This Indian street-style Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, also known as Bhutta, is smoky, spicy, and ready in just 10 minutes! Roasted to perfection (no grill needed!) and seasoned with lime, chaat masala, and cayenne, it brings back all the monsoon vibes. Perfect as a BBQ side or a nostalgic snack!
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Growing up in Delhi, roasted corn, also known 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!
In my home, corn on the cob is a must-have whenever we grill anything. I love the flavor contrast of corn kernels with slightly charred skin, yet so juicy and sweet when you bite into them.
This air fryer corn recipe achieves the same taste and texture, without the hassle and cleanup of firing up a grill! It is so easy to put together on weeknights, 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 also list other seasoning variations, such as Mexican, Italian, and classic American. Let's get started!
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Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
Corn and seasoning are all you need to make this delicious corn on the cob! Here's what you need:
- Corn: When buying corn, look for firm and plump kernels. If the skin is shriveled, skip them as they're past their prime. Buy smaller ears that can fit easily in your air fryer. If necessary, trim or cut them in half to fit, or place them diagonally. Alternatively, buy trimmed corn ears to save time.
- Seasoning: This is where you can get creative. Here are some of my go-to seasonings:
- Indian: 2 tablespoons lime juice, ¼ teaspoon cayenne (skip for mild), and 1 teaspoon chaat masala.
- 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.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Corn On the Cob (Bhutta)
- 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.
- Cook until roasted to your liking. If needed, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to achieve your preferred texture.
- 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, dip the cut lime half in that, and brush it into the corn.
Storing & Reheating
You can store leftover corn on the cob in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. To reheat, either microwave for 1 minute or air fry at 350°F for 1-2 minutes.
Alternate Methods for Cooking
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 halfway 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 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, 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 cooking time towards the end to reach your preferred doneness. Mine usually take 10-12 minutes.
- Oven-roasted corn: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place cleaned corn ears on a lined baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping it halfway.
- Outdoor grill instructions: Heat the grill to high, and place the corn ears keeping a little space between them. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until cooked evenly and charred to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes adding too much oil in the seasoning can cause the foods to get greasy and prevent it from crisping. If your corn is not crispy, add the wet seasoning (if using) after roasting.
I would not recommend using frozen corn in this recipe because it will not crisp up as expected. The results will be more like steamed corn as opposed to roasted.
More Crisp Air Fryer Recipes
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob (Bhutta)
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Video
Equipment
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
Instructions
- Prepare the corn by removing the husk and silk. Trim it or cut it in half to fit the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can also fit the corn diagonally.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes. Place the corn in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the corn halfway through.
- If needed, cook for another 2 minutes to reach your preferred texture.
- To season the roasted corn, sprinkle chaat masala and cayenne (if using) on a lime half and rub the lime on the corn. This spreads the seasoning along with lime juice evenly. Alternatively, combine the seasoning in a small bowl. Dip your cut lime half in the seasoning and rub it onto the corn.
Notes
- Corn-Sizing Tip: When picking corn for this recipe, select small to medium-sized ears or trim their ends to fit in your air fryer basket.
- Seasoning: I prefer to roast the corn as is, then brush on the seasoning, but you can also add your favorite seasonings before roasting. 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 fryer cooking times may vary with different models, adjust the cook time towards the end to reach your preferred doneness. Mine usually takes 10-12 minutes.
- Oven-roasted corn: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place cleaned corn ears on a lined baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping it halfway.
- Outdoor grill instructions: Heat the grill to high, and place the corn ears keeping a little space between them. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until cooked evenly and charred to your liking.
Payal B says
This took me back to the monsoons... Love the air fryer version since I was struggling with the stovetop way. Yum!
Aneesha Gupta says
Thank you Payal, I can totally relate to that sentiment 🙂 I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe!