Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce

Want the amazing taste of grilled corn without stepping outside? This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is a perfect way to get the delicious browned corn and cooked in just ten minutes. A simple Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce pairs perfectly with this corn and will be a hit at your next cookout or weeknight dinner.

Not sure about you, but when summer hits I CRAVE corn. As in, we drive past a church festival and I want to jump out of the car and run in just for a few ears of my own. Double fisting? I am so into it--when it comes to corn!

We have been pretty obsessed with this Street Corn with Garlic Feta Butter over the years. This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob was inspired by that recipe, but we swapped the grilling for my favorite indoor appliance these days.

Did you know you can air fry corn in just 10 minutes? Yep, it's so super easy and it will free up some space on the grill this summer--or any time of the year!

Why you will love this:

• The easiest prep! Aside from your air fryer, this air fried corn on the cob will only use one dish and that is for the butter sauce. Other than that, everything is done in the basket. To prep the corn, just remove the husk. Add some oil, salt and pepper and you are set!
• Ready in 10 minutes. Grilling corn typically takes around 15-20 minutes. Air frying can cut that time in half. You will still get some browned corn as you would from the grill.
• That butter sauce--WOW. Anything that combines cilantro and lime is my favorite, but this is the first time I have had the combo with butter. So now I know this trifecta is perfection. Add just a touch or smother it on--you choose, and I know you will be happy either way.

Ingredients and Substitutions:

• corn: I use fresh corn on the cob as it is my preference. However, frozen corn will work just fine in the air fryer as well. You can pop it in frozen! Do you know how to freeze your own corn? Check it out here!
• olive oil: this is my preference, but you can use any oil you like.
• butter: unsalted butter is my preference.
• cilantro: freshly chopped
• lime juice: freshly squeezed is ideal especially since you will need zest from the lime as well.
• garlic: one clove, minced. you can use about ½ teaspoon garlic powder instead
• salt/pepper: adjust to your own taste on these. You can wait until serving to add it even. I like to cook the corn with just a touch of each

How to make this recipe:

• Spray the basket of your air fryer with oil. Add the ears of corn, husk and silk removed from each. Spread the olive oil over each of the ears of corn, getting all sides. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and pepper as desired. (step 1)
• Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place the basket into the air fryer and set the timer for 10 minutes. Turn the corn over using tongs halfway through. Keep a close eye in the last two minutes if you don't want your corn to brown too much. You can keep it in a minute or two longer for it to brown more.(step 2)

• While the corn is cooking, whisk together the butter sauce ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste as well. I add about ¼ teaspoon of each to mine. (step 3)
• When corn is cooked as desired, spread the cilantro lime butter sauce over top, sprinkle with cotija cheese crumbles and serve! (step 4)

Notes and Tips:

• You can make the cilantro lime butter sauce for this air fryer corn ahead of time. You can soften or melt the butter and then whisk everything together. Melt it or let it sit out to room temperature before serving.
• Easily reheat leftover corn in the air fryer. Heat it at 350°F for about 2-3 minutes or until hot.

What to serve this recipe with:

It seems funny to essentially suggest all things from the grill, but one reason I love this Air Fryer corn on the cob so much is that it allows more grill space. So Air Fryer Hamburgers really aren't a great idea, right? Unless you have a huge basket!

If you are looking for a great veggie burger option to serve, these Black Bean Burgers are perfection. Some Grilled Steak Kabobs with Cilantro Chimichurri would be fabulous.

I am thinking you could also add these corn kernels to a few things. One would be over top of this BBQ Ranch Chicken Flatbread. Or perhaps in this Grilled Zucchini Pasta Salad? Ok, now I am really hungry and need to go buy corn. Do you feel the same??

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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