Air-Fried Corn Muffins: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Corn muffins are a delicious treat, and they're even better when made in an air fryer! This cooking method gives them a golden, fluffy texture in just 15 minutes. You can use a boxed corn muffin mix or make them from scratch with simple ingredients like flour, cornmeal, eggs, milk, and butter. The air fryer ensures even cooking and a moist, tender crumb. Plus, you can get creative with add-ins like cheese, jalapeños, or bacon. So, get your air fryer ready and enjoy the perfect corn muffins as a side dish, breakfast, or snack!

Choosing the right ingredients

Corn Muffin Mix

The first step is to choose a good-quality corn muffin mix. You can opt for a classic option like the "JIFFY" Corn Muffin Mix, which is readily available and provides a quick and easy way to make corn muffins. This mix will give you golden, delicious muffins with a signature cornbread flavour and texture.

Eggs

Eggs are a crucial binding agent in your corn muffin batter. They help hold all the ingredients together, adding structure and richness to your muffins. Make sure you use large, room-temperature eggs for the best results.

Milk

Milk is another essential liquid ingredient in corn muffin recipes. It helps to keep your muffins moist and tender. For each box of corn muffin mix, you will typically need about 1/3 cup of milk. You can use regular milk or go for dairy-free alternatives like oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.

Vegetable Oil or Butter

Adding some fat to your corn muffin batter is necessary for moisture and tenderness. Vegetable oil is a popular choice and contributes to a soft, fluffy texture. Alternatively, you can use butter for a richer, more savoury flavour.

Sweeteners

Sweeteners like granulated sugar or honey can enhance the flavour of your corn muffins. They balance the savoury notes of the cornmeal and salt. If you prefer a low-sugar option, consider using a combination of granulated sugar and a sweetener like Splenda.

Cornmeal and Flour

Cornmeal is the star ingredient that gives corn muffins their distinctive flavour and texture. Look for stone-ground yellow cornmeal for the best results. All-purpose flour, either regular or gluten-free, is also necessary to provide structure and ensure your muffins hold together well.

Leavening Agents

Baking powder and baking soda are the leavening agents that help your corn muffins rise and become light and fluffy. They react with the acidity in the buttermilk (or other liquid ingredients) to create a softer, more airy texture.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk adds a tangy flavour and moisture to your corn muffins. It also reacts with the baking soda to give your muffins a nice lift. If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk.

Salt

Salt enhances the flavour of your corn muffins and brings out the sweetness of the corn. It's an essential ingredient to balance all the flavours in your muffins.

Optional Add-Ins

While not necessary, you can experiment with add-ins like shredded cheese, diced jalapeños, crumbled bacon, or corn kernels. These ingredients can take your corn muffins to the next level, adding extra flavour and texture. Just be sure to limit the amount to about 1/2 cup to avoid weighing down your batter.

Combining the ingredients

To make corn muffins in an air fryer, you'll need to combine the ingredients to form a batter. The specific ingredients and quantities will vary depending on the recipe you're following, but here's a general guide on combining the ingredients for corn muffins in an air fryer:

First, gather all the ingredients required for your corn muffin recipe. This may include dry ingredients such as corn muffin mix, flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and baking soda, as well as wet ingredients like milk, buttermilk, eggs, oil, honey, and vanilla extract.

Next, prepare two separate mixing bowls: one for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients. Start by combining the dry ingredients in one bowl. This typically includes items like flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder, and any other dry flavour additions such as sugar or spices. Whisk or stir these ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly distributed.

In the other bowl, combine the wet ingredients. This may include milk, buttermilk, eggs, oil, honey, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well incorporated and form a homogeneous mixture.

Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. You can do this by slowly pouring the dry mixture into the wet mixture while continuously stirring or whisking to avoid lumps. Keep mixing until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet ones. It's important not to overmix at this stage, as it can lead to dense and tough muffins. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.

At this point, you can gently fold in any additional ingredients, such as corn kernels or mix-ins like shredded cheese, diced jalapeños, or crumbled bacon. Again, be gentle and avoid overmixing the batter.

