This is the only recipe for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob that you need! It has the timing down for plump and juicy corn kernels, but also for slightly browned kernels if you prefer a bit more of that grilled flavor.
So you want delicious corn on the cob without firing up the grill? The air fryer is a great option! The ears of corn cook in about 10 minutes and they taste amazing with such little effort. It’s so easy this may just be your favorite side dish this summer.
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Video: Air Frying Corn On The Cob
When To Use The Air Fryer For Corn
The air fryer is the right choice for corn on the cob when you need to cook 2-4 ears of fresh corn. The corn stays tender and juicy, but you can get some browning on it like you would with grilled corn on the cob. If you’re cooking for a crowd though, the grill or boiling is still the easiest way to cook a lot at once. I have some tips if you’d like to learn how to boil corn on the cob perfectly. Of course, you could also work in batches with the air fryer.
While using the microwave for corn on the cob is quicker, you aren’t able to get any browning on the kernels with that method. I usually save that method for when I’m in a rush to get dinner to the table.
Flavors For Corn
I’ve kept my ingredients for this air fryer corn recipe super simple with only fresh corn, butter, salt, and sugar. The method and the timing for the air fryer is the important part here. If you want more flavor on your corn, you can serve with my special Butter for Corn on the Cob, which has bacon and chipotle chili powder. Yes, really! It’s so good!
Want Mexican flavors? Air fry the corn and then add the delicious elote spread from my Mexican Street Corn recipe before serving. It has cotija cheese and lime and is pretty amazing.
How about Parmesan cheese on your corn? My Corn on the Cob with Olive Oil recipe has Parmesan and lemon juice for a bright and savory taste.
Should I Add Sugar To Corn?
You’ll notice in the recipe below that there’s a bit of sugar mixed into the butter that is brushed onto the corn before it’s air-fried. The sugar’s in there to bring out the natural sweetness of the corn. I learned this from my mom who taught me to always add sugar to the water when boiling corn. And now I always add sugar however I’m cooking corn.
It’s not absolutely necessary if you prefer not to, but a pinch of sugar really highlights the sweet corn flavor.
How To Air Fry Corn On The Cob
Remove the husks and silks from the ears of corn. Check to see if the cobs fit in your air fryer basket. If not, trim with a sharp knife or cut the cobs in half. (This air fryer has a good amount of space). It’s important to make sure your cobs fit before you add butter to them. It’s quite difficult to grasp the cobs to break them or cut them once they’re all slippery with butter. Trust me, I learned it from experience! lol
Combine the butter, salt, and sugar and brush over the corn. If you’d like to add black pepper or other ingredients, feel free to season to your taste. Note that you can use all of the butter at this stage, or use just half and then brush the remaining half on after the corn is finished cooking. The first way you get a bit more browning. The second way, you get more dripping butter at the end.
Arrange the corn cobs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F.
How Long To Cook Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer
If you just want the air fryer to cook the corn through, so that you have corn kernels that are plump and yellow, air fry the cobs for 10 minutes total, flipping halfway through. After that time, if you want yours a little more browned, flip it again and cook for 2-3 more minutes, then do another flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Other Great Corn Recipes
Browse the full collection of air fryer recipes or try one of these other tasty dishes that feature corn.
The Best Air Fryer Corn on the Cob Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
This is the only recipe for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob that you need! It has the timing down for plump and juicy corn kernels, but also for slightly browned kernels if you prefer a bit more of that grilled flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 cobs of corn, shucked
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Before you begin, make sure the corn cobs fit in your air fryer. If they’re too long, use a sharp knife to trim them, or break them in half.
- In a small bowl combine the butter, salt, and sugar, if using.
- Brush butter mixture all over the cobs.*
- Arrange cobs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes. The corn will be fully-cooked but not browned. If you’d like your corn browner, cook for another 2-3 minutes and then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
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Notes
*Alternatively, you can use half of the butter before cooking the corn, and then brush with the rest after they’re finished. The first way you get a bit more browning. The second way, you get more dripping butter at the end.
Sherry says
We love air fried corn on the cob. I tried this method using a bit of sugar and think it’s a winner. Back to the store for more corn. I’ve also wrapped it in foil with some butter and it’s good that way too. The air fryer works great for the two of us.
Christine Pittman says
Glad to hear it, Sherry! I love using the air fryer too.
Janine says
This was very good and easy. I loved the taste of the corn in the air fryer. Very quick, also.
Christine Pittman says
Happy to hear it, Janine! Thanks for coming back to comment.