Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer
Boiling corn takes a big pot and a lot of water. Air fryer corn on the cob is done in 10 minutes at 400 °F, with sweet, juicy kernels and a few charred spots that taste like the grill. This recipe covers fresh husked corn, corn in foil, corn in the husk and frozen cobs.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 25min
- Prep time
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 190kcal
Why the air fryer works for corn on the cob
Fresh corn is already sweet and juicy, so the goal is to cook it just enough to heat the kernels and add flavor. A pot of boiling water does this with steam, which gives soft kernels and no browning. The air fryer uses dry, hot air, so the sugars on the surface of each kernel caramelize, and you get light char marks like an outdoor grill.
The method is also less work. There is no big pot to boil and no wait for the water, and the corn goes in the basket whole or halved. Corn on the cob in the air fryer is a good option when the grill is not available, or for a quick weeknight side. The only limit is the basket size, so cut ears in half.
How to make corn on the cob in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the corn Remove the husks and silk. Cut or snap each ear in half crosswise so the pieces lie flat in the basket. Pat the corn completely dry with paper towels.
- Oil Rub each piece with a little of the olive oil. The oil helps the kernels brown and keeps them from drying out.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Place 4 half-ears in the basket in a single layer, with space between them. Cook for , turning them with tongs after . Cook the remaining pieces the same way, or cook all of them at once in a large 6-quart basket.
- Butter and serve The corn is ready when the kernels are plump and bright yellow with golden brown spots. Spread the butter over the hot corn, sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve right away.
Times and temperatures
| Corn on the Cob | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, huskedPer batch, turn halfway | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10 min |
| Wrapped in foilButter inside the foil | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12–15 min |
| In the huskSilk removed first, husk pulled back up | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12–15 min |
| FrozenNo thawing | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12–15 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Choose fresh ears. Look for green, tight husks and moist silk. The sugars in sweet corn turn to starch within a few days.
- Butter after cooking. Butter can smoke at 400 °F, so brush the corn with olive oil first and add the butter afterward, while the corn is hot.
- Turn once. The side that touches the basket browns most. Turning at the halfway point colors both sides.
What to serve with corn on the cob
Corn on the cob is a staple for cookouts and goes with hamburgers, brats, chicken wings and pork chops. For a summer plate, add coleslaw and potato wedges, or serve it with green beans and baked beans for a Fourth of July dinner.
Storing and reheating
Cut the kernels off cooled cobs and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They are good in salads, soups, tacos and cornbread. To reheat whole cobs, wrap them in foil and cook in the air fryer at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes, or cook them without foil for 3 minutes, turning once.
Variations
- Mexican-style (elote): Brush the cooked corn with 1 tbsp mayonnaise, then sprinkle with chili powder, crumbled cotija cheese and lime juice (not dairy-free).
- Garlic herb butter: Mix the butter with 1 minced garlic clove and 1 tbsp chopped parsley before spreading it on the hot corn.
- In the husk: Pull the husk back, remove the silk, then pull the husk up again and cook as is. The husk steams the kernels and keeps them sweet, and the outer layer chars slightly.
- Parmesan and paprika: Roll the buttered corn in 2 tbsp grated Parmesan and ½ tsp smoked paprika (not dairy-free).
If it does not turn out right
- The kernels are tough or chewy
- The corn was old or cooked too long. Choose fresh ears with moist silk and plump kernels, and take it out after 10 minutes. Corn that is a few days old gets starchy.
- The corn is dry
- Bare kernels lose moisture in dry hot air. Brush with oil before cooking, or wrap each ear in foil with a little butter to steam it.
- The ears do not fit
- Cut each ear in half and cook in batches. Whole ears can touch the heating element and cook unevenly in a small basket.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook corn on the cob in the air fryer?
Fresh husked corn takes 10 minutes at 400 °F, turning once. In foil it needs 12–15 minutes, and in the husk about 12–15 minutes.
Can you cook frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer?
Yes, with no thawing. Brush with oil and cook at 400 °F for 12–15 minutes, turning twice, until the kernels are hot and lightly browned.
Can you put foil in the air fryer for corn?
Yes, when the food is wrapped inside and weighs it down. Brush the corn with butter, wrap each ear tightly and cook at 400 °F for 12–15 minutes. Never preheat with loose foil in the basket.
Is air fryer corn better than boiled or microwaved?
It has more flavor, because the kernels brown and caramelize instead of steaming. Boiled corn is softer and juicier, and the microwave is faster for a single ear.
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