Air fryer corn on the cob is a quick, easy and tasty way to roast fresh corn! It is the perfect recipe for warm summer days when summer veggies are fresh and plentiful.
Corn is one of the most recognizable vegetables of summer, but the last thing you want to do a hot summer day is heat up the house by having a big pot of water boiling on the stove. Instead make air fried corn for an simple side dish everyone will love.
Delicious corn is just minutes away using this air fryer method. When you air fry corn it stays juicy and tender all through roasting time.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Recipe
- It is fast and will be ready to eat in less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
- It has a roasted sweet flavor like you’d get from grilling.
- You can add any of your favorite seasoning to the ears as they air fry, like chili powder or garlic. Or just stick with salt and pepper.
- It is a mess free side dish.
The air fryer is fantastic at cooking veggies! Check out my posts on air fryer yellow squash and air fryer eggplant for more delicious summer sides.
Key Ingredients
Corn – Fresh corn is best, so local sweet corn is the way to go. I generally buy whatever the farm stand around the corner from my house is selling. When picking fresh ears of corn look for tassels that are brown and sticky, not dry. The husk should be bright great and cover the cob tightly.
Seasoning – I used olive oil, salt and pepper for seasoning. It is not absolutely necessary to use oil, but it does enhance the flavor. Just a little spritz of oil adds a lot of extra taste without a lot of calories.
How to Make Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer
1. Prep
Peel the husks back and move the tassels and silk. Trim the ears if needed to fit in your air fryer basket.
I have a 5.8 quart Cosori air fryer and I can fit 4 ears of corn in my basket. Once in a while a piece is too long to fit in the basket and needs to have a little bit of the end cut off.
If you have a smaller size or a round basket you might find it easiest to cut the ears in half so more fits in the basket. The cobs of corn should be in a single layer in the basket, don’t overlap it or stack it.
2. Season
I like to add a little olive oil to the ear of corn when air frying. Either brush the oil on with a pastry brush or use a spray bottle to spray a little oil.
Don’t use a commercial spray oil because the preservatives in them can damage the finish of the fryer basket. A simple spray bottle is inexpensive and easy to use.
I prefer not to use butter before it is cooked because the high cooking heat can cause the butter to smoke or burn. So I save the butter for serving with the cooked ears.
Then add seasoning to the corn. Use salt and pepper and add a little bit of garlic powder if you like.
3. Air Fry
Set the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. When the it finishes use tongs to flip over the ears and add a little more salt and pepper if you like.
If you don’t turn the it then it will end up more brown on the bottom. After you flip the it over cook at 400 degrees F for another 5 minutes.
Once the cooking time is up check for doneness by sticking a roasted corn kernel with a sharp knife or fork. If it goes in easily and is tender then it is done. If not add another 2 minutes of cook time and check it again.
Best Toppings
You can add lots of different toppings to sweet corn when you serve it. My family tends to stick with the tried and true basics and just use salt, butter and fresh herbs like basil or chives.
Here are some other additional flavors that can enhance your side dish.
- Pesto
- Compound butter like garlic herb butter
- Honey
- Parmesan cheese
- Chili pepper and Cotija cheese for a Mexican inspired side dish
How to Store
If you have leftovers you can store it the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I usually cut the kernels off the cob and use it in a salad or tacos. But you can also reheat it in the air fryer following the reheating instructions here.
Helpful Tips
- Preheating before cooking this vegetable is not necessary for most models.
- Make sure there is space between the ears so that air can circulate.
Find More Air Fryer Recipes!
FAQ
Reheating it is quick and easy. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F for 2 minutes, then add the cooked ears. Cook it at 350 F for 4 minutes until it is hot and tender.
If it is frozen it should be cooked at a slightly lower temperature for a slightly longer amount of time. So cook it at 380 degrees F for 12-15 minutes, flipping it over once.
In addition it is best to wait until you are flipping it over to add the oil and season with salt and pepper. The seasoning won’t stick well until it is partially thawed.
Browning is normal for roasted corn, not an indication it is burnt. Kernels will be brown on the top and bottom edges and sometimes in the middle too.
If you want it to be bright yellow then steaming it in boiling water or the microwave is probably your best cooking option.
Find More Summer Recipes
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 4 ears of fresh corn
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Peel the corn husks and remove the tassels and silk. Trim the ears if needed to fit in your air fryer basket. The corn should be in a single layer in the basket without overlapping or stacking.4 ears of fresh corn
- Brush or spray the corn with olive oil. Don’t use a commercial spray oil since it contains preservatives that can damage the coating on many air fryer baskets.2 teaspoons olive oil
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on the corn.1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Then use tongs to flip the corn. Add more oil and seasoning if you like.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for another 5 minutes. Check to see if the corn is done by sticking a kernel with a sharp knife or fork. If it goes in easily the corn is done. If not cook it for another 2 minutes and check again.
Notes
- Make sure there is space between the ears so that air can circulate.
- If the corn is frozen not fresh then cook it at 380 degrees F for 12-15 minutes, flipping it over once.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
my air fryer is not a basket type but rather one with racks (4) to it that one can actually rotate food on a spiket or pop corn in a rotating basket. would the recipe/times be the same?