aiLabeling.aiLabelForImageAltText: Popcorn in a black bowl being seasoned with spices, next to wooden cutting boards.

Make Your Own Popcorn: In the Microwave or Air Fryer!

What's the perfect movie night without popcorn? With just a few ingredients, a little imagination, and a microwave or air fryer, you can easily make your own. We'll show you how it's done.

Why does popcorn pop?

Popcorn kernels consist of a hard shell and a soft, moist core made of starch. At around 365°F, the water turns into gas, the pressure builds, the shell bursts open, and the starch shoots out. It then cools down immediately and becomes the typical “popcorn foam.” This doesn't just work with corn, but also with other grains like quinoa, rice, or barley.

Popcorn on a red background, some of the popcorn in a striped cardboard container.

Homemade Popcorn – Instructions and Tips

You only need a few ingredients for DIY popcorn. Depending on whether you want to make sweet or savory popcorn, you'll need:

Popcorn kernels
Spices and/or sweeteners
A little oil
A heat-resistant container with a lid (for the microwave)

Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn is ready in three steps. This method is particularly suitable for small portions:

Step 1: Prepare and add ingredients
Pour popcorn kernels into the container (just enough to cover the bottom, as they will expand significantly). Place the lid on loosely—air needs to escape. To help seasonings/sugar stick better, mix them with the kernels and 1 tbsp of water beforehand.
Step 2: Make the popcorn
Set the microwave to Power Level 6 or 5 for about 7 minutes or Power Level 10 for 4 minutes. Stay near the appliance and listen for the popping: when there are more than two to three seconds between pops, the popcorn is ready.
Step 3: Perfect your popcorn
For even more flavor, sprinkle your finished popcorn with cinnamon, chili, or melted butter. You can also toss it in caramel sauce or mix it with nuts and chocolate candies for a delicious snack mix.

Black digital air fryer on a wooden table, with 190 °C displayed.

Air Fryer Popcorn

Making popcorn in an air fryer is similar to using a microwave. It's especially worthwhile to mix the kernels with a spice blend before popping. The rule of thumb is: mix 1 tbsp of fat (such as coconut oil or butter) with 1 tbsp of seasoning. Then, proceed as follows:

Line the bottom of the air fryer with parchment paper
Set the air fryer to 400 °F
Cook the popcorn for about eight minutes – listen for the popping sound!

Popcorn Hack: If your corn kernels are a bit old, store them for a few days in a container with a little water. This helps them absorb moisture so they can pop better. Don't wet them right before you're ready to cook.