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Try our Air Fryer Corn on the Cob recipe for flavorful, sweet, tender corn on the cob – without fail. Cooking corn on the cob is now easier than ever.
Featured with this Recipe
Freshly picked corn on the cob is a late summer, early fall favorite. If you grow your own, or can find it locally at a farm stand or farmer’s market, it’s even better. Corn is a delicious easy side dish that goes well with chicken, beef, pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, and just about anything grilled.
Why Cook Corn on the Cob in an Air Fryer?
We already have two great ways to cook corn on the cob: On the grill and boiled on the stove. Why another method? I can’t tell you that it is faster to cook corn on the cob in the Air Fryer, because it isn’t, it still takes about 13 minutes. However, there are some other advantages to air frying:
- First of all, it tastes so good! The corn is so flavorful. Have you ever noticed how the water turns a little yellow when you boil corn on the cob? All of that color and flavor stays in the corn and isn’t boiled out into the water.
- The corn is easier to butter and season. Because it’s not boiled, there isn’t excess water on the corn that dilutes the butter and seasonings. The corn is perfectly cooked and perfectly dry.
- Each corn kernel is cooked evenly and comes out tender and juicy every time.
- It’s less messy. The shucked, clean corn goes into the Air Fryer, you turn it on, and it comes out perfectly cooked and ready to go. No pans or strainers to clean, and no hot, steamy water to dump down the sink.
- If you are cooking for 1 to 3 people, it is ideal. In my smaller Air Fryer, I can cook 3 cobs of corn. In a larger Air Fryer basket, you can cook 4 cobs at a time.
Recipe Tips
- When removing the husks and preparing the corn to cook, remove as many of the corn silk threads as you can. This makes the corn much easier to eat. Also, use a sharp knife to trim ends that are inedible.
- If you prefer cutting the longer cobs in half for easier serving and eating – especially for kids – use your hands to break the cob in half, BEFORE cooking the corn. The corn will naturally break without crushing any kernels in the center. It’s almost impossible to not crush kernels when you cut a cob in half with a knife.
- When placing cobs in the Air Fryer tray, make sure they are evenly spaced and not touching. To cook evenly, the air needs to flow freely around each cob.
- Serve corn on the cob with skewers for easier seasoning and eating. They help keep hands clean and free from burning when touching hot corn. A separate tray for the corn on your plate is also a nice idea.
- For a different flavor, try mixing mayo and sour cream and brushing it onto your corn. Then sprinkle with parmesan cheese and a little garlic powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brush vegetable oil on the corn before placing it in the fryer. You’ll get a crispier, more charred look and flavor.
Just pop your leftover corn into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes and your ears of corn will be ready to eat with some melted butter and kosher salt or whatever toppings you’d like to sprinkle on. Be sure to store leftover cooked corn in the fridge in a airtight container.
Yes, you can wrap the corn with it, but we like to cook it without aluminum foil so it gets a little more toasty.
READ NEXT: Our Best Air Fryer Recipes
More Corn on the Cob Recipes
As I said earlier, this recipe is great when serving just a few people. When you need to cook a bigger batch of corn, try our grilled corn on the cob recipe or our boiled corn on the cob recipe.
If you are feeling adventurous, check out our recipe for what we call “Nacho Libre Corn.” It is a Mexican Street Corn loaded with Cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro, and lime juice. If Mexican Street Corn off the cob is more your thing, we have a treat for you! Our Mexican Corn Cup in a Cup has all the same incredible flavors and is inspired by the treat at the Cozy Cone in Disney’s California Adventure. So good!
How to Make Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 3 pieces Corn on the Cob
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel corn and remove all the silky threads.
- Wash the corn thoroughly with cold water and pat dry.
- Preheat Air Fryer by cooking on high (empty) for 1 minute. Add corn. Make sure the cobs are evenly spaced and not touching. Cook at 400 degrees for 13 minutes.
- Turn corn over once halfway through the cooking process.
- Serve hot with butter, salt and pepper.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- When preparing the corn to cook, remove as many of the corn silk threads as you can. This makes the corn much easier to eat. Also, use a sharp knife to trim ends that are inedible.
- If you prefer cutting the longer cobs in half for easier serving and eating – especially for kids – use your hands to break the cob in half, BEFORE cooking the corn. The corn will naturally break without crushing any kernels in the center. It’s almost impossible to not crush kernels when you cut a cob in half with a knife.
- When placing cobs in the Air Fryer tray, make sure they are evenly spaced and not touching. To cook evenly, the air needs to flow freely around each cob.
- Serve corn on the cob with skewers for easier seasoning and eating. They help keep hands clean and free from burning when touching hot corn. A separate tray for the corn on your plate is also a nice idea.
- For a more roasted, charred, or grilled taste and look, brush vegetable oil on the corn before placing the corn in the air fryer.
Nutrition Information
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What a great idea as I have a garden full of corn and later plantings to last at least a month!
I don’t think I’ll ever go back to making corn on the cob another way now that I can make it in my air fryer.
We are loving all your air fryer recipes this summer. I now LOVE making corn in the air fryer. It’s so simple and mess free!