Once your batter is ready, let it rest for a few minutes. This step helps the batter settle and ensures your muffins will have a tender crumb. While the batter is resting, you can preheat your air fryer to the temperature specified in your recipe, typically around 325°F to 350°F.

Now you're ready to fill the muffin cups and place them in the air fryer!

Preparing the air fryer

Before you start making your corn muffins, it's important to prepare your air fryer to ensure optimal cooking results. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at a temperature of 325°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. Preheating is crucial for even cooking and will give your muffins a golden-brown exterior and a moist interior.
• Prepare your muffin cups: Use standard-size silicone muffin cups or liners. You can also use paper liners, but avoid placing them directly into the air fryer basket as they can blow around. Instead, put them in a sturdy container or, better yet, use silicone cups for easier removal and cleanup. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full to allow room for the muffins to rise.
• Place the muffin cups in the air fryer basket: Leave some space between each muffin cup to allow for proper air circulation during cooking.
• Experiment with add-ins (optional): If you want to get creative, you can add mix-ins like shredded cheese, diced jalapeños, or crumbled bacon to your muffin batter. Just be sure to limit the total amount of mix-ins to ½ cup.

Once you've completed these steps, your air fryer will be ready for cooking your delicious corn muffins!

Cooking the muffins

First, preheat your air fryer to 325°F (or 350°F) for 3-5 minutes.

Next, prepare your muffin mix. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: buttermilk, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and eggs. You can also add corn kernels for texture and flavour. Mix until well combined, but be careful not to overmix—a few lumps are okay.

Now, it's time to fill your muffin cups. Lightly coat the interior of standard-sized silicone muffin cups with oil spray, or use paper liners if you prefer. Fill each cup about two-thirds full, leaving room for the muffins to rise. Place the filled cups in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between each muffin for proper air circulation.

Cook your muffins at 325°F (or 350°F) for 7-10 minutes (or 12-15 minutes) until they are golden brown. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the centre of a muffin—if it comes out clean, your muffins are ready!

Once cooked, carefully remove the muffins from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your freshly made corn muffins!

Storing and reheating the muffins

Storing and reheating corn muffins is simple! Here is a detailed guide to ensure your muffins stay fresh and delicious.

Storing Corn Muffins:

Firstly, allow your muffins to cool down completely. This is an important step as hot muffins release moisture, which can make them soggy during storage. Once cooled, you can store them in an airtight container. It is best to use a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent any air from spoiling your muffins.

If you plan to eat your muffins within a few days, storing them at room temperature is fine. They will stay fresh for up to four days. However, if you want to keep them for longer, it is best to refrigerate or freeze them.

To store in the fridge, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap or foil to retain moisture and prevent odours from affecting their flavour. Then, place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

For longer storage, freezing is a great option. Again, ensure your muffins are completely cool, then wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Place the wrapped muffins in a thick freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bag with the date and contents. Frozen corn muffins can be stored for up to three months and are a great way to enjoy freshly baked treats for weeks!

Reheating Corn Muffins:

There are several ways to reheat your corn muffins, each resulting in a slightly different texture. Here are some of the most popular methods:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Sprinkling the muffins with a little water before reheating will help to add moisture, especially if they are stale. Cover the muffins with foil and place them in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes. For a crispy top, remove the foil for the last few minutes of heating.
• Microwave: While the microwave is a quick option, it may not produce the best texture. Wrapping the muffin in a damp paper towel before microwaving can help retain moisture. Heat the muffin in 15-20 second intervals, checking the temperature as you go to avoid overcooking.
• Stovetop: For a buttery, crunchy texture, the stovetop method is perfect for denser muffins like cornbread. Heat a skillet or frying pan on medium heat and melt a pat of butter. Coat the muffins in the butter and cook for a few minutes on each side until heated through and golden brown.
• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the muffins in the air fryer basket and heat for 2 to 3 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent overcooking. Smaller muffins will heat through faster, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Toaster: Slice the muffins lengthways into portions that fit into your toaster slots. Set the toaster to a low to medium heat setting and toast until warmed through with a slightly toasted exterior.

Now you know how to store and reheat your corn muffins, you can enjoy them fresh and delicious every time!

Frequently asked questions