Why You Should Make Corn On The Cob In Your Air Fryer
The weather is warming up and the sun is setting later. Summer is just around the corner and with warm summer nights comes cookouts full of food. After all, who doesn't love BBQ and grilling recipes? A fan-favorite dish at every good cookout is good, old-fashioned corn on the cob. It's always fun to find new ways of cooking a classic dish and, according to The Kitchn, this summer you can bump up your corn on the cob game by using everyone's new favorite kitchen must-have: an air fryer.
Using an air fryer for your corn on the cob can be handy for many reasons. Not only will the air fryer make your corn golden and crisp, but it can also cook your corn faster than the grill — and won't heat your house up in the summer heat as much as boiling water or preheating the oven would. If it rains during your barbeque, don't fret! Use the air fryer to get your corn cooked and ready for guests.
Perks of using an air fryer
Air fryers have become a recent staple in many cooks' kitchens because they can "fry" almost anything. An air fryer is the ideal cooking tool when it comes to making sure your food is crisp, flavorful, and cooked quickly and efficiently. According to Taste of Home, an air fryer is just a new term for a convection oven, which pushes hot air all around the basket, cooking and crisping up any food inside.
Cooking foods in an air fryer is also healthier than throwing them in a deep fryer since the food is being cooked with hot, close air instead of oil. According to the Cleveland Clinic, cooking food in oils, even healthier options like avocado oil or olive oil instead of vegetable oil, can add a lot of extra calories and fats that aren't included when you air fry something. Therefore, air frying even french fries or chicken nuggets can eliminate some unnecessary oils in the cooking process. The air fryer can make the perfect corn, too, when allowed to truly shine.
How to air fry corn on the cob
So, now that we know some of the perks of an air fryer, how exactly do we go about cooking the corn on the cob in an air fryer? The recipe is simple and a great go-to for many people with air fryers. One TikToker, @themodernnonna, put her corn on the cob in the air fryer at 370 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. She then coated the cooked corn with melted butter mixed with parsley and added parmesan at the end. Another TikToker, @cookingwithrashee, used frozen corn ears and dipped the corn in a melted butter mix with creole seasoning. She then cooked the corn for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
What's important to note about each recipe is making sure to add some type of oil or butter to your corn so it cooks in the air fryer. Also, be sure to add some type of seasoning before cooking it. Whether it's just salt and pepper or something different, like smoked paprika or cayenne, be sure to add some flavor. Another good tip is to cut the corn into smaller pieces so the ears are more spread out so the corn cooks evenly. You can also turn the corn halfway through the cooking process, as you would for any other air fryer recipe, so one side isn't crispier than the other (via Taste of home).
Best ways to serve it
Now that you have the crispiest corn in just 10 minutes, the world is your oyster when it comes to serving it to your family or guests (or yourself). You can leave it as is and put some butter on top. Eating corn right off the cob is always the classic method, after all. You could also get a little fancy with it and cut the kernels off of the cob and create a new and improved side dish. Ultimately, the mistakes some are making with corn on the cob are simply not experimenting with it or not seasoning it.
Furthermore, you could spice it up and make Mexican street corn, adding some cotija cheese and spices. You could also follow a viral TikTok recipe from @spicednice, which includes air frying some corn ribs (corn on the cob cut in quarters) and adding some elote-inspired spices, cotija cheese, and cilantro. You could even let the corn cool down and make a refreshing corn salad with onions, tomatoes, and herbs (via Food Network). The point is, after cooking up your crispy corn, the rest should come easily. After using these techniques and recipes, your corn will be the (s)talk of the barbeque.
Apparently, all you need to know about your air fryer is how truly versatile it is, including for summer meals!