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In the time it takes to preheat your grill or boil a big pot of water, you can whip up a batch of easyย Air Fryer Corn on the Cob. Add butter and salt or other spices and sauces for a summery vegetable side dish that can be yours in 15 minutes or less.
Megganโs notes
Like any busy parent catering to a crowd of hungry kids, saving time while packing in nutrient-dense foods is key. Corn on the Cob is a summer favorite, and the kids enjoy eating it as much as I love making it.
The secret to the best corn on the cob is the corn you buy: look for farm-fresh ears and โlocalโ signage at your grocery store whenever possible. The flavor of peak-season sweet corn is tough to beat, and needs nothing more than a bit of melted butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to feel complete.
Whether youโre making a simple side dish, dressing it up with sauces and spices, or cutting corn off the cob for other corn recipes, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob gets the job done fast.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Corn:ย ย To prepare the corn cobs, remove the husk and any silky strands. If needed, trim the corn to fit in your air fryer basket.
- Olive oil: For coating the cobs to help them caramelize in the air fryer.
- Butter, salt, and pepper: For serving if you like it like that.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange the corn in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and rub to coat.
- Transfer the corn to the basket of an air fryer and arrange in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Leave enough space for air to circulate around the ears without overcrowding.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes or until the corn is tender-crisp but still bright yellow with caramelized pieces. Turn the ears of corn halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with butter and garnish with parsley, if desired.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield:ย This recipe will make 4 ears of corn.
- Storage:ย Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Butter lovers: Try a compound butter instead of plain butter.
- Mexican Street Corn: To make Elote that would make any Mexican proud, Coat your cob in lime juice, mayo, Cotija cheese, and Tajin or chili powder.
- Spices: Try Cajun Seasoning, Old Bay, Taco Seasoning, Lemon Pepper Seasoning, or Seasoned Salt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Corn is best enjoyed the day it is picked off the stalk, before the sugars have a chance to turn to starch. Unless you live very close to a farmer or grow it yourself, this is often a challenge, so just do your best to find the freshest cobs you can.
When shopping for corn, look for corn still in the husks. Ideally, these husks should be plump, green, and still moist, with fresh, light yellow silk. If you run your fingers along the cob below the stalk, they should feel tightly-packed and firm. Avoid corn that has dead, dull-looking kernels or any sign of pests or disease.
To maximize its fresh lifespan, keep corn in the husk. Even the husk needs to be protected from drying out, though, so I recommend wrapping the ears in a damp paper towel, and storing them in a produce bag in the coolest part of your refrigerator. Try not to leave the corn out on the counter overnight, and donโt throw it into the refrigerator without wrapping it first.
My tutorial about how to cut corn will walk you through it! Hereโs a summary: Using a chefโs knife, carefully slice along the length of the ear between the kernels and cob. Rotate the cob to get to the next section, and repeat until all the kernels are cut.
Put your corn to work
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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Equipment
Ingredientsย
Instructionsย
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange the corn in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and rub to coat.
- Transfer the corn to the basket of an air fryer and arrange in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Leave enough space for air to circulate around the ears without overcrowding.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes or until the corn is tender-crisp but still bright yellow with caramelized pieces. Turn the ears of corn halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with butter and garnish with parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Corn:ย To prepare the corn, remove the husk and any silky strands. If needed, trim the corn to fit in your air fryer basket.
- Yield:ย This recipe will make 4 ears of corn.
- Storage:ย Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.