Delicious Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

You may be wondering – can you air fry corn on the cob? The answer is yes! Here’s how to make this irresistible side dish by roasting it in the air fryer. Plus, we’re sharing delicious topping & seasoning ideas to take your corn on the cob to the next level.

How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer

Not only does roasting corn on the cob in the air fryer retain more nutrients compared to boiling, but you also get an added bonus of crispiness from using this method! Let’s get started and make this tasty vegetable.

Here’s what you’ll need

• 3 to 4 ears of sweet corn
• Olive oil
• Salt and black pepper (or other favorite seasonings – see more ideas)
• Butter

Ears of Corn: the size and shape of your air fryer will determine how many ears of corn you can roast at once. We have a 5-quart single basket air fryer, which has a round-shaped basket. It can fit 3 ears of corn at one time. If you have a larger air fryer or one with a square basket, you can probably fit 4+ pieces.

Olive Oil: we like to use olive oil when roasting vegetables in the air fryer. We save the butter as an optional topping to apply when the corn is served.

Salt and pepper: we kept this recipe basic (yet tasty!) and used classic salt and pepper. However, we have additional topping and seasoning ideas here.

Supplies

• Air fryer
• Basting brush or oil mister, optional
• Kitchen tongs
• Serving plate

We use the PowerXL 5qt Single Basket Air Fryer. It’s a great little appliance and fits 3 ears of corn. If you have a larger unit and/or one with a square basket, you can probably fit at least 4 ears.

A basting brush or oil mister is helpful in applying the oil without making a mess. And kitchen tongs are useful in removing the corn from the basket when it’s finished cooking and piping hot.

Recipe Instructions + Tips

Start by gathering all of the ingredients and supplies we’ve listed above.

How to Shuck Corn

Next, be sure to remove the corn husks. You can buy packages of corn at your local grocery store that are already shucked and ready to go. But if you have corn on the cob with husks on them, you’ll need to shuck them and remove the silk.

Begin by removing the thick green leaves on the outside of the husks. Then grab the top of half of the husks, including the silk, peel back all the way and remove and discard. Do the same to the other half of the corn husk.

Finally, remove any silk pieces left behind. (Tip: if you find they are hard to remove – use a soft brush under running water or a wet paper towel to remove them entirely.) Be sure to give the ears of corn a good rinse.

Next, apply olive oil to each piece. We find using a basting brush is an easy, less-mess way to do this. You could also use an olive oil spray or oil mister. Then place each ear into your air fryer basket.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then flip the corn and season the other side. Make sure to leave plenty of room around each piece of corn. Do not stack one on top of the other.

Place the basket in your air fryer. Then set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 12 to 18 minutes. After 12 minutes, check the corn for color and tenderness.

How to tell if corn on the cob is done? The corn will become a darker, more intense shade of yellow and the kernels will become tender. You can test the kernels with a fork or knife.

If needed, flip each piece and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until the corn is done to your liking. The longer you cook the corn, the more roasted brown kernels you’ll have. But be careful not to cook it too long, or the kernels can get tough and chewy.

Carefully remove the air fryer basket and use kitchen tongs to transfer the corn on the cob to a serving plate or dish.

Immediately serve with butter, so it melts beautifully. So delicious!

Topping & Seasoning Ideas

We do love the classic corn with butter, salt, and pepper, but there are so many other ways to dress up corn on the cob. Here are a few of our favorites.

Mexican Street Corn on the Cob

To make Mexican street corn in the air fryer, start by preparing the sweet corn according to the original recipe instructions. Then mix together equal parts of Mexican crema (or sour cream) and mayonnaise – then add minced garlic, lime juice, and ground chipotle pepper or smoked paprika. When you’re ready to serve the corn, spread each piece with the cream/mayo mixture and top with cotija cheese (feta or parmesan work too) and chopped cilantro.

Bacon Cheddar Corn on the Cob

When your corn on the cob is ready to serve (while it’s still plenty hot), top with bacon bits and freshly grated cheddar cheese. You can also mix it up with your favorite cheeses. Smoked cheddar, pepper jack, and Monterey Jack are all great options.

Parmesan Garlic Corn on the Cob

Follow the original recipe, but instead of salt and pepper, use a garlic, sea salt, and pepper blend. (Or sprinkle with finely chopped garlic.) Then right before serving, when it’s still piping hot, top with butter and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer

Yes, you can also make frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer. The cook time will vary slightly and will also depend on the size of the cobs. Many times, frozen corn on the cob comes in half cobs, but you can also buy full cobs. Use a basting brush or oil mister to apply olive oil and season with salt and pepper. For full pieces, air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes. For half cobs, air fry for 8 to 12 minutes at 400 degrees.

Cooking time note: frozen corn is normally blanched before freezing, making it partially cooked which is why it can take less time to air fry compared to fresh corn on the cob.

Reheating Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer

You can use the air fryer to reheat your corn on the cob as well. Air fry for about 5 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. If needed, continue to cook in 3-minute increments until the corn is heated to your liking.

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Summary

Corn on the cob is one of our favorite things to make in the air fryer because it requires so little prep and cooks quickly. Give this recipe a try next time you are looking for a quick and easy summer side dish!

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Delicious Air Fryer Corn on the Cob