Summer means fresh sweet corn is in season!
There’s no better way to enjoy it than by basting it with butter until it’s perfectly charred over the grill.
And that’s what we’re going to do with the air fryer corn on the cob recipe. We’re going to keep things simple. As a matter of fact you’ll only need three ingredients to make those juicy golden kernel bursts with its natural sweetness.
It doesn’t get any simpler than that!
I originally planned on making an elotes version of corn on the cob. However, since it’s a recipe on its own, we’ll save it for our next installment of air fryer corn recipes.
If you prefer to grill your corn on the cob with the husk on or wrapped in aluminum foil, I have also prepared a guide for you below. The cooking time is only slightly different, requiring an additional 2-4 minutes to account for indirect cooking.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
Here are the ingredients you need to make air-fried corn on the cob.
- Fresh corn ears
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper (optional)
The most important thing is to get the best and freshest corn. Since it’s summer it’s easy to source corn with the husk still intact.
Some people also enjoy their corn on the cob with mayonnaise. If that’s your vibe, feel free to add a tablespoon of mayonnaise for each sweet corn.
Recipe Video
How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer?
Making air fryer corn on the cob is quick and easy. Here are five simple steps to get your humble corn to the most beautiful thing in the world (if you know what I mean) in under 15 minutes.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: If you’re using a compact countertop convection oven like our Ninja Foodi 4-Quart Basket Air Fryer, it is recommended to reduce the cooking temperature by 20°F or decrease the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Smaller air fryers tend to cook faster and hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Get the corn ready.
After removing the husk, stem, and silk, wash your corn thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
If you prefer to keep the husk on your corn or if you like to wrap it in aluminum foil, continue scrolling.
Step 3: Melt the butter and prepare your grilling accessories.
Microwave your butter at 30% power in 5-second increments, mixing in between. Repeat the process until the butter is soft enough to be brushed.
Step 4: Air fry corn on the cob for 12-15 minutes.
Carefully add the corn on the cob to the preheated air fryer and roast them for about 12-15 minutes, turning them halfway through. Brush them with the softened butter twice and cook until the corn kernels turn golden and slightly browned.
If you prefer your corns more charred add 2-4 minutes to your cooking time.
✦ I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy your air fried corn on the cob!
Once your corn on the cob is done cooking, apply more butter and sprinkle them with a little bit of salt before serving. Enjoy!
You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or sprinkle it with herbs like cilantro or parsley for added freshness.
Oh, how about coating it with mayonnaise?
Corn on the cob is great on its own, but it’s also a classic side dish that pairs well with barbecue, seafood, and summer salads.
Cooking Corn on the Cob with Husk
If you prefer to enjoy the corn in its simplest form without adding oil or butter, cooking it with the husk on is the way to go. Corn is generally sweet and it will taste great without any additional ingredients.
On top of that, this method is probably the healthiest way to air fry corn on the cob, as it eliminates the need for added butter which can contain around 100 calories per tablespoon.
To begin, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Then, place the corn on the cob (with the husk intact) in the air fryer and cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Cook until the corn kernels turn bright yellow and tender.
Cooking Corn on the Cob with Foil
To air fry corn on the cob with foil, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Meanwhile, place the corn on top of a sheet of aluminum foil, brush it with melted butter, and sprinkle it with salt.
Wrap the corn in the foil, ensuring it is fully covered, and air fry for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. After cooking, carefully unwrap the foil to expose the kernels when the corn kernels turn bright yellow and become slightly opaque.
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: The best way to freeze corn on the cob is to blanch them for 3-4 minutes, give them an ice bath, pat them dry, and place them in a zip-top bag. This technique will extend the shelf life of your corn for about 8-12 months.
Fridge: Air-fried corn on the cob, along with other cooking methods, is best consumed on the same day. While you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days, it may not retain the same taste and freshness.
Reheating: To reheat your air-fried corn on the cob, preheat your compact convection oven to 360°F (182°C) and roast the corn for 3-4 minutes on each side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can definitely air fry corn on the cob. It’s a delicious and convenient method to achieve perfectly roasted corn without the need to use a grill.
The typical cooking time for air frying corn on the cob is around 12-15 minutes, but it may vary based on factors like size and thickness. Ensure to flip the corn halfway through cooking for even browning. Adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your preferred level of tenderness and char.
To air fry corn on the cob, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). If desired, you can remove the husks and silk from the corn, or leave them intact for a different cooking method. Lightly brush the corn with oil or melted butter, and season with salt and pepper or any other desired spices. Place the corn in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry the corn for about 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The corn is ready when it becomes tender and has a slight char. Serve hot with your favorite toppings or enjoy it as is.
On average, a medium-sized ear of corn (approximately 6-7 inches long) contains around 77-123 calories without added oil and seasonings. A tablespoon of butter is about 100 calories.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 corn ears fresh
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- â…› salt or to taste
- 1/16 pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Get the corn ready by removing the husk, silk and washing the corn ears.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and have a basting brush and a pair of tongs ready.
- Air fry corn on the cob for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Apply melted butter twice: after adding the corn and after flipping them. Cook until the kernels are tender and lightly browned. If you desire more browning, you can extend the cooking time by an additional 2-4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy your air fryer corn on the cob! Brush with more butter, then sprinkle with a little bit of salt (and pepper) as desired.
Recipe Video
Notes
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- To soften your butter, microwave it at 30% power in 5-second increments, mixing in between. Continue this process until it reaches the desired softness.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test the air fryer corn on the cob recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
Share or save this recipe for later:
Have you tried air frying corn on the cob?
Leave us a note, and give this recipe a star rating. Good or bad, we appreciate your opinion. Let’s improve this air fryer recipe as a community!
Are you on Instagram? Share your photo and tag us at @fryitco. We can’t wait to see what you’ve made!
Or you can also subscribe to our Youtube Channel. We’re constantly uploading easy and tasty air fryer recipe videos, ASMR style.
You can also find us on Facebook & Tiktok 🙂. See you there!
Thank you for your support!
Web Story
