Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer
Boiled sweetcorn can be watery and plain, and a barbecue is not always an option. Corn on the cob air fryer style is ready in about 12 minutes, with sweet kernels that are lightly charred in places and a buttery finish. Here is the method for fresh cobs, with timings for foil, husks, frozen cobs and cobs cut into ribs.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 19min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 170kcal
Why the air fryer works for corn on the cob
Corn on the cob air fryer style cooks in a way that boiling cannot match. The dry, hot air lightly chars the sugars in the kernels while they cook, so the flavour is sweeter and more roasted, almost like a barbecue. Nothing is lost into cooking water, which means the corn stays plump and full of flavour, and there is no large pan to heat.
It is also quick. A normal corn cob is cooked in about 12 minutes, and cooking corn in air fryer baskets takes no more than a rub of oil. The one rule is to turn the cobs now and then, because they sit on the basket in one position and brown only on the sides facing the heat.
How to make corn on the cob in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the cobs Strip off the green husks and pull away the silky threads. Rinse the cobs and dry them well. If a cob is longer than the basket, cut it in half with a sharp knife.
- Oil and season Rub the oil over the cobs and sprinkle them with salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for .
- Cook Lay the cobs in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook for , turning them every , until the kernels are tender and golden with a few charred spots.
- Butter and rest Beat the butter with the chives and spread it over the hot cobs. Leave them for before eating, as the kernels hold a lot of heat.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Corn on the Cob | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh corn cobsTurn every 4 minutes | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Corn on the cob in foilButter inside the foil | 190 °C | 15–18 min |
| Corn in the huskSoak the husk first | 190 °C | 15 min |
| Frozen corn on the cobNo need to thaw | 200 °C | 15–18 min |
| Corn ribsCut each cob into 4 lengthways | 200 °C | 8–10 min |
| Mini corn cobs | 200 °C | 6–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Pick plump, fresh cobs. The kernels should be shiny and the husk green and slightly damp. Older cobs have starchier, tougher kernels.
- Butter at the end. Butter in the basket burns at 200 °C. Spread it on the hot cobs, where it melts into the kernels.
- Dry the corn. A wet cob steams. Dry it with kitchen roll before oiling so the kernels brown.
Serving
Serve corn on the cob with chicken wings, hamburgers or sausages for a barbecue-style meal that needs no grill. A sprinkle of grated parmesan, chilli flakes or lime juice works as well as butter. Corn in air fryer baskets also goes well with potato wedges and a green salad. More side dishes are on the vegetables page.
Storing and reheating
Cooked cobs keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat corn on the cob in air fryer baskets, brush it with a little butter and cook at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, turning once, until it is steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). You can also cut the cold kernels off the cob and add them to salads or soups.
Variations
- Corn ribs: Cut each cob in half, then cut each half lengthways into 4 strips. Cook at 200 °C for 8–10 minutes until they curl, then season with chilli, lime and salt.
- Cheesy cobs: Roll the hot buttered cobs in grated parmesan or crumbled feta, then sprinkle with smoked paprika.
- Garlic and herb butter: Mix 30 g butter with 1 crushed garlic clove and parsley for a quick herb butter (replace the chives).
Troubleshooting
- The kernels are tough and chewy
- The corn was old or overcooked. Choose cobs with plump, shiny kernels and a fresh green husk, and check them after 10 minutes. Brushing them with oil also stops the kernels drying out.
- The corn is burnt on one side
- The cobs were not turned. Turn them every 4 minutes, and lower the temperature to 190 °C if the kernels darken quickly.
- The cobs will not fit in the basket
- Cut them in half across the middle, or cook them in two batches. Keep them in a single layer so the air can reach every side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does corn on the cob take in an air fryer?
Fresh cobs take 10–12 minutes at 200 °C, turned every 4 minutes. Cobs wrapped in foil take 15–18 minutes at 190 °C, and frozen cobs 15–18 minutes at 200 °C.
Can you cook corn on the cob in the air fryer in the husk?
Yes, with the silks removed and the husk soaked in water for 10 minutes. Cook at 190 °C for 15 minutes. The husk steams the corn and gives a softer, less charred result.
Can you cook corn on the cob in the air fryer from frozen?
Yes, with no thawing. Brush with oil and cook at 200 °C for 15–18 minutes, turning twice, until the kernels are hot all the way through.
Is corn on the cob better in foil or without?
Without foil the kernels brown and char. Foil gives a softer, steamed texture and keeps the butter on the corn, so it suits cobs coated in a lot of butter or herbs.
How do you reheat corn on the cob in an air fryer?
Brush the cob with a little butter and cook it at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, turning once, until it is steaming hot all the way through.
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