Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

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Quick and easy air fryer corn on the cob is a simple side dish that is ready in minutes! Save time, and get perfectly cooked corn every single time!

Air fryer corn on the cob stacked on plate topped with fresh parsley.

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💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🌽 Ingredients and Notes
🛠 Tools and Equipment
👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
❓ Recipe FAQS
💪 What makes corn on the cob recipe healthy?
📝 Expert Tips
📖 Variations and Substitutions
🍴 How to Serve
🫙 How to Store and Keep
😋 More air fryer recipes!
🎥 Video
⚖️ Serving Size
Recipe

My family is totally obsessed with corn on the cob during the summer months! It’s so fresh and sweet, and an absolutely perfect side dish for picnics, BBQs, and cookouts! It’s super affordable and SO easy to make!

We’ve learned how to make air fryer popcorn, so it’s time to try corn on the cob!

There are many ways to cook and enjoy your ears of corn, but the air fryer is my new favorite way to prepare it!

💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You don’t need to heat up the grill for a couple of ears of corn!
No don’t need to wait for boiling water.
It’s an easy way to prepare fresh and frozen corn!
The hot air circulates to cook evenly on all sides.
There’s no need to heat up the house in the summer by turning on the stove.
You’ll achieve a roasted grill-like flavor any time of the year.
Air frying retains more of the vitamins and nutrients in the corn.

🌽 Ingredients and Notes

Four ears of corn on a rectangular plate, next to small bowl of butter, salt, and pepper.

Sweet Corn: There are different varieties of corn, although, in the summer, you are more likely to find sweet corn in your grocery store! This has the best flavor! Especially when bought in season!

Olive Oil: All you need is a bit of olive oil is required in order to crisp the corn and give it that nice roasted flavor.

Salt, Pepper, and Butter: Simply season with kosher salt or sea salt and fresh black pepper! Then add a touch of butter if desired.

🛠 Tools and Equipment

Your favorite air fryer!
Pastry brush (optional) for brushing corn with oil.

👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Prepare the Corn: Shuck and clean four ears of corn. If needed, cut off the ends of the ears to fit inside your air fryer basket.

Four ears of corn shucked and cleaned on a white plate.

Coat with Olive Oil: Coat each ear of corn with about one teaspoon of olive oil. Do not use olive oil cooking spray. This can potentially damage your air fryer basket. Place the corn in a single layer in the basket.

Four ears of corn in a single layer at the bottom of an air fryer basket.

Roast in the Air Fryer: Air fry the corn at 375 F for 6 minutes. Flip the corn and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes or until the corn kernels are tender.

Tongs lifting corn ear out of an air fryer basket.

Finishing Touches: Top with butter, and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Then add fresh herbs of your choice, such as parsley, cilantro, or basil. Enjoy!

Butter knife spreading butter on cooked corn.

❓ Recipe FAQS

What is the healthiest way to cook corn on the cob?

The healthiest way to cook corn is the method that retains the majority of its nutrients. Unfortunately, boiling corn dissolves valuable vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. Also, corn is high in fiber, which helps with digestion. Avoid boiling to retain these nutrients. Using the air fryer is an excellent method as it retains all the health benefits of the corn and tastes delicious!

Why do you soak corn on the cob?

If you plan to grill your corn, soaking is a standard method to help keep the corn husks from burning and catching fire on the grill, as well as give it enough moisture on the inside to steam within the husks. If you are air frying your corn, you do not need to do this extra step since you will remove the husks before placing the corn in the air fryer.

Why is my corn on the cob tough?

If your corn is tough, you’ve either cooked it too long or not enough! Corn can become tough when it is boiled in water for too long. The same problem can happen if you leave the corn in the air fryer too long or take it out before it’s fully cooked. The best way to ensure that your corn is perfectly tender is to cook for 6 minutes per side. Check for doneness, and cook an additional 2-4 minutes if necessary. Time may vary depending on your corn’s size and your air fryer. Always check your air fryer’s cooking instructions for the best estimates of time for each type of food.

Four cooked ears of corn stacked on a white plate topped with butter, salt, and pepper.

💪 What makes corn on the cob recipe healthy?

High in Fiber: Corn is an excellent source of fiber. Fiber is essential for helping you feel fuller longer and aids in healthy digestion.

Rich in Vitamins and Nutrients: Corn is an excellent source of B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. B vitamins help ensure your body’s cells are functioning correctly. They convert food into energy, create new blood cells, and maintain healthy skin cells, brain cells, and other body tissues. In addition, minerals such as zinc help with your immune system. Also, magnesium helps with nerve and muscle function, supports the immune system, strengthens bones, keeps blood glucose levels in a normal range, and improves energy.

Low in Calories: One ear of fresh corn has 36 calories, including the added teaspoon of olive oil! To keep this recipe healthy refrain from adding butter, or add just a touch!

Healthy Fats: This recipe is coated in a small amount of olive oil. This not only makes for a beautiful flavor, but it also provides monounsaturated fatty acids. MUFAs are known to help lower cholesterol levels.

For complete nutritional information see the recipe card. All information is an estimate and depends on the ingredients you use.

📝 Expert Tips

Make sure to husk and clean your corn thoroughly. You don’t want any loose corn silk that can burn while roasting.
Use olive oil to coat the corn. You need just a little bit. Don’t skip it. This helps keep the corn from sticking and gives it a nice roasted flavor.
Season the corn with your spices of choice.
Top with your favorite fresh herbs for added flavor and a touch of green and freshness! I suggest parsley, basil, or cilantro!
Use aluminum foil in the air fryer to make clean-up easy!

Close up of cooked corn lined on a plate topped with melted butter, salt, and pepper.

📖 Variations and Substitutions

Chili Powder and Lime Juice: Spice up your recipe with a sprinkle of chili pepper! Then squeeze a wedge of fresh lime juice on top! It’s so refreshing and unique! Or try preparing a Mexican Street Corn, also known as elotes.

Fresh Herbs and Melted Butter: Spread a touch of melted butter (Earth Balance Vegan Butter) is my favorite, and top with chopped fresh green herbs. Great to serve with veggie burgers and or roasted vegetable kebabs.

Vegan Parmesan Cheese and Garlic Salt: Sprinkle with a bit of vegan parmesan cheese (or regular) and a touch of garlic salt for an Italian flare on this recipe.

🍴 How to Serve

Serve with your favorite vegan sandwiches, like my vegan egg salad or vegan tuna salad. Or alongside your favorite grilling recipes such as my vegan black bean quinoa burgers, chickpea patties, or carrot dogs.

🫙 How to Store and Keep

If you have leftover corn store it in an airtight container. I prefer to wrap my cooked corn in plastic wrap, or place in a large zip-lock bag with all air pushed out. Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. When ready to reheat, unwrap the corn, and place in the microwave for about 2 minutes or until warmed.

Four ears of corn topped with fresh chopped parsley.

😋 More air fryer recipes!

🎥 Video

⚖️ Serving Size

This recipe is for 4 ears of corn, and prepares 4 servings.

If you made this recipe, please comment below and leave a ⭐️ rating. You can also follow me on Instagram , Pinterest, and Facebook for more family-friendly vegan recipes!

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