With more and more people becoming health-conscious, there’s a push for using less oil when cooking. Fried food is notorious for their cholesterol levels and calorie count, so it makes perfect sense that they’re avoided by those who want to eat better. This can explain why hot air cooking has been gaining lots of popularity lately. This cooking method offers a solid alternative to those who still want to enjoy crunchy and crispy food items sans the guilt.
With popcorn being one of the most enjoyable snacks out there, it would be a shame to avoid to altogether. Besides, it’s relatively healthy, especially when cooked without oil. And it’s perfectly possible to make popcorn without oil. Aside from a few traditional cooking techniques, you can also just get one of the best air popper available today and you’re good to go.
Don’t know where to start looking for a good hot air popcorn popper? We’ve listed down some of the most popular options below.
Product Reviews: The Most Popular Hot Air Popcorn Popper Today
Complete your movie nights with a guilt-free snack with the help of these small appliances:
Best Hot Air Popcorn Popper – Editor’s Pick
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1. Hamilton Beach 73400 Hot Air Popcorn Popper
Want something from a trusted manufacturer? The Hamilton Beach 73400 Hot Air Popcorn Popper is also a good choice. So even if you’re not sure yet about hot air cooking, you can still be guaranteed that you’re getting a reliable item.
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Features:
Design-wise, this item is quite similar to the Opolar item above. It generally works the same way as it also has a measuring scoop that doubles as a butter melting cup and a waterfall-style lid.
The most striking difference is in the controls. The previous item has an on and off switch while this one starts heating up the moment you plug it in. You’ll also need to unplug it to turn it off. Their styling is also notably different as the previous item looks more formal while the 73400 appears more whimsical.
What We Liked About This Product:
- This item is from a well-known brand.
- It’s very easy to use.
- It can make big batches of popcorn.
- It’s very easy to clean.
2. Presto 04868 Orville Redenbacher’s Fountain Hot Air Popper
If you want to go all-out retro, the Presto 04868 Orville Redenbacher’s Fountain Hot Air Popper would appeal greatly to you. It’s an adorable piece of appliance that will add more charm to any kitchen.
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Features:
With its mushroom shape and red coloring, this hot air popper is possibly one of the most eye-catching options in the market today. But it’s not just about the looks. Its design also makes good sense.
The elevated saucer serves as the cooking area. It’s used with a clear dome-shaped lid that doubles as a serving bowl. So once you’re done popping kernels, you just need to flip the appliance and you’re ready to serve a tasty snack.
Due to its design, it also offers effective popping. The kernels stay in the bowl so they get heated enough to pop. As a result, you can expect nearly 100% of your corn kernels to turn into popcorn.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It cooks nearly all of your kernels with ease.
- It doesn’t make a lot of mess.
- It’s easy to clean.
3. Egofine Popcorn Maker Machine
Another charming option for those who are after a themed hot air popper is the Egofine Popcorn Maker Machine. With its retro popcorn bucket design, it can be a cute addition to your kitchen.
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Features:
Despite its fun and nostalgic styling, this Egofine product has a very well-thought-out design. It actually works the same way as many of the items listed above as it also comes with a multipurpose scoop and waterfall-style lid. However, due to its small size, it’s not recommended that you put in a full scoop into this hot air popper.
What sets it apart from its competitors is its ETL certification. With this, you can be guaranteed that it’s well-constructed and is safe to use.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It’s very cute.
- You can switch it on and off which makes its operation simpler.
- It’s perfectly easy to use.
4. SWIGM HoLead Hot Air Popper
An alternative to the Egofine product above is the SWIGM HoLead Hot Air Popper. It sports the same vintage popcorn bucket design so it’s equally adorable and eye-catching.
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Features:
Often described as ‘cute’, this hot air popcorn popper will certainly add some charm into your kitchen. What lots of people didn’t expect from it is its great performance. Usually, when kitchen appliances are adorable, they’re all about the looks. This isn’t the case with this product, however.
Many were surprised by how efficient and effective its performance is. No kernel is left unpopped as its aluminum turbine chamber heats up evenly. As a result, the hot air it produces gets to really heat up the cooking chamber and deliver great results.
Another plus is that it comes in different colors. The Egofine item above is only available in red so that can be pretty limiting. As this item is available in 2 shades of pink, red, green, and yellow, you have more options to choose from and you can more easily match it with your kitchen interiors.
The only downside is that it’s pricier than the others on this list. If you don’t mind the price tag, however, this can be a great pick.
What We Liked About This Product:
- You have various colors to choose from.
- It’s very cute.
- It’s very easy to make popcorn with this kitchen appliance.
- It will fit on most counters without a fuss.
5. Hauture Popcorn Maker
Not too fond of quirky items for your modern kitchen? Then the Hauture Popcorn Maker is for you. Its sleek design already makes it look like it’s the best hot air popcorn popper but its performance confirms most people’s first impression.
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Features:
With its clean, mostly white styling, this popcorn maker is the polar opposite of the two recently mentioned items above. It looks ultra-modern and will look amazing next to juicers and other trendy kitchen appliances.
