Best Air Fryers for Popcorn 2023

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If you haven’t got much time and are just looking for the best air fryer to pop your kernels in, this is the one for you (if you have more time, keep reading!)

Our Pick
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
$59.99

The Perfect Air Fryer for Popcorn Easy to use! Easy to Clean! And with a large basket you can make a good amount of popcorn in one go.

Why:
  • Easy to use!
  • Easy to clean!
  • 4 quart basket
  • It goes up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
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10/29/2024 12:51 pm GMT

Things to Keep in Mind

When choosing an air fryer for popcorn, there are a few critical things to consider.

  • Size of the air fryer basket – make sure that the basket is large enough to accommodate the amount of popcorn
  • Temperature range – Popcorn requires a high temperature to pop correctly
  • Power – Higher wattage = quicker popcorn
  • Air Circulation – Good air circulation is important for evenly cooking the popcorn and ensuring it pops thoroughly.
  • Easy to Clean – Look for removable and dishwasher-safe parts or non-stick coatings that make cleaning hassle-free.
  • Safety Features – Ensure that the air fryer has safety features such as an automatic shut-off function or a cool-touch exterior to prevent accidents while handling or during cooking.

After researching several air fryers, we have identified the top five air fryers for popcorn. These air fryers have a large enough basket to accommodate popcorn, can reach the required temperature, and are easy to use.

Best Air Fryers for Popcorn

We all love popcorn, but it’s not always the healthiest snack. That’s where air fryers come in! With the right air fryer, you can make delicious, crispy popcorn without all the added oil and calories. After thorough research here are our favorite popcorn-making air fryers.

Top Pick!
Ninja Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Reheats, & Dehydrates, 4-in-1, Fries, Frozen Food, Veggies, and Juicy Meat, Less Oil, Easy Meals, Healthy Meals, Compact, 4 QT, Grey, AF101
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets, Match Cook & Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate & More for Quick, Easy Meals, Grey
Best Value!
CHEFMAN Air Fryer Healthy Cooking, 4.5 Qt,User Friendly and Dual Control Temperature, Nonstick Stainless Steel, Dishwasher Safe Basket, w/ 60 Minute Timer & Auto Shutoff
COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact 5-Qt, Perect for Meat Enthusiasts with 450°F Max Heat Function, 130+ In-App Recipes, Little to No Oil, Easy Clean Glass Touch Panel & Nonstick Basket, Gray
Chefman Digital Air Fryer, Large 5 Qt Family Size, One Touch Digital Control Presets, French Fries, Chicken, Meat, Fish, Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Parts, Automatic Shutoff, Black
Air Fryer
Ninja AF101
Ninja DZ201
Chefman Air Fryer
Cosori Air Fryer Pro
Chefman Digital Air Fryer
Capacity
4 Quarts
8 Quarts
4.5 Quarts
5 Quarts
5 Quarts
Power (watts)
1550
1500
1200
1500
1500
Dishwasher Safe Parts
Top Pick!
Ninja Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Reheats, & Dehydrates, 4-in-1, Fries, Frozen Food, Veggies, and Juicy Meat, Less Oil, Easy Meals, Healthy Meals, Compact, 4 QT, Grey, AF101
Air Fryer
Ninja AF101
Capacity
4 Quarts
Power (watts)
1550
Dishwasher Safe Parts
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets, Match Cook & Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate & More for Quick, Easy Meals, Grey
Air Fryer
Ninja DZ201
Capacity
8 Quarts
Power (watts)
1500
Dishwasher Safe Parts
Best Value!
CHEFMAN Air Fryer Healthy Cooking, 4.5 Qt,User Friendly and Dual Control Temperature, Nonstick Stainless Steel, Dishwasher Safe Basket, w/ 60 Minute Timer & Auto Shutoff
Air Fryer
Chefman Air Fryer
Capacity
4.5 Quarts
Power (watts)
1200
Dishwasher Safe Parts
COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact 5-Qt, Perect for Meat Enthusiasts with 450°F Max Heat Function, 130+ In-App Recipes, Little to No Oil, Easy Clean Glass Touch Panel & Nonstick Basket, Gray
Air Fryer
Cosori Air Fryer Pro
Capacity
5 Quarts
Power (watts)
1500
Dishwasher Safe Parts
Chefman Digital Air Fryer, Large 5 Qt Family Size, One Touch Digital Control Presets, French Fries, Chicken, Meat, Fish, Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Parts, Automatic Shutoff, Black
Air Fryer
Chefman Digital Air Fryer
Capacity
5 Quarts
Power (watts)
1500
Dishwasher Safe Parts

Last update on 2024-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer

A great choice for popcorn as with it’s 4 quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket you can pop a lot of popcorn in a single batch. With a temperature of up to 400 degrees it’s perfect for popcorn popping!

In addition to popcorn you can also create flat, chip-like dehydrated foods for fun, homemade snacks.

One downside to the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is that the unit will need time to preheat before coming up to the temperature required for popcorn.

Pros

  • Large 4 quart basket perfect for popcorn
  • Wide temperature range: 105 degree Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Dehydrate: Create flat, chip like dehydrated foods for fun, homemade snacks
  • Great price

Cons

  • The unit will need time to preheat before coming up to the temperature
  • The guidebook may not be very helpful
  • It is a bit bulky

Ninja DZ201 Foodi

If you’re looking for an air fryer that can cook two batches of popcorn at once and is easy to clean, the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer might be the perfect choice for you!

