Air Fryer Corn on the Cob (Perfectly Roasted)

Name: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 ears of corn (husk and silk removed & trimmed); 2 tablespoons lime juice (Fresh); ¼ teaspoon cayenne ((skip for mild)); 1 teaspoon chaat masala (adjust to taste)

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Crisp, juicy corn on the cob, perfectly roasted in the air fryer in just 10 minutes. Add your favorite seasoning and enjoy it as a snack or side dish, or add it to your salads and soups.

4 ears of roasted corn next to lime halves covered in spices

Growing up in Delhi, roasted corn, also knows as 'Bhutta', was in abundance during the monsoon season. There was something so satisfying about being fully drenched in the rain and enjoying freshly roasted corn smeared with lime juice and chaat masala. Miss those days!

In my home, corn on the cob is a must-have whenever we grill anything. I love the flavor contrast of corn kernels with a slightly charred skin, yet so juicy and sweet when you bite into it.

This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob recipe achieves the same taste and texture, without the hassle and clean up involved in firing up a grill! It is so easy to put together on weeknights too, especially when I get trimmed corn ears from the store. All I do is place it in the air fryer basket and cook it for 10-12 minutes!

In this recipe I use a simple seasoning to make Indian Corn (Bhutta), but I've also listed other seasoning variations like Mexican, Italian and classic American.

Ingredients

It doesn't get simpler than this recipe. Corn and seasoning is all you need to make this delicious corn on the cob!

Corn: When buying corn, look for firm and plump kernels. If the skin looks shriveled, skip them as they're past their prime. Buy smaller ears that can fit easily in your air fryer. If need be, trim them or cut them in half to fit. For weeknights, I love buying trimmed corn ears from the grocery stores as that saves me a ton of time and effort.
Seasoning: This is where you can get creative. I personally love Indian-spiced corn, but keep switching the seasoning to match the flavors of my entree. Check out some seasoning variations below:

Seasoning Variations for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Classic American: 2 tablespoons melted butter, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
Italian: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Mexican: 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon Mexican chili powder; ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons of freshly chopped cilantro, and Cotija cheese for topping.

How to Make Air Fryer Corn On the Cob

Clean the corn: Prepare the corn by removing the husk and silk. Trim it or cut it in half to fit the air fryer basket.

Air fry corn: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes. Place the corn in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the corn halfway through.

4 ears of corn placed in the air fryer basket

Cook until roasted to your liking: If needed, cook for another 2-3 minutes to reach your preferred texture. At this point, if you like you can brush it lightly with avocado or olive oil.

Season and Serve: To season the roasted corn, sprinkle chaat masala and chili powder (if using) on lime halves and rub the lime on the corn. That spreads the seasoning along with lime evenly.

Alternatively, combine the seasoning in a small bowl. Add freshly squeezed lime juice and spices and mix it well. Brush this seasoning using a pastry brush.

Close up of roasted corn ears next to spices and lime halves

Storing & Reheating

You can store leftover corn on the cob in an air tight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. To reheat, either microwave it for a minute, or air fry it at 350°F for 1-2 minutes.

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place cleaned corn ears on a lined baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping it half way through.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

Heat your outdoor grill to high, about 8-10 minutes. Place the corn ears keeping a little space between each ear. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning often, until cooked evenly and slightly charred.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Corn-picking Tip: When picking corn for this recipe, pick smaller ears, or trim their ends to fit in your air fryer basket.
Seasoning: I prefer to roast the corn as it is, then brush seasoning on top, but you can add your favorite seasonings before roasting too. More seasoning options are suggested in the content above.
Turn halfway: Don't forget to shake your basket or flip the corn halfway for even roasting of the corn.
Adjust air frying time: Since air fryers differ in temperature, adjust the cook time towards the end to reach your preferred doneness. Mine usually take 10-12 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my food not crispy in the air fryer?

Sometimes adding too much oil in the seasoning can cause the foods to get greasy and prevent it from crisping. Which is why, in this recipe we hold off on adding any wet seasoning till after roasting.

Can I use air fry frozen corn?

I would not recommend using frozen corn in this recipe, simply because it will not crisp as expected. The results will be more like steamed corn as opposed to roasted.

roasted corn on parchment, with spices and lime

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