Despite having a sleeker body design, the engineering of this hot air popper is similar to the others listed above. It also has a cooking bowl and a chute-style lid that will keep the popcorn from shooting out of the appliance and will direct them towards the waiting bowl.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It’s easy to clean.
- It will look great in any modern kitchen.
- It runs quietly.
6. Nostalgia RHP310 8-Cup Hot Air Popcorn Maker
As its name suggests, the Nostalgia RHP310 8-Cup Hot Air Popcorn Maker will evoke some longing for the yesteryears because of its vintage design. With its vintage design, it can also serve as a decorative piece in your kitchen.
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Features:
Among all of the quirky options on this best popcorn maker list, the RHP310 might just be the sleekest. Its clean lines certainly give it a sharp look despite being themed. This makes it rather interesting and quite different as well.
Another similarity it shares with the other items listed above is its engineering. The main difference it has is that it has a measuring cap and not a scoop. The red part on top of the cover is removable and has a small handle. It’s not a scoop but it still functions as a measuring tool and a quick access point to the cooking compartment.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It’s one of the cutest among the quirky options on this list.
- It’s very easy to operate.
- It’s very affordable.
7. West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper Machine
Offering another way to make popcorn is the West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper Machine. This product uses an entirely different cooking technique, so if you’re not too fond of the ones used above, this can be a solid choice for you.
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Features:
With a bowl design, the West Bend Stir Crazy doesn’t exactly function the same way as the other popcorn makers mentioned above. While it still mainly uses hot air to pop the kernels, it’s still very different as it also has a heating plate to generate the heat inside this cooking appliance.
Unlike the other products mentioned above, you can also opt to use oil in this device. In fact, it’s recommended. You can’t add other ingredients in the hot air poppers above, so if you still want to add oil or butter in your snack, this can be a great plus.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It’s very easy to store.
- It whips up a large batch without too much fuss.
- Its dome-shaped cover works as a serving bowl as well.
- It has dishwasher-safe parts that help make cleanups simpler.
- You can opt to use oil in this hot air popcorn popper.
8. Victorio PopAir Electric Hot Air Popcorn Popper
The Victorio PopAir Electric Hot Air Popcorn Popper is another modern-looking pick that you can go for. Combined with its small footprint, it can be a great addition to any kitchen.
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Features:
While its features aren’t necessarily different from the other upright popcorn popper listed above, this appliance is still worth looking into for its cool-touch body. If you want to ensure that you’ll only equip your kitchen with the safest small appliances, this would be a good match for you. Its body doesn’t get too hot like others’ so you don’t have to worry about your little ones being near it.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It heats up and cooks popcorn quickly.
- It’s very easy to operate.
- Its body does not get hot while cooking.
9. Homdox Hot Air Popcorn Popper
Rounding off this list is the Homdox Hot Air Popcorn Popper. It’s another modern option for those who want to keep their kitchens looking sleek and contemporary.
Features:
For ultra-modern kitchens with all-black coloring, adding new pieces can be tricky. However, the Homdox Hot Air Popcorn Popper might be a great pick with its all-black coloring with transparent details.
It’s very easy to use as it’s engineered the same way as the other hot air poppers mentioned above. With its versatile scoop and easy-to-dismantle design, it’s also very easy to use and clean.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It looks like a premium kitchen appliance.
- It’s very easy to use.
- It works quietly.
10. OPOLAR Fast Hot Air Popcorn Popper Machine
Starting off our list is the Opolar Fast Hot Air Popcorn Popper Machine. It looks like a regular modern small kitchen appliance so it can easily blend into your interiors but its performance will pretty much blow you away.
Features:
While its physical appearance isn’t very unique or fun, this item has a very functional design and that makes it worth looking into. It mostly resembles a coffee maker or an electric mixer except it doesn’t come with the attachments needed for making coffee or mixing. It has a well-thought-out design, however, so it’s still quite impressive.
The most notable thing about its design is the fact that nearly everything you need is attached to the main unit. It comes with a scoop that will let you add in the right amount of kernels into the cooking bowl. This scoop is designed to sit on the popper’s cover, right on top of the cooking bowl. So it doesn’t just function as a scoop but it’s also a lid that makes accessing the cooking bowl easier.
The lid itself is also notable. It’s designed to have a waterfall effect so it keeps the kernels from shooting away from the appliance and pushes the kernels downwards.
The only thing it doesn’t come with is a bowl for cooked popcorn but that’s already very easy to remedy. Any large bowl can do the trick, really, as the underside opening of the bowl is pretty huge.
How do you cook with this appliance? It’s really easy. You just need to flip the switch and wait for the popcorn to come out.
What We Liked About This Product:
- It’s very easy to use.
- It has a very nice appearance.
- Cleanups are easy.
- It’s made of BPA-free materials.
Conclusion
As our list above shows, you have tons of options when it comes to the best popcorn popper. With their great similarities, it shouldn’t be that hard to choose. If you know what you want and what will work great in your kitchen, you can be sure to make the right decision.
