Should I wrap my corn in aluminum foil before air-frying?

Wrapping corn in aluminum foil before air frying prevents the exterior of the corn from caramelizing. Instead, the corn will steam, having a result more similar to boiled corn.

Can you air-fry corn kernels?

Yes! Corn kernels can be cooked in a lined air fryer basket. The exterior of each kernel will crisp while remaining juicy on the inside.

What are good toppings for corn on the cob?

Some might argue that sweet summer corn doesn't need any toppings at all. For others, adding fat, acidity, aromatics and even heat can take corn to the next level . Be creative and have fun pairing with the rest of the meal! Butter, bacon, queso fresco, Parmesan, lime, parsley, cilantro, and chili can all be wonderful additions, to name a few.

What is the best way to reheat air-fried corn on the cob?

To revive leftover corn on the cob , preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Place corn in air fryer basket, and heat until warmed throughout, 2-3 minutes.

Air Fryer Corn On The Cob Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Corn On The Cob
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 ears fresh yellow corn, husked, silks removed; 2 teaspoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 cup salted butter, softened; 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

4

If you love grilled and roasted corn but would prefer a quick alternative, this air fryer corn on the cob is a must try.

No need to fire up the barbecue or oven. Using an air fryer means consistently crisp, buttery, and tender corn every time, no matter what the season. The best part? This classic side is ready to serve in under 20 minutes. Garnish with your favorite toppings and get ready to receive rave reviews.

Learn how to make air fryer corn on the cob. This will be a favorite weeknight side because the whole family will love it.

Southern Living Air Fryer Corn on the Cob ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Why the Air Fryer Is So Great for Corn on the Cob

If you haven't already purchased an air fryer, you will want to once you realize how delicious, easy, and mess-free air fryer recipes can be. You may be thinking you simply don't have room in the kitchen for one more appliance. Stand-up mixers, slow cookers, toaster ovens, Instant Pots—they can all take up valuable real estate on the kitchen countertop, but here is why you need to give the air fryer a try: Air frying is faster than cooking in a conventional oven, and you don't need to heat up the oven on hot, summer evenings.

Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, which creates a crisp and crunchy exterior and keeps the interior tender and juicy. It's hard to beat the fresh, sweet taste of summer corn, and it's even harder to beat the ease and results of this preparation!

If you enjoy fuss-free meal preps, this recipe was made for you. This is a great method for making your basic corn on the cob, and you can upgrade it with different toppings and butters.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

As hot air circulates inside the air fryer, the olive oil and natural sugars in the corn begin to caramelize, providing a beautifully charred exterior that's also tender and juicy with each bite. Here's what you'll need to make this recipe for air fryer corn on the cob:

Corn: Fresh yellow corn is our go-to, but feel free to use any fresh corn variety you have. Remove the leaves and silks.
Olive oil: You'll coat the corn in a small amount of oil to help the kernels stay hydrated while they're cooking.
Salt: A little pinch of salt elevates the flavor of fresh corn.
Butter: Once cooked, you'll spread butter over the corn cobs for that classic rich butter flavor in each bite.
Chives: This is optional, but we love the grassy freshness of chives with corn. You could use another herb, such as cilantro or parsley, if you want.
Black pepper: For seasoning the cooked corn.

Southern Living Air Fryer Corn on the Cob ingredients — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Cook Corn on the Cob in an Air Fryer

This couldn't be an easier side dish. Here's a brief recap of how to make corn on the cob in the air fryer. The full recipe is below:

Step 1. Season the corn: To prepare this quick and easy side dish, rub ears of corn with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Step 2. Cook corn: Place corn in the basket of your preheated air fryer, and cook until charred and tender.
Step 3. Season again, and serve: Rub evenly with butter, sprinkle with chives, pepper, crumbled cheese, or other preferred toppings, and serve hot.

How Long Do You Cook an Ear of Corn in an Air Fryer?

We find that preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the corn helps to ensure a short cooking time. After 14 minutes, turning once, the corn on the cob is perfectly charred while remaining tender.

What if I Don't Have an Air Fryer to Make Corn?

If you don't have an air fryer but love the taste of roasted corn, this Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob may be precisely what you're looking for.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Southern Living Air Fryer Corn on the Cob on a marble background — Caitlin Bensel

Ingredients

4 ears fresh yellow corn, husked, silks removed
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 cup salted butter, softened
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Directions

Prepare corn:

Rub corn with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cook corn:

Preheat a 6.3-quart air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Place corn in air fryer basket.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cook until charred and tender, about 14 minutes, turning once halfway through cook time.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Season corn:

Rub evenly with butter, and sprinkle with chives and pepper. Serve hot.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wrap my corn in aluminum foil before air-frying?

Wrapping corn in aluminum foil before air frying prevents the exterior of the corn from caramelizing. Instead, the corn will steam, having a result more similar to boiled corn.
Can you air-fry corn kernels?

Yes! Corn kernels can be cooked in a lined air fryer basket. The exterior of each kernel will crisp while remaining juicy on the inside.
What are good toppings for corn on the cob?

Some might argue that sweet summer corn doesn't need any toppings at all. For others, adding fat, acidity, aromatics and even heat can take corn to the next level. Be creative and have fun pairing with the rest of the meal! Butter, bacon, queso fresco, Parmesan, lime, parsley, cilantro, and chili can all be wonderful additions, to name a few.
What is the best way to reheat air-fried corn on the cob?

To revive leftover corn on the cob, preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Place corn in air fryer basket, and heat until warmed throughout, 2-3 minutes.