Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Serve this Air Fryer Corn on the Cob as an easy side dish, or cut the kernels from the cob and add them to salads, bowls and rice. Air fried corn on the cob is quick and easy to make with fresh in-season corn or frozen corn all year long.

Air fryer corn on the cob turns out sweet and juicy with a delicious crunch.  It makes a quick and easy side dish to serve with grilled chicken or fish, fried chicken, burgers and more. Make it extra special by serving it with flavored butters.

Why We Love This Air Fryer Corn On The Cob

• Quick and Easy. Air fryer corn on the cob is super quick and easy to make and it turns out sweet and crispy every time. All you need is fresh corn on the cob and butter to serve it with.  
• Great Side Dish. Air fryer corn on the cob is a great side dish to serve for cookouts, weeknight meals and holiday feasts. You can also cut the corn from the cob and add it to your favorite rice and protein bowls.

Air Fryer Corn Ingredients

To make this recipe, you’ll just a few simple ingredients.

• Corn. Use fresh summer corn or frozen corn year round.
• Oil. Use olive oil or avocado oil.
• Butter OR Jalapeno Butter. Serve the corn with butter and salt or our jalapeno butter. We also give you a few other butter ideas below.

Find printable recipe with the measurements below.

How To Air Fry Corn On The Cob

• Preheat Air Fryer. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
• Shuck Corn:  Strip off the husk and snap off the end stalks. Pull off the silk and remove the strands caught between the kernels. Rub a damp paper towel along the kernels to help loosen the strands caught between the kernels if needed.
• Air Fry Corn On The Cob. Brush or rub olive oil over the ears of corn and set them in the air fryer basket. Air fry corn on the cob in the air fryer for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Serve Corn. Remove the corn from the air fryer and transfer to a serving dish.  Serve with butter and salt or other toppings you may like. 

Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Corn On The Cob

• Set a timer for 12 minutes to check on the corn. If it needs to cook more,  then cook it in the air fryer for another 2-3 minutes longer.

Corn On The Cob Flavored Butter Ideas

Butter and salt are the most common toppings for corn on the cob, but there are some other tasty toppings you might like to try. These options are for serving 4 ears of corn. A little tip – take the butter out of the refrigerator and let it set to soften a bit. It makes it easier to mix the ingredients into it. 

1. Jalapeno Butter. Mix together 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons jalapeno, seeded and minced, 1/2 large lime zested, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 teaspoons cilantro, finely chopped, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
2. Parmesan Cheese. Mix together 1 clove grated garlic, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Slather on corn on the cob and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Pesto and Parmesan Cheese. Slather homemade pesto sauce over the hot corn and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Honey Butter. Mix together 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup pure clover honey and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
5. Mexican Style. Mix together 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons chili powder, juice of 1/2 lime. Spread on corn on the cob and sprinkle with more crumbled queso fresco cheese. 
6. Chili Butter. Mix 1/2 stick butter, 1 garlic clove grated and 1 teaspoons chili powder.
7. Elotes Style. Mix 1/2 cup Mexican crema or creme fraiche and 1/2 cup mayonnaise mixed together, 1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese or parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder. Slather the corn on the cob with the Mexican crema mixture, roll in the Cotija cheese and sprinkle ancho chili powder over the corn.

What To Serve With Corn On The Cob

• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Grilled Lemon Chicken
• Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
• Cilantro Lime Chicken

How To Shuck Corn

Remove the husk off of the corn and snap off the end stalks. Pull off the silk and remove the strands caught between the kernels. You can rub a damp paper towel along the kernels to help loosen the strands caught between the kernel.

How To Pick The Best Corn

Corn should be displayed in the refrigerated section at the grocery store, and it should be kept in the shade and/or on ice at farmers’ markets.  It’s best if the corn was picked the day you purchase it. Check the husks to make sure they look fresh, tight and green. Strip back part of the husk to see whether the corn kernels look plump rather than shrunken.  Refrigerate the corn as soon as you get home and leave the corn unhusked until you are ready to cook it. If the ears have already been husked, then place them in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use.

When Is Corn Season?

Fresh corn is available all year long. However you can enjoy fresh corn on the cob when it’s peak in season which is mid to late summer.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

• Roasted Red Peppers
• Creamed Corn
• Roasted Summer Vegetables
• Peas and Carrots
• Oven Roasted Carrots
• Sauteed Vegetables
• Steamed Broccoi