Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

This air fryer corn on the cob recipe is so quick and easy! It gives you juicy corn kernels with that roasted flavor in just minutes.

three ears of corn on the cob on a plate next to a bunch of parsley

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Want that roasted corn flavor without needing to heat up the grill or oven? The air fryer comes to the rescue once again!

This air fried corn recipe is a great option if you're only cooking 2-3 ears of corn, although it can definitely be done in batches to cook more. It's especially great if you're making the corn to use in a recipe, such as my Southwest Salad!

I've been cooking fresh Wisconsin sweet corn my whole life, but only recently did I go outside my comfort zone and try it in the air fryer. I will definitely tell you, it's a game changer!

The air fryer makes it incredibly quick and easy. This is also a great vegan option because it's made with oil instead of butter!

Ingredients

Corn on the cob
Olive oil
Salt for serving

How to make air fryer corn on the cob

Remove husks and silk from the corn. Cut off the ends or cut ears in half as needed to fit in the air fryer.
Rub olive oil all over the outside of the corn.
Arrange corn in a single layer in the air fryer and cook 12-15 minutes at 370ºF, flipping once.
For darker roasted corn, cook a few minutes longer.

a collage of two images, one of uncooked corn in the air fryer, the other of cooked corn in the air fryer

Top tips and questions

How to pick the best corn on the cob

I always try to buy corn on the cob in peak season (June - August). From there, choose ears that are plump with bright green, tightly closed husks.

Ears with light brown, slightly sticky silks will be freshest. You'll want to avoid any ears with dark, dry silks or husks.

I always peel back the silk a little bit from the top to make sure the corn inside looks good. You're looking for kernels that are set close together with a white or yellow color depending on the variety of corn.

If it looks brown or like something has nibbled on it, choose a different ear. Some people will say never to peek, but I prefer to only buy the corn we'll need rather than worrying about throwing an ear or two away that's been half eaten by some sort of animal.

I would probably not peel back the silk to check when buying directly from a farmer and would instead buy a couple extra ears just to help support them.

three ears of corn on the cob after being shucked

How to store air fried corn

Store your corn on the cob in the husk in the refrigerator until ready to cook it. I recommend enjoying it within a day or two of purchasing.

After cooking, place your ears in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can allow it to cool enough to handle, cut it off the cob, and store in the same way.

Corn on the cob can be frozen cooked, uncooked, or cut off the cob. Check out my post on how to freeze corn on the cob for more in depth information.

three ears of cooked corn on the cob in an air fryer

How to shuck corn on the cob

Shucking corn is the process of removing the husks and silk. I've been doing it my whole life, and now enlist my kids to help, which is really just to say if an 8 year old can do it, so can you!

My favorite way to shuck corn is to reach into the top and grab about ⅓ of the silk, along with the husk on the outside of it. Hold the cob firmly in one hand, and rip the silk down to the end with the other.

Repeat this process two more times, or until the majority of the silk and husk is removed. Use your hands to pull away any remaining silk, or try a corn brush (affiliate link).

If you peel the husks and silk away a little at a time, it will take ages to shuck the corn, and be more difficult to remove the silk. By grabbing a lot of it at once, the whole ear can be shucked in under 30 seconds.

Don't salt corn before cooking

Never salt corn before cooking. It will make the corn tough. Always salt your corn after cooking for the best texture and flavor.

a close up of three ears of air fryer corn on the cob on a plate

Tips for customizing air fried corn on the cob

Top with vegan mayonnaise and parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and a squeeze of lime
Top with vegan feta and chili powder
Season with oregano, thyme, and rosemary
Drizzle with hot sauce
Combine vegan butter and horseradish and spread on corn

Ways to use air fried corn on the cob

FAQ

Can I stack corn in the air fryer?

Air fryers work best when food is cooked in a single layer. Cook corn in batches if necessary instead of stacking ears in the appliance.

Can I cook frozen corn in the air fryer?

If you have frozen ears of corn on hand, you can cook them the same way, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if they aren't thawed. Be sure to check out my post about how to cook frozen corn on the cob.

What kind of air fryer should I buy?

I love my Ninja Foodi because it also grills and bakes. However, any air fryer will work for this recipe, including basket or oven style air fryers.

Do I need to use oil in the air fryer?

Technically you do not need to use any oil to cook corn in the air fryer. However, it will help the corn turn a nice golden brown color and give it a great flavor.

Whether or not you top your corn on the cob with butter, oil, or anything else is up to you, but I like this one best with olive oil and butter.

More air fryer recipes

More corn recipes

three ears of air fryer corn on the cob on a plate

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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