GoKawiilPopcorn is one of my favorite fiber-ful snacks, and I typically make it on the stovetop in a pot with high-oleic sunflower oil. Yet, last time I went this route, I just so happened to glance over at my air fryer and wonder, "Can I pop popcorn in there with no oil, making it healthier?" When I searched online for the answer, I found mixed results: Some said yes, absolutely, while others cautioned against air fryer popcorn.
To get to the bottom of whether you can pop popcorn in an air fryer, I reached out to an air fryer manufacturer and professional chefs for a final, official answer.
Can you pop popcorn in an air fryer? I asked experts
I reached out to Ninja, makers of the Ninja Crispi, CNET’s pick for the best air fryer overall. While the air fryer is a versatile appliance that can even roast a whole chicken, it can’t pop popcorn -- yet.
Well, technically it can, but that doesn’t mean it should.
"At Ninja, we're always testing the boundaries of what our technology can do, and popcorn in an air fryer is something our culinary and product development teams have explored. However, we advise against trying to make popcorn in an air fryer,” a Ninja Kitchen representative tells CNET. “Air fryers circulate heat differently than traditional popcorn makers, which means kernels don't reach the sustained heat needed in the required time.”
Because popcorn is lightweight, Sharniquia White, chef and registered dietitian, explains that if you try to make it in an air fryer, it can fly up into the device’s heating element, get stuck near the fan, burn from uneven airflow and leave you with a frustrating amount of unpopped kernels. All cons, no pros.
Given the safety hazards and unsatisfying results, you’ll want to avoid using an air fryer for popcorn. At least until the technology catches up.
While air fryers such as the Ninja Crispi Pro can roast an entire chicken, they can't pop popcorn just yet. Ninja
The best way to make popcorn, per professional chefs
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