Tender roasted kernels in only 15 minutes, this air fryer corn on the cob recipe couldn’t be easier to make! No boiling water or firing up the grill necessary.
Why this recipe works
Making air fryer corn on the cob is the easiest, quickest way to cook up juicy sweet kernels without taking up precious space on the grill, oven, or stovetop. Other methods require soaking the corn, long cook times, and boiling water, whereas air fryer corn is done in 13-15 minutes with only a bit of oil and seasonings… It really doesn’t get easier than that.
I won’t lie, we love crockpot corn on the cob, and make it all the time. My husband also makes a mean grilled corn on the cob, but sometimes it’s more convenient to pop the corn into the air fryer. Especially when you want something quicker, with less effort involved. The circulating air somewhat caramelizes the kernels, keeping all the natural sweetness locked in so you don’t lose any flavor in the process.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CORN – You’ll want the husk and the silks removed before popping the corn into the air fryer. For convenience, you can purchase fresh corn on the cob that has already been husked and had the silks removed. Easy peasy. Feel free to slice the cobs in half if desired.
OIL – A small amount of olive oil helps keep the kernels juicy, promotes browning, and acts as a binder for the seasonings to stick to. The oil isn’t mandatory for air fryer corn on the cob, but I do recommend it! You either baste it on or use an olive oil spray.
SEASONINGS – Garlic salt and pepper are simple additions. You can, of course, season the corn cobs however you want or wait until they are cooked and simply top them with seasonings instead.
How to Make Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Remove husks and silks from corn.
- Mix oil and seasonings together and rub all over corn. Place corn in air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 370F for 13-15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Yes, you can use frozen corn instead of fresh! There’s no need to thaw the corn cobs first, simply pop them in the air fryer basket, add a bit of oil if desired, and cook at 380F for 13-15 minutes.
If you’d like to use butter, I would suggest waiting until after the corn cobs are cooked in the air fryer. Oil has a higher smoke point and can withstand the heat of the air fryer, whereas butter can easily scorch or burn. A small amount will not affect the flavor of the corn and you can still add butter to your heart’s desire afterwards. If you really wanted, you can omit the oil and cook the cobs as-is. Then, add butter at the end.
It isn’t necessary to preheat the air fryer when cooking corn on the cob. But, as an alternative, you can preheat the air fryer at 400F for 4 minutes while you are prepping the corn. Then air fry the corn at 370F for 7-8 minutes.
No, you don’t need foil when cooking corn in the air fryer. You want the corn exposed so the circulating heat can cook the kernels evenly. Leaving the corn unwrapped is what gives you that roasted corn flavor!
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer corn on the cob is an excellent base for however you like to normally serve your corn. Slice it off the cob for corn salad, serve it Mexican corn style with mayo, cojita cheese, and spices, or keep it classic with butter, salt, and chopped herbs. I especially love it with some herb butter!
This corn is the perfect side for summer mains like grilled chicken wings, BBQ bacon burgers, or carne asada.
More Corn Recipes
- Corn Salsa
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Crockpot Corn on the Cob
- Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad with Feta
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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 4 ears fresh corn husks and silks removed
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- garlic salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Do not crowd the air fryer basket. You should be able to comfortably fit 4 ears of corn in a regular sized air fryer basket. Work in batches if you are doubling the recipe.
- For convenience, you can purchase fresh corn on the cob that has already been husked and had the silks removed.
- Whether you cut the corn cobs in half or leave them whole is up to you. It does not change the cook time.
- You can use frozen corn instead of fresh if desired. There’s no need to thaw the corn cobs first, simply pop them in the air fryer basket, add a bit of oil (optional), and cook at 380F for 13-15 minutes.
Instructions
- Remove husks and silks from corn.4 ears fresh corn
- Mix oil and seasonings together and rub all over corn. Place corn in air fryer basket.1 Tablespoon olive oil, garlic salt, pepper
- Air fry at 370F for 13-15 minutes.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- It isn’t necessary to preheat the air fryer when cooking corn on the cob. But, as an alternative, you can preheat the air fryer at 400F for 4 minutes while you are prepping the corn. Then air fry the corn at 370F for 7-8 minutes.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
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