Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 20 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 6
Do you have a hankering for fresh corn on the cob – without the effort of roasting it on the grill? Air fryer corn on the cob is ready in about 10 minutes. It is toasty, tender, and tastes gourmet when topped with a mix of seasonings, cilantro, and goat cheese crumbles.
I often love the idea of fresh corn on the cob, but it can be time-consuming to cook it in a way that makes it really tasty and not bland. The air fryer is a great solution to prepare corn with a slightly roasted outer texture and juicy tender kernels.
Ingredients Needed
One of the best things about using an air fryer for simple sides is that you don’t need a lot of extra ingredients to make a truly delicious, healthy dish! Corn on the cob only needs a few items for a fun, flavorful twist.
You’ll need:
- Corn – Use 4 ears of fresh corn on the cob. Shuck the corn (peel off the husks) and clean it to remove all of the silk threads.
- Avocado oil spray – Avocado oil has a high smoke point which is great for cooking foods at very high temperatures. A quality oil spray makes it easy to evenly coat the veggies to get extra flavor and slightly browning in the air fryer.
- Seasonings – Just mix a little chili powder, garlic powder, and salt for a nice savory flavor.
- Crumbled goat cheese – Here’s where basic corn on the cob takes it up a notch! Goat cheese crumbles add the tastiest bit of creamy flavor that complements the sweetness of the corn.
- Cilantro – Chop some fresh cilantro to garnish the cooked corn. Fresh cilantro will taste best, but you can also use dried cilantro (just use half the amount of fresh).
How To Make Corn On The Cob In The Air Fryer
- Spray ears of corn with avocado oil and then sprinkle evenly with seasonings.
- Place corn in the air fryer basket, then cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, flipping once or twice.
- Corn is done when it is tender enough for your liking and slightly browned on the outside. (You can also check to see that the corn looks “plumped” up and is a little more yellow in color.)
- Let the corn cool slightly, then sprinkle with goat cheese and chopped cilantro.
Tips For Making the Best Air Fryer Corn On The Cob:
- When you shop for fresh corn on the cob, choose ears of corn that have a bright green husk and feel as if they contain some moisture. If they have lighter brown or yellow husks, this is a sign that they are drying out. Fresh ears of corn should also have some weight which means there is water retention (juiciness) in the kernels.
- Corn on the cob usually works best in square-shaped air fryers vs. round fryers, where 4 ears might not fit as well. If necessary, you can cut the ears in half to fit in the basket.
- You don’t have to worry as much about overcrowding the basket with corn cobs since there is still room for airflow in the basket. However, if you pack too much food in the basket, it probably won’t cook evenly.
- If the corn starts to burn on the outside but is not done (or tender), reduce the temperature of the air fryer.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Corn On The Cob
Corn on the cob always brings to mind summer barbecues and picnics. But, once you use the air fryer, you can make this tasty side with lots of different seasonal options!
Make some BBQ Ribs in the Instant Pot while you prep the ears of corn for a quick meal that tastes like it’s been in the works for hours! Or, cook a Simple Skillet Steak with Pepper Gravy and serve corn on the cob as a side, along with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.
Experiment with different seasonings for the corn depending on the types of dishes on your menu. Try an elote seasoning for a spicy flavor that goes well with Mexican dishes, or a tangy chili-lime seasoning. If you prefer plain corn, you can simply use avocado oil spray, salt, and a generous slice of butter!
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover ears of corn in a plastic bag or container in the fridge, allowing for some venting so that it doesn’t become soggy. I usually like to remove leftover corn from the cob to utilize in other meals later. (Avocado Corn Salsa is one of my favorite ways to use it!)
To reheat corn on the cob, add it back to the air fryer for a few minutes, or warm it up in the microwave in short increments, testing the temperature.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob shucked and cleaned
- Avocado oil spray
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Spray ears of corn with avocado oil and sprinkle evenly with seasonings
- Place corn in air fryer basket, then cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, flipping once or twice
- Corn is done when it is tender enough for your liking and slightly browned
- Let corn cool slightly, then sprinkle with goat cheese and chopped cilantro
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in a vented bag or container.
- This recipe is specifically written for fresh corn on the cob.
- For plain corn on the cob, simply use only the avocado oil spray and salt.
Air Fryer Corn On the Cob FAQs
- Do I need to pre-heat my air fryer? Yes, most air fryer recipes will indicate a cook time that begins after the air fryer has pre-heated. In general, you can pre-heat for 3-5 minutes to reach the desired temperature.
- Is it possible to overcook corn on the cob in the air fryer? Yes, corn can overcook and become tough. Test to see if the corn is tender and juicy at the end of the instructed cooking time and you can always add another minute or two if needed to prevent overcooking. If the corn starts to burn on the outside before it is done, reduce the temperature.
- Can you cook frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer? Yes, you can cook frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer, although the cooking time will need to be adjusted. This will require some testing depending on individual appliances, but a good estimate would be to cook the corn between 12-15 minutes at 400 ℉.
- Should corn on the cob be wrapped in aluminum foil in the air fryer? No, the corn cooks quickly enough that there is no need to wrap it in foil. Additionally, I prefer not to cook foods in aluminum foil when possible.
- How do you know when corn on the cob is done cooking? Corn is done when the kernels appear plump and turn slightly more yellow in color.
It looks delicious I loved it Thanks for sharing