On the downside, the air fryer is quite heavy, weighing almost 18 pounds. This could be an issue if you need to move it around a lot.

Some users have also reported that the air fryer can be difficult to operate, with confusing controls.

Pros

  • The dual-zone technology lets you cook two different foods (or two batches of popcorn!) simultaneously, saving you time and hassle.
  • The 8-quart capacity is perfect for cooking family meals or large batches of popcorn!.
  • Easy to clean, with dishwasher-safe baskets and crisper plates.

Cons

  • Heavy, weighing almost 18 pounds.
  • Can be difficult to operate, with confusing controls.
  • Quite expensive

Chefman Air Fryer

This air fryer is perfect for people on a budget. It has a high enough temperature to create some tasty popcorn and is easy to clean.

The downside is that because of it’s low price tag it’s not built quite as well as some of the other air fryers available.

If you’re looking for a budget way to cook your popcorn, the Chefman Air Fryer Healthy Cooking is a great option.

Pros

  • The digital display makes it easy to monitor cook times and ensures evenly cooked popcorn with the LED shake reminder.
  • The basket is dishwasher safe
  • Temperature range from 200-400 F making it ideal for popcorn

Cons

  • Insert tray has little silicone pads that attach to each of the 4 sides – but not well.
  • The build quality isn’t great
  • The light bulb may need to be replaced after a short time.

COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt

The great thing about making popcorn with this air fryer is that it won’t disturb you! The patented AirWhisper™ Technology keeps noise levels under 55dB (pretty quiet!)

It’s easy to clean, comes with a cookbook, and has a stylish design that fits perfectly on the countertop.

On the downside, it does lack some basic features like a timer, digital display, and auto shut-off.

Pros

  • Large and fast (perfect for popcorn)
  • Compact design
  • Easy to clean non-stick basket

Cons

  • No digital display
  • No automatic shut-off
  • No timer

Chefman Digital Air Fryer

If you’re looking for a versatile air fryer that can cook up crispy popcorn without the calories, then the Chefman Digital 5-Quart Air Fryer is a great option for you.

The LED shake reminder ensures that your popcorn is evenly popped every time.

Unfortunately, it is a little bulky, and the cooking tray has to be washed by hand.

Pros

  • One-touch cooking functions make it ideal for cooking more than just popcorn
  • Built-in LED shake reminder (best feature for popcorn lovers!)
  • Large 5-quart capacity

Cons

  • A bit bulky and may take up too much space
  • Cooking tray is not dishwasher-safe
  • Customer service can be hit-and-miss

One to Avoid!

This air fryer is quite good however, it’s not built to last, with many people complaining that it fails in the 5th month:

CUSIMAX Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Fails within 5 months!

Looks good on paper, and starts off well, but can fail after just 5 months

  • Users report product failure after 5 months
  • Very Smoky
  • Best avoided unless you like returning products

Buying Guide

When it comes to choosing the best air fryer for popcorn, there are a few things to consider. Here are some features to look for:

Capacity

The first thing to consider is the capacity of the air fryer. If you plan on making popcorn for a large group of people, you’ll want an air fryer with a larger capacity. On the other hand, if you’re only making popcorn for yourself or a small group, a smaller air fryer will do the trick.

Power

The power of the air fryer is also important. A higher-wattage air fryer can cook popcorn faster and more evenly. Look for an air fryer with at least 1500 watts of power.

Temperature Control

Temperature control is another essential feature to consider. Some air fryers have preset temperature settings, while others allow you to set the temperature manually. Look for an air fryer with a temperature range of at least 200-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Timer

A timer is also a useful feature to have. Look for an air fryer with a timer that can be set for at least 30 minutes. This will allow you to set the timer and walk away, without having to worry about burning your popcorn.

Accessories

Finally, consider the accessories that come with the air fryer. Some air fryers come with a popcorn maker attachment, which can make popping popcorn even easier. Other accessories, such as cooking racks and skewers, can also be useful for cooking other foods in your air fryer.

When choosing the best air fryer for popcorn, look for a model with a large capacity, high power, temperature control, a timer, and useful accessories. By considering these features, you’ll be able to find an air fryer that will make delicious, perfectly cooked popcorn every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you pop popcorn in an air fryer without oil?

Yes, you can pop popcorn in an air fryer without oil. Air fryers use hot air to cook food, so you don’t need oil to get the popcorn kernels to pop. However, adding a small amount of oil can help the popcorn kernels pop more evenly and give them a better flavor.

Can you make microwavable popcorn in an air fryer?

No, you should not make microwavable popcorn in an air fryer. Microwavable popcorn is designed to be cooked in a microwave, not an air fryer. The packaging and instructions are not meant for air frying, and attempting to cook microwavable popcorn in an air fryer can be dangerous.

How to make popcorn in air fryer?

To make popcorn in an air fryer take a look at this article.

Can a Ninja air fryer pop popcorn?

Yes, a Ninja air fryer can pop popcorn. The process is the same as with any other air fryer. Follow the steps listed above to make popcorn in a Ninja air fryer.

How do you make the best popcorn in an air popper?

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
2. Spread the popcorn out in a single layer on the air fryer basket.
3. Cook the popcorn for 2-3 minutes, or until it is crispy.
4. Remove the basket from the air fryer and transfer the popcorn to a bowl.
5. Season the popcorn with salt or other seasonings, if desired.

Final thoughts 💭

An Air Fryer is a great way to make popcorn. By choosing one of our recommended products and ordering from Amazon you’ll be popping your kernels in no time.

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