How to Cook Corn in the Air Fryer

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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Four ears of roasted corn on the cob with char marks are arranged inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is the EASIEST way to get a nice char and perfectly tender kernels! No grill or oven needed. Serve air fried corn with burgers, slice it off the cob for salads, and enjoy it all summer long.

Four ears of roasted corn on the cob with char marks are arranged inside an air fryer basket.

The best corn is cooked in the air fryer (yes, for real!)

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

Grilled Corn is one of the highlights of summer, but not every day is a corn grilling kind of day. Sometimes you’re busy! Maybe it’s raining! And those are the days when I make air fryer corn on the cob.

  • The process of cooking corn in the air fryer is easy and you only need corn, olive oil, and salt to make it—plus any toppings you like. (Butter for me, please!)
  • Like grilling, the air fryer gives you corn that’s charred and a little bit caramelized, which means the sweetness is concentrated and the flavor is slightly smoky. It’s fabulous!
  • If you’re looking for corn to use for Mexican Street Corn Salad or elotes, this air fryer corn on the cob is PERFECT!
Three air fryer corn on the cob topped with melting butter and sprinkled with chopped parsley, served on a white plate with a small bowl of salt nearby.

My Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

  • Choose the Best Corn. This is always the best tip for any recipe involving corn! Nothing ruins a dish like bland, under-ripe corn. Look for silk and husks that are moist without being wet, and large, plump kernels that extend all the way to the end.
  • Get All the Silk Off. They sell tools for this, but you can use a small handheld dish brush instead. Gently rub it on the corn to remove any stray strands of silk.
  • Cook in Batches (or Not). For max charring, you may need to cook the corn in batches to fit them into your air fryer basket while still leaving enough space for air to circulate. If you crowd the corn in the basket, it will steam, which is fine too, you’ll just miss out on that charred flavor.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Corn

  • Burgers. Serve corn with a Smash Burger or keep your meal meatless with a Vegan Burger.
  • Proteins. Like air fried corn, this Baked BBQ Chicken has grilling vibes without the grill!
  • Salads. Slice the kernels off the cob and add them to this Healthy Taco Salad.
  • Toppings. I love slathering this air fryer corn with butter and sprinkling on fresh herbs. Compound butter is delicious too, as is a squeeze of lime juice or a sprinkling of cotija or Parmesan.
Close-up of air fryer corn on the cob with a pat of melting butter and sprinkled herbs on top, served on a white plate.
Four ears of roasted corn on the cob with char marks are arranged inside an air fryer basket.

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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air fryer corn on the cob is tender and charred like grilled corn, but it’s SO much easier to make. It’s the perfect summer side dish recipe!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 4 ears
Calories 95kcal
Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Ingredients

  • 4 ears corn shucked with silks removed
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus additional for serving
  • Butter, ground black pepper, freshly chopped basil, chives, parsley, or cilantro, for serving

Instructions

  • Place the corn in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil, then sprinkle with salt. Rub all over to coat the corn evenly.
    Four ears of corn on the cob, with yellow and white kernels, are arranged side by side on a metal baking tray. The tray sits on a light-colored surface.
  • Arrange the corn in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook it in batches. My basket-style air fryer can hold two ears at a time.
    Four ears of uncooked corn on the cob arranged inside the basket of a black air fryer, placed on a light textured surface.
  • Air fry at 390°F until the corn kernels are softened and the corn is lightly charred at the edges, about 12 to 15 minutes (note the kernels will continue to soften a bit as the corn cools). Halfway through the cook time, use tongs to flip the corn over so it cooks evenly.
    Four ears of cooked corn on the cob sit inside an air fryer basket, showing browned and lightly charred kernels against a light, textured background.
  • Serve hot with butter, black pepper, additional salt, and herbs to taste.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover air fryer corn on the cob for up to 4 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Warm up leftovers in the air fryer until it’s heated through, or slice the corn from the cob and heat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.
  • TO FREEZE: Transfer leftovers to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ear of corn | Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 168IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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