Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
You’re going to love this sweet, juicy, and tender air fryer corn on the cob slathered with homemade herb butter. An easy summer side dish recipe for whole corn that’s roasted to crispy perfection in minutes, perfect when the grill is occupied!
Table of Contents
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Air Fryer
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
It’s officially corn season! I love the taste of fresh grilled corn on the cob. There’s something about the roasted flavor that can’t be rivalled by boiling. On summer days and nights when I don’t feel like firing up the grill, though, this quick, juicy air fryer corn on the cob never fails. Topped with a pat of homemade herbed butter? Bliss.
This easy corn recipe is perfect when the grill is otherwise occupied with favorites like grilled teriyaki steak skewers, lemon herb grilled chicken, and Peruvian turkey burgers.
What You’ll Love About Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Save room on the grill. This air fryer recipe is great when entertaining with a backyard BBQ. The grill fills up quickly! Crispy air fryer corn pairs perfectly with burgers, tacos, and grilled meats.
- The air fryer cooks corn in a fraction of the time. It only takes minutes, and the corn comes out juicy, tender, perfectly roasted, and so full of flavor.
- Homemade compound butter. This is an easy vegetable side dish with minimal ingredients, and it’s very quick to prepare. Just slather the corn with an easy homemade herb butter when it’s time to serve.
Ingredients Needed
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this air fryer corn with herb butter. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
- Corn on the cob – You’ll need 4 ears of fresh corn with the husks and silks removed. Pro tip: Try your local farmer’s market for the freshest selection of sweet corn while it’s in season.
- Oil – Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or another high-heat cooking oil.
- Butter – For serving. I’ve also included the ingredients for the most delicious homemade herb butter below! Optional, but highly recommended.
Homemade Herb Butter for Corn
- Butter – Salted butter is a great shortcut to flavor here. You can also use unsalted, though, with an extra pinch of salt. Soften the butter to room temperature so it’s easier to mash with the herbs.
- Fresh herbs – Any herbs you like. Good choices include parsley, basil, oregano, cilantro, thyme, sage, tarragon, or dill. Finely mince the herbs.
- Optional citrus – I love the freshness of a spoonful of lemon, lime, or orange zest in my herb butter. However, this part is optional. Be sure to zest only the colored part of the rind, and not the white, bitter pith. You can also use juice in place of zest if you’d like.
Can I Use Frozen Corn?
Fresh is always best in my books, but frozen corn will also work in the air fryer. You’ll need to thaw the corn and pat it dry before following the recipe as directed. You can cook the corn from frozen in a pinch. However, you’ll need to increase the cooking time.
How to Make Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
This air fryer corn is perfect for your next backyard BBQ or potluck meal. Super quick and super tasty. What more could you want in a summer side dish, honestly? Here’s my fast and easy method for whole roasted corn in the air fryer:
- Prepare the corn. While your air fryer preheats to 400ºF, shuck the corn and remove the silks. Trim off the ends, and you may need to cut the cobs in half depending on the size of your air fryer. Give the corn cobs a generous rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook. Next, arrange the corn inside the air fryer in a single layer, leaving room between each cob. Cook for about 10 minutes or until lightly roasted, flipping halfway through. The corn is ready when it’s tender and golden.
Serve With Herb Butter
Meanwhile, use the time it takes to cook the corn to make a quick and delicious herb compound butter.
- Make the herb butter. Combine the butter with the herbs and zest, using a wooden spoon to work everything together. Roll your herb butter into a log inside a sheet of plastic wrap, then close the ends. Pop the log into the fridge to chill and firm up again.
- Serve. Serve your air fryer corn on the cob with a pat of herb butter, or mix it up with your favorite variations and toppings! See the section later on for some suggestions.
🍴 In the Cupcakes & Kale Chips Kitchen…
- I use the Cosori XL 5.8-quart air fryer. It has a nice, large and deep basket. It’s big enough that you can easily fit four full-size ears of corn with minimal trimming. This has a regular spot on my countertop because I use it several times a week.
Last updated on Aug 20, 2026 1:24 am
Tips for Air Frying Corn
- Not all air fryers cook the same. Cooking times and temperatures may vary depending on the model you are using. So keep a close eye on your air fryer corn and adjust the settings as needed.
