Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is a cinch to make! Sweet, snappy, and slightly caramelized — this easy method will become your favorite way to cook sweet corn.

My family is heading out west for summer vacation next month and my brother, who lives in Colorado, has already reminded me several times to not forget his delivery of local Iowa sweet corn.

I told him only if he has a bushel of Colorado peaches waiting for us to devour. 😉

Iowa summers are synonymous with sweet corn season. We’re the largest producer of corn in the US, and you won’t find corn that’s sweeter, snappier, nor more delicious anywhere else on the planet.

From raw salads to brothy soups, scrumptious side dishes and luscious entrees — if there’s a way to work fresh summer sweet corn into a dish, this Iowa gal will find it!

That said, trust me when I tell you the easiest way to cook corn on the cob is in the Air Fryer. This method is quick and hands off, plus the kernels come out tender, sweet, and slightly caramelized. It is SO good.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob has become one of my go-to, simple summer side dish recipes!

Quick and Easy Air Frying Method

I grew up eating corn on the cob with dinner at least twice a week in the summertime — we earned it too, as my brothers and I were responsible for shucking the corn on the back deck ahead of my Mom getting started on dinner. I can practically feel and hear the riiiiip of the husk when I think of those moments!

Served with the dedicated corn cob-only stick of butter on a plate, plenty of salt and pepper, and an array of corn cob holders at the kitchen table, the end result was always worth the effort. Like I said, there’s nothing like in-season Iowa sweet corn dripping with butter and salt.

That said, my Mom always boiled our sweet corn and, while that’s totally fine and delicious, air frying corn on the cob is simple, quick, and easy — plus you don’t have to wait for a giant pot of water to come to a boil.

Can you say upgrade?!

Equipment and Ingredients Needed

• Air Fryer: will come in handy, of course! Here is the latest model of the Philips Air Fryer I’ve been using for years and years.
• Sweet corn on the cob: feel free to purchase corn cobs that have already been shucked and cleaned up.
• EVOO, melted butter, or vegetable oil: coats the corn cobs so the seasonings stick to them. That said, you do NOT need to add any fat to the corn cobs prior to Air Frying — feel free to air fry them plain.
• Salt and pepper: is what this purist recommends seasoning the corn with prior to Air Frying. Simple really is best when it comes to enjoying sweet corn, imo!

How to Slice the Kernels Off the Cob — Safe + Mess Free!

As excited as I am about sweet corn in general, I am even MORE passionate about the safe and mess free method of slicing corn kernels off the cob, as seen in the video below.

TL;DR — SKIP THE BUNDT PAN, FOLKS! 

Whether you’re slicing the kernels off the cob to eat, or use in another dish, do yourself a favor and give this method a try.

How to Make Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer.

Start by preheating your Air Fryer to 390 degrees, or the closest temperature setting on your model to 390 degrees. I would go down vs up — for example, choose 375 degrees vs 400 degrees if those are your closest temperature setting options to 390 degrees.

My first generation Philips Air Fryer is a work horse, though here’s the latest, updated model.

Step 2: Prep then season the corn.

Shuck the sweet corn and clean off any fine silks / hairs that remain then use a very sharp knife to trim the tops and ends off the cobs, if necessary, in order to fit inside the Air Fryer basket.

Next, add the cleaned cobs to a baking dish and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, melted butter, or vegetable oil. Add salt and pepper then roll the corn cobs in the dish, or use tongs to roll them around to evenly coat in the oil and seasonings.

• Tip: you don’t HAVE to add fat or seasonings at this point. Feel free to Air Fry the corn cobs plain.

Step 3: Air Fry the sweet corn.

Arrange the ears of corn in the basket of the Air Fryer — they can be touching and/or overlapping, but not stacked in a double layer. Air Fry for 8-10 minutes or until tender, rotating the cobs halfway through.

• Tip: the corn cobs will continue to soften slightly after they’ve been pulled out of the Air Fryer.

Tender yet crisp, sizzling, and slightly caramelized — this is the most delicious way to prepare sweet corn!

Transfer the corn cobs to plates then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese or fresh parsley, more butter, or serve as-is.

How to Serve and Store

The Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is ready to serve as is, or feel free to let the corn cool slightly then slice the kernels off the cob using the method shown in the video above.

• To store: slice the kernels off the cob then place in an airtight container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• To reheat: scoop the corn kernels into a microwave-safe dish then microwave for 30 seconds — 1 minute or until hot.
• To freeze: slice the kernels off the cob then place inside a gallon-size freezer Ziplock bag. Keep the bag open until the kernels have cooled then remove the air, seal, and freeze flat for up to 6 months. Heat from frozen with a splash of water in a microwave-safe dish, or add directly into hot soups, skillet dishes, fried rice, etc.

I hope you enjoy this easy and truly tasty way to enjoy summer sweet corn!

More Recipes Using Sweet Corn

Photos by Ashley McLaughlin