcorn kernels.

    popcorn in dark blue bowl with ingredients around

    Did you make Air Fryer popcorn? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    dark blue bowl of popcorn on yellow towel
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Air Fryer Popcorn for One

    In just 15 minutes, you can have fresh Air Fryer popcorn for an easy snack for one. You'll need an Air Fryer, maybe foil, popcorn and toppings and you've got a delicious easy snack. No more microwave popcorn stinking up your microwave.
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 2 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour 8 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 2 cups
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Foil optional
    • Large Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons popcorn kernels ⅛ cup
    • preferred toppings see notes for suggestions

    Instructions

    • Add a couple kernels to your basket, shake it. If kernels fall through the bottom, line bottom tray only with foil. If they don't fall through, no need to line your basket tray.
    • Add 2 Tablespoons (or ⅛ cup) popcorn kernels to air fryer basket. Slide into machine. Cook for 7-9 minutes at 400 degrees.
    • If you are available, I recommend taking out the basket and spooning out the already popped popcorn after about 4-5 minutes. You can start to season it here.
    • Continue to cook kernels until they stop popping, about 7-9 minutes total.
    • Pour popcorn into medium sized mixing bowl, add toppings and mix well to combine. This recipe makes about 1 ½ cup popcorn.

    Video

    EASY AIR FRYER POPCORN

    Notes

    • Make sure to line basket bottom with foil if grates are too large for kernels, they won't pop well if they're under the tray.
    • You can preheat the air fryer, but I didn't notice a difference between it and not preheating it. You're just going to cook it a minute or a couple more than if you were to preheat it.
    • No need to add cooking spray or oil before cooking, I tested it both way and you don't taste a difference. Add all toppings/seasonings after.
    • Remove popped popcorn from basket every few minutes, to prevent it from burning.
    • Topping options: Cooking spray, melted butter, salt, seasoning salt, nutritional yeast, cheesy powder, ranch powder, garlic salt, chocolate, m&ms, etc.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like air fryer popcorn delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Snacks

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    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea says

      February 10, 2023 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      What a fantastic, quick and easy snack.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm

        exactly!

        Reply
    2. Vicky says

      February 10, 2023 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love to have popcorn every night when I watch tv. However, I don't want a big buttery mess. I love how this popcorn can be healthy and delicious. I would have never thought to use an air fryer to make it.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm

        yes it so easy! you can add whatever you want to it

        Reply
    3. Sharon says

      February 10, 2023 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      I had no idea that making popcorn in the air fryer was so easy! The perfect snack for one.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm

        totally! enjoy

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      February 10, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      I never would have thought to make popcorn in an air fryer! What a great idea. Love the recipe!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 13, 2023 at 5:02 pm

        yes! it's so easy and tasty

        Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm

        yes! it's so easy

        Reply
    5. Colleen says

      February 10, 2023 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      Another great use of my air fryer. Such an easy way to make popcorn. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm

        right?! I'm always looking for more ways to use it too

        Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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