- Choose the freshest corn. Look for ears of corn that are firm, and husks (the leafy outer layer around the cob) that are green and tight, rather than yellow or loose. The cornsilk strands poking out should also feel fresh to the touch, and not blackened or dried out.
- Scale the recipe. This recipe yields about 4 servings. Depending on how hungry everyone is, you can easily scale the recipe up or down as needed, and work in batches when air frying.
- Avoid aerosol sprays. The cardinal sin of air frying is using an aerosol spray like PAM on the basket. Non-stick agents in these sprays can damage the finish over time. For best results, use a non-aerosol oil mister or drizzle the oil over the food instead to avoid sticking.
- Cook in batches. Rather than overcrowding the air fryer, cook the corn on the cob in batches. Leaving enough space for hot air to circulate is important for the perfect roast, every time.
Variations
There are plenty of ways to make this air fryer corn recipe your own. Think different spices, extra add-ins, and inspiration from other cuisines. Here are some of my favorite corn on the cob variations:
- Garlic butter corn: Add fresh minced garlic or garlic powder into the herb butter for extra flavor.
- Brighten the flavors: Finish your corn with a squeeze of lemon or lime for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
- Cheesy: Add crumbled goat cheese, cotija cheese, or grated Parmesan on top when serving.
- Spice it up: Season your air fryer corn on the cob with Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or homemade blackened seasoning.
- Mexican elote: Make Mexican street corn-inspired corn on the cob. Smear the corn in mayo, then season it with chili powder, lime juice, or chili-lime seasoning. Sprinkle cotija cheese and cilantro on top before serving. You might also love this similar Peruvian-style street corn with spicy green Aji sauce.
How to Store Air Fryer Corn
- Refrigerate. Leftover corn on the cob can be stored whole, or you can remove the kernels to use in other recipes, like chili lime corn, white chicken chili, or a taco skillet. Whichever way you choose, store the corn airtight in a bag or container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat. Reheating your corn on the cob is as easy as popping it back into the air fryer for a few minutes at 400ºF, until heated through. Alternatively, you can warm it in the microwave, too.
- Freeze. To freeze corn, the kernels need to be removed first. Trim the kernels off the cob (Pro tip: Place the corn in the hole of a bundt pan to keep it steady while you cut, and the pan will catch the kernels!). Next, store your corn kernels in a freezer-safe container or a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Corn can be kept frozen for up to 3 months, and reheated from frozen or thawed in the fridge before using.
Make It a Meal
Buttered corn on the cob is one of my favorite BBQ side dishes. It pairs perfectly with everything from grilled chicken legs, to gluten-gree hot dogs, to vegetarian nachos and more. Here are more ways to make crispy air fryer corn on the cob into a meal:
- Cookout-style: Serve corn on the cob with honey BBQ Instant Pot ribs and a side of air fryer French fries.
- Summer salads: Try favorites like Mexican pasta salad, bacon potato salad, and three bean salad.
- Seafood: Make an easy seafood dinner with quick chili lime shrimp and a side of juicy roasted corn.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Sweet and tender air fryer corn on the cob is roasted to crispy, juicy perfection in minutes. It's an easy summer side dish, delicious smothered with homemade herb butter.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Corn
- 4 ears of corn on the cob
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- Butter or optional herb butter for serving
For the Herb Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (or use unsalted and add ⅛ teaspoon salt), softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or other fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, sage, tarragon, dill, etc.
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest or lime or orange zest, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Shuck the corn and remove the silk. Trim the ends so it fits in the air fryer, cutting it in half if needed.
- Drizzle the corn with olive oil and rub it in to coat it thoroughly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping the corn over after 5 minutes, or until tender, golden, and lightly roasted.
- Serve with butter or herb butter.
Making the Herb Butter
- Add the butter, herbs, and zest, if using, to a bowl. With a wooden spoon or spatula, work the herbs into the butter.
- Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface and place the herb butter on it. Roll it up to form a log and seal the ends. Place the log in the refrigerator until it firms up again.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Amount Per Serving
Calories 133
Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 30mg10%
Sodium 90mg4%
Potassium 7mg0%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 366IU7%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
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