Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Name: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 ears fresh corn; 2 teaspoons oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper; Optional toppings: Chopped fresh parsley; Freshly squeezed lime juice; Crumbled feta; Salt and pepper to taste

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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is one of the easiest recipes you’ll make in your air fryer. The corn turns out perfectly roasted and juicy and it’s ready in just 15 minutes. It’s a delicious side dish to go with your summer grilling!

I’m all about the air fryer side dishes these days! It’s a great way to save time and oven space, and you don’t need a lot of oil to get delicious results. Some of our favourites include these air fryer green beans and air fryer carrots, but I’m predicting this corn on the cob recipe will be a new summer staple for us!

Overhead view of four ears of air fried corn in an oval dish with bowls of feta and chopped parsley off to the side.

Air fried corn is a great way to enjoy the taste of grilled corn without having to turn on your grill. Or, as in our case, you don’t have to find space for it on your small grill while you’re trying to cook your burgers or steaks!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Simple. You need just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes prep time to get this corn in the air fryer.
Quick and easy. The corn cooks in just 15 minutes and, other than flipping them at the halfway point, they’re pretty hands off in the air fryer.
Super delicious. The corn turns out sweet and juicy with a little charring that tastes like you grilled your corn.

Details on the ingredients

Ingredients to make air fryer corn on the cob arranged on a wooden cutting board.

Corn on the cob – You’ll need 4 medium-sized fresh ears of corn for this recipe, with the husks and silks removed and the ends trimmed. You can buy corn this way or do it yourself. When corn is in season, I highly recommended buying it super fresh (that’s when it’s the sweetest) and shucking it yourself. Here’s an article from The Spruce Eats on how to shuck corn.

Oil – There’s just a little oil brushed on the corn before air frying. I used extra virgin olive oil but you can use your preferred oil.

Seasonings – A simple mix of salt, pepper and garlic powder is all you need to season the corn. If you want to change it up with different herbs and spices, there are plenty of options. (See below for suggestions).

Four ears of raw, fresh corn arranged in an air fryer basket.

How to cook corn on the cob in the air fryer

Remove the husks and silks from your corn and trim the ends off. (You’ll definitely want to do this if the corn is too long for your air fryer.
Arrange the corn on your work surface and brush the oil on the corn. You can also use your hands to rub it in.
Mix together the salt, garlic and pepper and then sprinkle it on the corn. You can also use your hands to rub it in and make sure it gets good coverage.
Place the corn in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400F for 13-15 minutes, flipping them at the halfway point.
Carefully remove from the air fryer and serve hot with your preferred toppings.

Four ears of fully cooked corn in an air fryer basket.

Topping options

Slather on some butter and top it with salt and pepper. This topping option is simple but it’s a classic!

Top your warm corn on the cob with cheese like crumbled feta, cotija or parmesan. Melty, salty cheese is pretty irresistible on top of fresh, juicy corn.

For a cheesy flavour that’s dairy free, sprinkle on a little nutritional yeast.

Top the corn with different spices before or after air frying. For some added heat, go for cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. For a milder, yet smokey flavour, try chili powder, smoked paprika or cumin.

For fresh flavour (and a colourful presentation), add some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro just before serving.

Finish it off with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice.

Close up of air fried corn on the cob topped with crumbled feta and chopped parsley.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best temperature for air frying corn on the cob?

To imitate corn that’s been grilled over high heat, you’ll want to air fry your corn on 400F degrees. The corn cooks quickly but it’s still juicy with slight charring and a few crispy pieces. If the temperature setting on your air fryer doesn’t go as high as 400F, you can still air fry your corn, you’ll just need to increase the cooking time.

How long do you air fry corn on the cob?

This depends on the size of your corn and your preferred texture. I used medium-sized ears of corn and it took about 15 minutes on 400F to achieve a tender and juicy texture with light charring. If your corn is larger, it will take longer to cook. If you enjoy corn on the firmer side, you’ll want to reduce the air frying time by 1-2 minutes.

Can you air fry frozen corn on the cob?

I haven’t tested frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer, but if you want to give it a try, I suggest reducing the air frying time by a few minutes. Since frozen corn is usually blanched (or briefly cooked), it may cook a little faster in the air fryer.

How do you reheat air fryer corn on the cob?

If you haven’t added any toppings (like cheese and fresh herbs) to the corn, you can reheat it in the air fryer on 350F for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through. Be careful not to reheat it for too long as it may dry out or brown too much. If the corn already has toppings on it, you can reheat it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until heated through.

What type of air fryer was this recipe tested in?

The recipe instructions are based on a Cosori 5.8 quart basket-style air fryer. I also tested the recipe in a Cuisinart toaster oven style air fryer. Both are larger capacity air fryers so I was able to air fry four ears of corn in a single batch.

The Cuisinart browned the corn on top a little quicker, so if you have this style air fryer, I suggest reducing the cook time by a few minutes and just keep an eye on it.

Depending on the size, brand and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cook time slightly.

Corn on the cob in a white dish and topped with parsley and feta.

Additional recipe tips

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The corn should be arranged in a single layer with a little bit of space in between each piece. This will help it brown and cook evenly.
Flip and rotate the corn. Half way through air frying, make sure you flip the corn over and even rotate it, if necessary. This will also help it cook evenly.
Be careful not to overcook. While you can air fry the corn for a few extra minutes to get your desired texture, be careful not to overcook it. You don’t want the corn to burn or shrivel up and dry out.
Air fry in batches. If your air fryer is smaller, you’ll need to air fry the corn in batches. You may also need to cut the ears of corn in half in order to fit them in your air fryer.
Preheating your air fryer. If your air fryer has a preheat function, feel free to use it. I tested this recipe with and without preheating and it didn’t result in any noticeable difference to the cook time.

Ways to use air fried corn on the cob

As a side dish, we love this corn on the cob with turkey burgers, steak, chicken and kabobs.
It’s also a tasty side for pork ribs or pulled pork.
Cut the corn off the cob and add it to soups like this dairy-free corn chowder or butternut squash soup.
Use it has a substitute for grilled corn in this vegetable orzo salad.
Add it to chili or use it as a topping for nachos and hummus bowls.

Other air fryer side dishes to try

If you make this air fryer corn on the cob, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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