Skip the grill and give this Air-Fryer Corn on the Cob a try!
If you’re a fan of heating up your kitchen with a big pot of boiling water or sweltering outside next to a hot grill, swipe left. Move along. If you’re ready to try an easy way to get that slightly charred, wonderfully steamed corn on the cob, swipe right and keep reading! I love the taste of corn on the cob that has a few kernels browned and is seasoned well. However, boiling corn doesn’t get these results, and grilling is fine, but sometimes it’s just too hot. And then there’s the cleanup. No, thanks! Like a lot of recipes, the air fryer saves the day.
The circulating air of the air fryer produces corn on the cob that looks like it came out of your standard outdoor gas grill. However, in the air fryer, it’s ready in under 20 minutes, and you’re not sweating it outside, nor is your kitchen overheated! It’s a win-win. On the flip side, if it’s not good grilling weather, air-fryer corn on the cob is easy to make any time of year.
Besides the convenience factor, you will love it because it uses super simple ingredients, tastes great, and is incredibly versatile. Once you get your corn, the rest is just pantry staples. The olive oil is what helps caramelize the corn, and then it’s just salt, pepper, and however much butter you want! This method of cooking lets the corn taste shine through and helps the corn retain a great texture. And it’s not just for eating straight off the cob! Air-fryer corn on the cob produces corn that is great for using in dips and salsas.
Types Of Sweet Corn
Whether you’re buying your ears of corn from the supermarket or fresh from the farm, what kind works best for this recipe? In general, either Bicolor or Kandy Korn (a super sweet variety) work best. Silver Queen is also good if you and your family prefer it. The main thing is to pick good ears. And no, that does not mean that you have to peel back the tops of the husk! Just pick up an ear, make sure it feels more heavy than light, and check for a few things. Check that husk is tight and vibrantly green. Then check that the tassels are silky, lightly colored, and in good condition (not moldy or matted). You’re good to go!
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn, husked and cleaned
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
How To Make Air-Fryer Corn on the Cob
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Rub the corn with olive oil and season evenly with salt and black pepper.
Step 3: Place the corn in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the corn is tender and slightly charred.
Step 4: Remove the corn from the air fryer and spread softened butter over each ear. Serve hot.
FAQs & Tips
How To Make Ahead And Store
This recipe is so quick and easy that it’s best served right after cooking. However, if you need to make this ahead, you can simply let the cooked ears cool, wrap them in plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-6 minutes. You can freeze the cooked corn for up to 3 months in Ziploc bags, too. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Remove ALL The Silks!
Once you remove the outer husk, you have to go about removing the silks. While it’s a tedious process, it is especially important if you’re cooking in the air fryer. Carefully remove all the silks before brushing with olive oil and seasoning. Silks left on the cob can burn easily in the air fryer and compromise the taste.
Space The Ears
Whenever you’re placing multiple pieces in an air fryer, you have to think about spacing. Kind of like a game of Tetris, but in this case, with space in between the ears of corn. Even if you have to do a few batches, it’s worth it because the space around each piece of corn is what lets the air circulate and cook it to perfection! No specific amount of space is needed; just make sure the ears aren’t packed in too tightly.
Serving Suggestions
On a summer night, serve air-fryer corn on the cob with a delicious meal of Easy Weeknight Barbecue Chicken, Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad, and refreshing Lemon Tiramisu for dessert. Alternatively, you can use the corn as the basis for this Esquites Recipe (Mexican Street Corn Salad). Finally, it can also be cut off the cob and mixed into your favorite salsa or Hot Corn Dip.
Air-Fryer Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn husked and cleaned
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Rub the corn with olive oil and season evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Place the corn in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the corn is tender and slightly charred.
- Remove the corn from the air fryer and spread softened butter over each ear. Serve hot.
Leave a Comment