This air fryer corn on the cob is one of my favorite air fryer recipes. It’s made with fresh sweet summer corn, butter, and salt and cooks up perfectly crisp and sweet. This simple side dish tastes great by itself or with your favorite main dish.
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This post is part of my beginning air fryer recipes series. Stay tuned for more easy and delicious recipes using this popular kitchen appliance!
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a powerful countertop appliance that uses hot, circulated air to cook food. Little to no oil is necessary to get crispy, golden brown results that mimic foods that have been deep fried.
Why should I use an air fryer?
Air fryers are so powerful. They can shorten cooking times so you can spend less time in the kitchen.
Air fryers use air, not oil, so you can cook healthier meals that are lower in fat and calories without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Air fryers are versatile enough to cook a variety of foods, including casserole dishes, cookies, and cakes!
What are the best air fryers?
My personal favorite is the Cosori Max XL, 5.8 quart. I use this model to test all the recipes for this series. The basket is large and the cooking is quite even. It’s easy to use and affordable. Best of all, this basket is dishwasher safe.
The Phillips Digital Twin Turbo Star XXL is one of the highest recommended air fryers on the market. It has a multitude of cooking functions and is big enough to cook a whole chicken. However, it’s one of the most expensive models out there.
If you're only cooking for one of two, or you have very limited counter space, you may want to consider a compact size. The Dash Tasti Crisp 2.6 quart.has been reviewed over 19,000 times on Amazon! It’s sleek and easy to use and clean, but less powerful than full size models.
Now that you know all about air frying, let's make some corn on the cob!
Why this recipe works
- You only need a couple ingredients
- Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish
- No need for a grill or boiling water to get great tasting corn on the cob
- Kid and family friendly
Need another easy side dish idea? Try my slow cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Corn on the cob - fresh corn is what works best for this recipe. I don't recommend using frozen corn cobs. I tried it, and they turned out mealy.
Butter - I used what I had in my fridge, which was regular salted butter. You can use unsalted if you prefer. You can also use margarine or oil, such as olive oil. You can also use butter flavored or another flavor of cooking spray.
Salt and pepper - I like about one teaspoon of salt sprinkled evenly over the corn. I usually don't measure out the pepper. Instead, I just shake it over the cobs lightly. Don't get too much on, unless you want hot lips!
Instructions
Be sure you're familiar with your brand of air fryer. I used the Cosori Max XL to make this recipe.
Always start by gathering your ingredients.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer at 380 F to 400 F for 5 minutes. I like my corn to be a bit crisp, like it just came off the grill, so I cook mine at 400. If you like it a little less crisp on the edges, set to 380 F.
Preheating ensures even cooking, but it isn't completely necessary as the air fryer heats up quickly. If you're pressed for time, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Brush entire corn cob with melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, or your favorite seasoning.
Step 3: Place corn in the air fryer basket. Program the air fryer for 12 minutes. Pause half way through, even at the four minute mark to turn the corn over.
Step 4: Resume cooking until air fryer stops or when corn is cooked through and lightly crisp around the edges.
Remove corn carefully because the basket will be very hot. I like to have a trivet or wooden cutting board near by to set the basket on.
Set on a plate or platter and top with more butter if desired.
Variations
Vegetarian/Vegan: Corn is naturally vegetarian. If you avoid animal products, skip the butter and use a vegan butter alternative. Or use olive oil instead.
Gluten free: This recipe in naturally gluten free. Always read ingredient labels if you have a food sensitivity.
Cilantro Honey Butter: mix ¼ cup softened butter, 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro, 2 teaspoons honey, and ½ teaspoon salt. Slather over hot corn.
Mexican Street Corn: slather hot corn with mayo. Top with cotija or parmesan cheese, chili powder and a fresh squeeze of lime.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Reheating: Place in air fryer and heat at 350 F for 5 to 7 minutes or until hot. Be sure to coat with plenty of butter, as corn may become slightly drier when reheating.
Freezing isn't recommended.
What goes good with air fryer corn?
Here are my top main dish recommendations:
- Instant Pot Brisket
- Cilantro Lime Green Chili Grilled Chicken
- Easy Roast Turkey
- Sloppy Joes
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
For a vegetarian meal, try it with my Roasted Broccoli, Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad, or my Carrot and Cucumber Salad.
Top tip
The air fryer gets really hot so I recommend using tongs to handle any food. It's great for turning food over, which is an important step. These are my favorite tongs. They have silicone tips so they are perfect for using on non-stick surfaces.
People also ask
No, it will cook perfectly without being wrapped in foil. If you choose to use aluminum foil, cooking times will be longer.
No, popping corn and sweet corn on the cob are different types of corn.
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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat air fryer to 380 F for less crisp, 400 F for more crisp, for 5 minutes.
- Remove outer husks and silk from corn. Rinse and pat dry.
- Brush corn with melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place corn in air fryer basket, spacing evenly apart.
- Cook for 12 minutes, turning corn over at the halfway point.
Notes
Nutrition
FOOD SAFETY
- Wash hands before handling food
- Wash hands and utensils after coming in contact with raw meats
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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