Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob recipe is the easiest way to cook fresh corn on the cob! Perfectly tender and juicy corn on the cob every single time, made with basic ingredients & ready in 10 minutes or less! You’ll never boil corn on the cob again!

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

There’s almost nothing better than juicy, tender corn on the cob in the summer time. Whether you boil your corn on the cob, grill it, bake it, or air fry it like we do, we can all agree that it’s pretty much the BEST summer side dish out there!

This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob recipe is pretty much as good as it gets. In fact, after 20 years of boiling corn on the cob in a hot kitchen, we’ve realized that cooking corn on the cob in the air fryer is not only easier but BETTER – that’s right. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is the best corn we’ve ever had and we can’t WAIT to share this recipe with you!

Boiling corn on the cob is probably the most popular cooking method, and it usually results in juicy, tender corn as long as the corn doesn’t boil too long and overcook. This method is simple and requires minimal preparation, but it’s not ideal for a hot summer day – especially if you don’t have air conditioning – because a huge pot of boiling water creates a lot of heat in the kitchen.

To boil corn on the cob, boil a large pot of salted water and place the cobs into the water for just 6-8 minutes until they’re bright yellow and tender. The corn cooks quickly in the water, but a large pot of water will take several minutes to come to a boil on the stovetop, so this isn’t the quickest method.

Grilling corn on the cob gives it a delicious smokiness and charred flavour. Grilling caramelizes the corn, which creates flavour, but it doesn’t always result in juicy corn on the cob.

To grill corn on the cob, begin by preheating the grill to medium-high heat. Place the shucked corn cobs directly on the grill grates and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is cooked and slightly charred.

Baking corn on the cob in the oven is our least favourite way to prepare corn on the cob. Baking ensures even and controlled cooking, which can result in tender corn, but it can also lose its juiciness in the oven. Baking also takes a bit longer than other methods and there’s a possibility of the corn drying out if not properly watched.

To bake corn on the cob, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the shucked corn cobs on a baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes.

Cooking corn on the cob in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker is another great option if you enjoy using either of these kitchen appliances.

The Instant Pot offers a result that’s similar to boiling. Place the shucked corn on the Instant Pot’s trivet. Add a cup of water to the pot, seal the lid, and set it to high pressure for 2-3 minutes. Once the cooking is complete, release the pressure and your corn on the cob will be tender and ready to enjoy.

If you prefer a more slow approach, the slow cooker can be a convenient choice. Place the shucked corn cobs in the slow cooker and add 1-2 cups of water. Cook on low for about 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. The slow cooker method gives a similar result to boiling, but it takes a long time to cook.

Air frying corn on the cob is by far our favourite option. The air fryer creates tender, juicy corn that’s similar to boiled corn, but it also roasts it slightly giving it a slightly caramelized result similar to grilling. Essentially, it’s the best of both worlds. And what’s even better, it’s ready in less time than boiling, grilling, or baking and there’s less mess to clean up.

And brushing on some garlic butter for the last minute of cooking time makes this corn taste divine. Trust us, once you give this Air Fryer Corn on the Cob method a try you’ll never go back!

If you’ve been a reader of The Busy Baker for awhile now you’ll already know how much we love simplifying your life in the kitchen, especially when it comes to preparing meals with fresh, healthy ingredients. Here’s a list of our most favourite summer recipes that are fresh, healthy, and most importantly – EASY to make!

• Summer Berry Salad with Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette
• Keto Burgers in a Bowl
• Rainbow Vegetable Pasta Salad with Creamy Italian Herb Dressing
• Grilled Peaches
• Air Fryer Burgers
• Fresh Pineapple Salsa
• Easy Cajun Grilled Chicken
• Peach Mango Smoothie
• Grilled Turkey Burgers with Spinach and Sriracha Mayo
• Fruit Platter
• Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges with Sweet Curry Aioli
• Pico de Gallo

We love summer entertaining so much we’ve developed a FREE email course all about enjoying simple, delicious and healthy summer food with your friends and family, and how to do it the EASY way. Sign up for FREE here:

And if you want more where that came from, we’ve developed an e-book all about healthy, fresh, recipes and entertaining ideas for summer! Check it out now in The Busy Baker SHOP!

To make this recipe you’ll need these ingredients:

• fresh corn on the cob
• vegetable oil or olive oil spray
• salt and pepper
• butter
• garlic powder
• fresh or dried parsley (optional)

Want to take this basic corn on the cob recipe up a notch? Try one of these delicious variations on the classic!

1. Mexican Street-Style: Slather with a mixture of mayo, lime juice, chili powder, and crumbled Cotija cheese about halfway though air frying. Finish with fresh cilantro.
2. Herb-Infused: Elevate your corn by brushing it about halfway through cooking with a blend of melted butter, minced garlic, and a medley of chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley.
3. Parmesan-Crusted: Create a crave-worthy crust by combining grated parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs and a pinch of smoked paprika. Roll the corn in this mixture before air frying to achieve the perfect crunch.
4. Honey Butter: Drizzle your shucked corn with a mixture of melted butter and honey before air frying. The result? A caramelized glaze that perfectly complements the corn’s natural sweetness.
5. Savoury Pesto: Introduce an Italian flair by spreading a thin layer of basil pesto onto the corn before air frying. The heat will melt the pesto into a deliciously savoury coating.
6. Sesame Soy: Whisk together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and a touch of honey for an umami-inspired marinade. Let the corn soak up these flavours before air frying, and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

The first kitchen item you’ll need to make this corn on the cob recipe is an air fryer. Here are some that we recommend, in case you’re in the market for one (paid links):

• A great Air Fryer for space-saving (2 quart capacity)
• The perfect Air Fryer for large families with a dual basket feature
• A standard Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)
• A large Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)

In addition to an air fryer, you’ll also need a pair of tongs, a silicone brush, and some measuring cups and spoons.

We hope you love this easy summer recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite easy air fryer recipe? We’d love to know!

• Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
• Veggie Burgers
• Cowboy Caviar
• Pico de Gallo
• Easy Juicy Homemade Burgers
• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Easy Potato Salad
• Relish
• Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!