Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob is one of the easiest ways to make a quick vegetable side dish. There is no need to thaw the corn first, and the air fryer gives the corn tender kernels with lightly roasted edges. Add butter, salt, and your favorite seasonings, and you have an easy side dish ready in about 15 minutes.
Frozen corn on the cob is especially convenient when fresh corn is not in season. Keep a bag in your freezer, and you can have a simple vegetable side dish ready whenever you need one.
Frozen foods like this corn on the cob are great in the air fryer. Also, check out this link for frozen food ideas - Best Air Fryer Frozen Foods, or Air Fryer Frozen Chicken.
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Why This Works
The air fryer is perfect for cooking frozen corn on the cob because it circulates hot air around the corn while it cooks. This helps the outside develop a little color while the kernels become tender.
The best part is that you do not need to thaw frozen corn on the cob before air frying it. Cooking it directly from frozen makes this recipe incredibly convenient for busy weeknights.
Butter also helps the corn brown slightly while adding plenty of flavor. A little salt is all you need for classic corn on the cob, but you can easily change the seasonings depending on what you are serving with it.
Ingredients Needed
- Frozen Corn on the Cob: You can cook the corn straight from frozen, so there is no need to thaw it first.
- Melted Butter: Butter coats the corn and helps the seasoning stick while adding rich, buttery flavor.
- Kinder's Garlic Butter Seasoning: This adds garlic, buttery flavor, and savory seasoning to every bite. It's an easy shortcut for getting lots of flavor without measuring several individual spices.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle Parmesan over the hot corn for a salty, savory finish that pairs perfectly with the garlic butter seasoning.
How to Make Frozen Corn on the Cob in Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the frozen corn on the cob into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning the corn halfway through. Brush the hot corn generously with melted butter.
Sprinkle with Kinder's Garlic Butter seasoning.
Add a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Return the corn to the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the Parmesan is warm and lightly toasted. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and melted butter if desired.
Cooking times can vary depending on the size of the corn and your particular air fryer.
Do You Need to Use Foil for Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer?
You’ll often see recipes online telling you to wrap your corn on the cob (frozen or fresh) tightly in aluminum foil before putting it in the air fryer. While the intention might be to keep things clean or lock in moisture, foil actually works against you:
It ruins the texture: Steaming corn makes it mushy rather than crisp-tender. To get that authentic grilled flavor, the heat needs direct contact with the kernels.
Pro Tips for Frozen Corn on the Cob
Do not thaw the corn first. Cooking it directly from frozen keeps this recipe quick and easy.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If you are cooking several ears, work in batches if necessary.
Turn the corn halfway through cooking for more even browning.
Want crispy, roasted edges? Leave the corn in the air fryer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing
Store leftover Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the corn back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 to 5 minutes, turning once. You can brush it with a little additional butter before reheating.
I do not recommend refreezing cooked corn on the cob because the texture can become watery and less tender.
Serving Suggestions
Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob makes an easy side dish for so many meals. Serve it alongside air fryer chicken, burgers, steak, pork chops, grilled chicken, or your favorite barbecue recipes.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
Variations to Try
For a Mexican-inspired version, add chili powder, lime juice, and cotija cheese. For garlic Parmesan corn, sprinkle the hot corn with Parmesan cheese and extra garlic powder.
You can also serve it with a simple dinner of roasted potatoes and chicken for an easy weeknight meal.
Recipe FAQS
Yes! That is one of the best things about this recipe. Place the frozen corn directly into the air fryer and cook until hot and tender.
Yes! That is one of the best things about this recipe. Place the frozen corn directly into the air fryer and cook until hot and tender.
At 400 degrees F, frozen corn generally takes about 12 to 15 minutes. Larger ears may require a few extra minutes.
No. There is no need to boil the corn first. The air fryer can cook the corn directly from frozen.
Absolutely. Olive oil, avocado oil, or another cooking oil can be used instead of butter.
The corn should be heated all the way through, tender when pierced with a fork, and lightly browned in spots.
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Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob is an easy side dish made with frozen corn, melted butter, Kinder's Garlic Butter seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. There is no need to thaw the corn first, making this a quick and flavorful air fryer vegetable recipe that's ready in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
6 ears frozen corn on the cob
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon Kinder's Garlic Butter seasoning, or to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Place the frozen corn on the cob in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning the corn halfway through cooking.
Remove the corn from the air fryer and brush each ear generously with melted butter.
Sprinkle the corn with Kinder's Garlic Butter seasoning.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the corn.
Return the corn to the air fryer and cook for 1 to 2 additional minutes, until the Parmesan is warm and lightly toasted.
Notes
There is no need to thaw the corn before air frying.
Air fryer cooking times can vary depending on the size of the corn and the model of air fryer.
Add more or less Kinder's Garlic Butter seasoning according to your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
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