Air-Fryer Sweetcorn: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook sweetcorn in an air fryer! It's a quick, easy, and hassle-free way to cook sweetcorn, without having to boil a pot of water. The air fryer method is also great if you want to avoid heating up your kitchen. You can cook fresh or frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer, and it will come out tender, juicy, and slightly caramelised.

How to prepare sweetcorn for the air fryer

Preparing sweetcorn in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook this tasty treat without heating up your kitchen. Here's how to do it:

Choosing and Preparing the Corn

Start by choosing fresh ears of corn with green husks and moist silk, which indicate quality. Peel back the husks and remove the silk, then rinse the ears in cold water. Pat them dry with a paper towel. You can also use frozen corn, either by thawing it first or cooking it straight from frozen.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F (180-200°C). The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model.

Seasoning the Corn

Brush or spray each ear of corn with a small amount of olive oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter. This will help the corn develop a nice golden color, keep it from drying out, and ensure that your seasonings stick to the corn. Season the corn with salt and pepper, or any other spices you like. You can also use a spice blend such as Vegeta All-purpose seasoning or garlic powder, cayenne, or paprika. Just remember not to overpower the corn's natural sweetness with too much seasoning.

Cooking the Corn

Place the corn in the air fryer basket, making sure the ears are not touching each other. If your corn is too long to fit in the basket, you can cut the ends off or cut the corn in half. Cook the corn for 10-15 minutes, flipping it halfway through to prevent hot spots. Be sure to check on the corn periodically to prevent overcooking, as air fryer models vary in their cooking times and temperatures.

Serving the Corn

Let the corn cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the kernels to retain their juiciness. You can enjoy your air-fried corn on the cob as-is or try some different toppings like chili flakes, grated parmesan cheese, or chopped herbs like basil or parsley. You can also add some extra olive oil or melted butter.

How to season sweetcorn for the air fryer

Air fryer sweetcorn is a quick, easy, and tasty way to cook sweetcorn. It's a great method to cook corn without heating up your kitchen, and you can season it in a variety of ways to suit your taste. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to season sweetcorn for the air fryer:

Choose Your Corn:

Select fresh, good-quality sweetcorn, preferably with the husk still on. Look for bright green husks and moist silk, which are indicators of freshness. The husk should be tightly wrapped around the corn, and the silks (the long hair-like strands) should be brown and tacky, indicating moisture in the cob.

Prepare the Corn:

Husk the corn and remove any fine silks or hairs that remain. Use a sharp knife to trim the tops and ends of the cobs if necessary to ensure they fit inside your air fryer basket. You can also cut the corn cobs in half to make them fit.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to around 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Different models may vary slightly in temperature settings, so adjust accordingly.

Season the Corn:

There are endless ways to season your sweetcorn before air frying. Here are some options:

• Oil and Butter: Drizzle or brush the corn with extra virgin olive oil, melted butter, or vegetable oil. This step is optional, but it helps the seasonings stick to the corn and adds a golden color.
• Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the corn. You can also use seasoned salt or other spice blends like Vegeta All-purpose seasoning.
• Spices: Experiment with spices like garlic powder, cayenne, paprika, thyme, or chili powder. These can be added directly to the corn or mixed with cornstarch for a crispy coating.
• Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil. You can also try chaat masala for an Indian touch.
• Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the cooked corn for an extra savory touch.

Air Fry the Corn:

Place the seasoned corn cobs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked or overlapping. Air fry for 8-15 minutes at the desired temperature, occasionally rotating the cobs for even cooking. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the desired level of doneness.

Serving and Storing:

Serve the air-fried corn cobs hot with a drizzle of olive oil, melted butter, or your favorite toppings. You can also slice the kernels off the cob and use them in various dishes.

To store, place the cooked kernels in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave for a quick, tasty side dish.

Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and serving options to find your favorite way to enjoy air-fried sweetcorn!

How to cook sweetcorn in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 4 ears of fresh corn
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil (vegetable, olive, or other neutral-flavoured oil)
• Butter (optional)
• Seasoning (optional)

Method

• Choose your corn. Look for fresh ears with green husks and moist silk, as these are indicators of quality.
• Shuck the corn and clean off any fine silks/hairs that remain.
• Use a very sharp knife to trim the tops and ends off the cobs if necessary to fit inside the air fryer basket.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F (180-200°C).
• Drizzle or brush the corn with oil and season with salt and pepper, or your chosen seasoning.
• Place the corn in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked or touching.
• Air fry for 8-15 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Serve with butter, salt, and pepper, or your desired toppings.

Tips

• If your corn on the cob doesn't fit in your air fryer, try cutting it in half lengthwise, or breaking it into two halves.
• You can also cook frozen corn in the air fryer. Simply thaw it first or add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Be sure to check your corn halfway through cooking to ensure it doesn't burn.

How to store cooked sweetcorn

Storing cooked sweetcorn is a great way to preserve its flavour and texture, and there are several methods you can use. Here is a detailed guide on how to store cooked sweetcorn:

Refrigerating Cooked Sweetcorn:

• Allow the cooked sweetcorn to cool to room temperature.
• Place the cooked sweetcorn in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
• Store it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Freezing Cooked Sweetcorn:

• Spread the cooked sweetcorn kernels in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the kernels are frozen solid.
• Transfer the frozen kernels to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label the container with the date.
• Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Canning Cooked Sweetcorn:

• Prepare a pressure canner according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Fill sterilized canning jars with the cooked sweetcorn kernels, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
• Add boiling water or a brine solution to the jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
• Secure the lids on the jars tightly.
• Process the jars in the pressure canner according to the canner's instructions, typically for about 1 hour.
• Allow the jars to cool, then store them in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.

Other Tips for Storing Cooked Sweetcorn:

• To extend the shelf life of cooked sweetcorn, you can also add some lemon juice or vinegar to the storage container.
• If you notice any mould or an off smell, discard the sweetcorn immediately.

How to reheat sweetcorn in the air fryer

Yes, you can reheat sweetcorn in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Before you begin, ensure your air fryer is clean and ready to use. If you have just cooked something else in it, allow it to cool down first.

Step 2: Prepare the Sweetcorn

Choose the sweetcorn you want to reheat. You can reheat frozen or fresh sweetcorn. If using fresh sweetcorn, shuck the corn and clean off any fine silks or hairs that remain. If necessary, trim the tops and ends of the cobs to ensure they fit inside your air fryer basket.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so you may need to adjust accordingly.

Step 4: Season the Sweetcorn

Place the sweetcorn cobs in a baking dish and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, melted butter, or vegetable oil. You can also add salt and pepper, or any other seasonings you like. Roll the corn cobs in the dish or use tongs to coat them evenly with the oil and seasonings.

Step 5: Air Fry the Sweetcorn

Arrange the sweetcorn cobs in the air fryer basket. They can touch but should not be stacked on top of each other. Air fry for around 8-15 minutes, or until tender, rotating the cobs halfway through. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and the number of corn cobs, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the sweetcorn is heated through and slightly caramelized, transfer the cobs to plates and serve. You can sprinkle grated parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like parsley on top, or simply enjoy them as-is.

Reheating sweetcorn in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy your leftover corn. This method helps retain the corn's moisture and taste, so you can savor the sweet, juicy kernels all over again!

Frequently asked questions