Air Fryer Crispy Corn

This air fryer crispy sweet corn recipe is roasted to perfection and tastes just like the Wingstop cajun fried corn. I think I definitely found the secret to making the best and easiest corn, and that is in the air fryer. Honestly, I was a little afraid that I would end up making popcorn, but I experimented a ton and air fryer corn comes out so crispy, tender and truly just better than another other corn. Have you ever had the Wingstop cajun corn, well this recipe is basically exactly that. But, I made it healthier and probably more delicious.

I have been more and more into corn lately, especially sweet corn. Is popcorn included in that? Because I have always been a popcorn gal. I have never loved corn on the cob, it is so difficult to eat. But I think I cracked the code. You have to cut it up first, it is easier to eat, you know, like cut the pieces of corn into two or three chunks. Plus, air fryer roasted corn will truly change your life.

Fun Fact

One of the times that I made this cajun fried corn, my husband was putting up our new ceiling fan. He said he didn't need my help for a little. I decided to make a little appetizer with some of the corn that I had. Of course, it had to be air fryer crispy corn. It really does not take long to make this corn, just about 15 minutes. But as it was finishing up, he of course needed my help. But it was too late. The corn had sucked me in and there was no going back. I was in a corn trance, just devouring them all. It all worked out, I got my fan and my corn!

This recipe can be easily doubled, tripled, or more, for a crowd. However, it can also be modified for just one person. These made great leftover too, I stored them in the fridge. Then, I just popped them back in the air fryer for a couple minutes the next day until they were warm again.

How could you not want to just devour this. You can see how some of the corn got roasted to perfection in the air fryer while some stay nice and tender. It is truly the best way to make corn. This air fryer sweet corn is PERFECT with my homemade greek yogurt ranch. Trust me, you have to try them together.

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What You Need to Make Air Fryer Crispy Corn

Make air fryer roasted corn in the air fryer, it is truly the best. First off, you will need an air fryer, you can use a rack type air fryer but I really like a basket type air fryer for this recipe. Air fryer corn is really the best way I have ever had corn; however, if you do not have an air fryer, that is okay. There are many other ways to make corn. You can bake it in the oven, a pressure cooker, grill, tons of options that we will go over later.

Now, for the actual ingredients, it is pretty simple. You will just need some corn, butter and seasonings.

• Corn
• Cooking spray
• Light margarine
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Ground red pepper
• Cumin

Information and Substitutions

Cutting corn is such a pain. I grabbed these mini corns that are already the perfect size for this recipe. However, you can just buy ears of corn and cut them yourself. If you are cutting the corn yourself, first, cut off the skinny ends. This will ensure that everything cooks evenly, the skinny ends will burn to a crisp. Then, just cut the corn in half evenly, you will get two good mini corn pieces per ear of corn.

The key for air fryer crispy corn is cooking spray. This will mimic actual deep frying, without all the oil. Typically, I use a butter flavored one because it just adds more butter flavor.

I always have and use light margarine. My favorite is ICBINB, the light one. However, if you do not want to use margarine, or just have something else that you like, you can certainly use that. It does not matter too much.

For the seasonings, I am a wimp. Let's just put that out there right now. Yes, this is an air fried cajun corn recipe, but I am a wimp. It is a bit spicy, but if you cannot handle your spice, like me, you will probably be able to eat this just fine. However, if you want something spicier, increase the ground red pepper in the recipe.

If you just want this recipe for the air fryer corn part and not the cajun seasonings, just cook the corn and use it for anything you need. The air fryer crispy corn is great with lots of toppings.

How to Make Air Fryer Crispy Corn

First, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Then, cut up the ears of corn. Cut off the skinny ends, you want to make sure the corn is pretty even in width to cook evenly. The skinny ends would just burn to a crisp. Cut off the skinny ends, then cut the remaining corn in half. You will get two good pieces of corn per ear.

Spray the corn with cooking spray, then air fry for about 13 minutes, or until your desired crispiness. Every 5 minutes, flip and spray the corn with more cooking spray.

Meanwhile, melt the margarine in a medium sized pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook until it reaches a nice golden color, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the seasonings, mixing to combine.

For the seasonings, I am a wimp. Let's just put that out there right now. Yes, this is an air fried cajun corn recipe, but I am a wimp. It is a bit spicy, but if you cannot handle your spice, like me, you will probably be able to eat this just fine. However, if you want something spicier, increase the ground red pepper in the recipe.

Once the corn is done, add it to the pan and toss the pieces in the butter sauce. Serve with ranch and enjoy!

Alternative Cooking Methods

Air fryer sweet corn is really the best way I have ever had corn; however, if you do not have an air fryer, that is okay. There are many other ways to make corn. The instructions will start off the same, making sure the cut the corn in half and cutting off the skinny ends. Then, you can bake it in the oven, a pressure cooker, grill, tons of options that we will go over now.

Oven

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Wrap each piece of corn in aluminum foil and place on a baking tray. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, until done. Make sure to turn the corn over halfway through.

Instant Pot

Add a cup of water to the bottom of the pressure cooker. Place the rack in. Set the corn straight up and pressure cook for 3-4 minutes.

Grill

Alternatively, you can grill the corn for about 15 minutes. Make sure to soak the corn in water for 15 minutes before, as to not catch it on fire.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Crispy Corn

You need to try this with ranch, either store bought or my healthy homemade ranch. I know it seems weird but I promise, it makes this recipe that much better. If you want to keep up the spice, try my spicy ranch, the recipe is in this one.

If you are going for a good copycat Wingstop cajun corn recipe, obviously serve this with some wings! I have an amazing crispy cornstarch chicken wing recipe. Seriously, the best and only chicken wing recipe you will want or need. You can also try my boneless wings recipe if you are more into those.

If going a little healthier, try this out with my Mexican street corn recipe, you cannot have too much corn! If keeping up with the spice, I have two cajun recipes, a cajun chicken Alfredo or an instant pot chicken cajun boil.

Loving air fried vegetables? Try out my ranch carrot bites.

Video Tutorial

Are you more of a visual learner? Watch my video tutorial then come back here for detailed ingredients and instruction.

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Air Fryer Crispy Corn

This air fryer crispy sweet corn recipe is roasted to perfection and tastes just like the Wingstop cajun fried corn. I think I definitely found the secret to making the best and easiest corn, and that is in the air fryer.

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Want to know how many WW points this is? Click the link and it will automatically calculate the points for you. You can see that I only have 2.5 pieces of corn in there because we cut off the skinny ends and do not use three whole ears of corn.