Want the flavor of grilled corn without firing up the grill? This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob delivers browned, juicy corn in about ten minutes. A bright Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce complements the corn beautifully and makes this a winner for casual weeknight dinners or summer gatherings.
When summer arrives I crave corn. Fresh ears, sweet kernels and the charred spots from high heat—there’s nothing like it. This recipe was inspired by classic street-corn flavors but adapted for the air fryer so you can enjoy that grilled taste indoors any time of year.
You can cook corn in the air fryer in just 10 minutes, which frees up space on the grill and keeps prep and cleanup minimal. Whether you’re using fresh ears or frozen kernels, the air fryer gives great color and texture fast.
Why you will love this:
- Minimal prep. Remove the husks, give the ears a light coating of oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and place them in the air fryer basket. The only extra dish is the bowl for the butter sauce.
- Quick cooking. Air frying cuts typical grill time in half while still producing lightly browned, caramelized kernels. It’s perfect when you need a fast side dish.
- Bold, fresh sauce. The Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce combines bright lime and fresh cilantro with rich butter for a flavor boost. Use a little or slather it on—you can’t go wrong.
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Corn: Fresh ears are ideal, but frozen corn works in the air fryer too—use it straight from the freezer if needed.
- Olive oil: Use your preferred cooking oil to coat the ears before air frying.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is recommended for the sauce so you can control seasoning.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped for the best flavor.
- Lime juice and zest: Freshly squeezed lime juice and zest add brightness; the zest is especially important for maximum citrus aroma.
- Garlic: One clove minced, or about 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder as a substitute.
- Salt and pepper: To taste; some people prefer to add more at serving time.
How to make this recipe:
- Spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Remove husks and silk from the ears of corn, place them in the basket, and rub olive oil over all sides. Season lightly with sea salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the corn for 10 minutes. Flip the ears with tongs halfway through. Watch the last two minutes so the corn doesn’t brown more than you like—add an extra minute or two if you prefer deeper color.
- While the corn cooks, whisk together the butter sauce: melted butter, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust lime and seasoning as desired.
- When the corn is done, brush it with the cilantro lime butter, sprinkle with cotija cheese if using, add an extra squeeze of lime if you like, and serve immediately.
Notes and Tips:
- Make the sauce ahead: The Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce can be prepared in advance. Store it chilled, then bring to room temperature or gently warm before serving so it spreads easily.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer: Warm extra corn at 350°F for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
What to serve this recipe with:
This air fryer corn pairs well with a variety of mains. Try it alongside grilled steaks or kebabs, BBQ chicken, or as a flavorful topping for flatbreads and salads. You can also cut the kernels off the cob and add them to pasta salads, tacos, or a cucumber corn salad for a fresh summer side.
Check out these other Air Fryer recipes:
- 15 Minute Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- Buffalo Cauliflower
- Air Fried Parmesan Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce
Ingredients
For the Corn:
- 4 ears of corn, husk and silks removed
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp pepper
For the Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp lime juice
- ½ tsp lime zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- ¼ tsp sea salt, to taste
- ¼ tsp cracked pepper, to taste
For serving
- Cotija cheese, optional
- Extra lime wedges, optional
Instructions
- Prep the corn: spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Place the husked ears in the basket, brush with olive oil, and season with sea salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the corn for 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Add 1–2 minutes at the end if you prefer more browning.
- While the corn cooks, whisk together the melted butter, lime juice and zest, garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Brush the cooked corn with the cilantro lime butter, sprinkle with cotija if desired, squeeze extra lime and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can prepare the cilantro lime butter in advance; warm or bring to room temperature before serving so it spreads easily.
- Reheat leftover corn in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes until hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.
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