Easiest Air Fryer Corn on the Cob (15 Minute Recipe)
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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is a quick, easy, and tasty side dish for any summer meal. Enjoy sweet, juicy kernels from roasted corn in the air fryer in just 15 minutes! This is my favorite way to cook fresh corn! Using your air fryer basket has never been easier.
This is the best way to make delicious corn. When you air fry corn, you’re doing what you can to get the best results without the stress of overcoming the kernels.
Cooking corn isn’t hard to do, but using the air fryer is one of those cooking methods that literally makes it a breeze.
You’ll have tender corn in a fraction of the time – and trust me when I say that this is a game changer when it comes to making the perfect side dish.
You might want to grab a few extra corn cobs at the grocery store or farmers market – because this air fryer corn recipe is going to be a huge hit!
Now is the time to cook up your sweet summer corn using the steps in the printable recipe card below.
The simple ingredients make this the perfect recipe and the perfect corn to snack on! It’s one of my favorite air fryer recipes that is always a good idea to make.
Add this easy air fryer corn to your meal planning radar!
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Fresh sweet corn is one of my favorite summer side dishes. It goes with almost anything whether that’s hot dogs on the grill or a Sunday pot roast.
And, while the traditional way to cook corn on the cob may be in a big pot of boiling water, there are so many other options — including air fryer corn on the cob!
Have you ever tried making corn on the cob in the oven? It’s prepped and ready to bake in just 10 minutes. It is utterly life-altering! You have to try it.
Crockpot corn on the cob is cooked right in your slow cooker without heating up the kitchen, while smoked ears have an extra layer of flavor.
Whether you making corn on the cob in the air fryer, or with one of these other methods, you’re guaranteed to love every bite of those sweet, juicy kernels!
How to Shuck Corn Quickly and Cleanly
- Remove the outer leaves. Continue peeling these away until just a single layer of pale green leaves remains over the ear of corn.
- Expose the kernels. Peel back just enough of the leaves and silks (the stringy bits) until you see the kernels at the top.
- Peel like a zipper. Grab the leaf and silks on one side firmly, then pull straight down in one firm tug.
When you reach the base, break them off. Continue until all have been removed. - Discard remaining silks. You can pick off any remaining silks by hand, or run each cob under the faucet while running your hand back and forth over the surface.
A light scrub with a vegetable brush can help too!
Tips for Making Roasted Corn in Air Fryer
- Prep ears properly. Once you’ve shucked the corn, break (or slice) off the “handle” at the base and trim any dried, shriveled kernels at the top.
- Butter evenly. This helps air fried corn on the cob to cook evenly. You can also swap melted butter with olive oil or butter-flavored cooking spray.
If you’re concerned about the kernels getting too crispy, give them a light spray of oil when you first put corn on the cob in the air fryer.
Then, brush the entire surface with butter about halfway through the cooking time. - Don’t forget to flip! This ensures that your air fryer corn on the cob gets crispy and roasted on all sides.
- Have a small basket? You can cut the cobs in half in order to fit them better. The cooking time for this fried corn on the cob recipe will remain the same.
Seasoning Ideas for Air Fried Corn on the Cob
We normally add butter and salt and pepper to our roasted corn in the air fryer. But, if you want a kick of flavor, you can try adding a little bit of cayenne pepper.
Spices and seasonings can be added with the butter, while sauces and spreads go on air fryer corn on the cob once cooked. Here are a few ideas you might want to try:
- Garlic, lime zest, and cilantro
- Butter and parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs like oregano or parsley
- Paprika, sea salt, and pepper
- Mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder for Mexican street corn
- Honey butter
- Cajun seasoning and butter
- Sour cream and chives
- Sriracha mayonnaise
- Maple butter and cilantro
Corn on the Cob in Air Fryer FAQ
While it is safe to use foil in your air fryer, your food won’t cook as well. Air frying works because the air circulates freely around the food to cook it.
Covering food will cause it to steam, and lining the crisper tray will block the holes.
Save the foil for the grill — you especially don’t need it for this fried corn on the cob recipe!
That will depend both on the size of your air fryer and how large the ears of corn are.
Don’t crowd the basket or lay the cobs on top of each other — there needs to be room for the hot air to circulate properly.
Most large-capacity air fryers can fit about 4 ears of corn, while smaller models may only be able to fit 1 or 2 — and they may need to be cut in half first.
If needed, make air fried corn on the cob in batches. It only takes a few minutes!
Absolutely! This fried corn on the cob recipe works just as well with fresh or frozen ears.
You may need to increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, but you shouldn’t need to make any other changes.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Air Fryer Recipes
Easiest Air Fryer Corn on the Cob (15 Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn, cleaned (husks and silks removed. Then rinsed and dried.)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, brush the corn with melted butter.
- Cook in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, until starting to brown.
- Flip the corn halfway through cook time and brush with more butter. If you want it a little more golden, cook it longer.
- Remove and brush with more butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2020, updated and republished July 2024
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
Another easy corn on the cob recipe! I never even thought about cooking it in the air fryer. SO GOOD!
The perfect summer side dish! This recipe is a keeper, and it couldn’t be simpler.
Hi Stella!
Glad you enjoyed our recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn