How to roast corn on the cob

Aluminum foil should be avoided whenever possible so why not use husks! Soak for a few minutes in water, pull open a side and add butter and seasonings . More and more Studies show the dangers to our health from aluminum.

 

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Patricia R.

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How to roast corn on the cob

Do you actually wrap the corn in the foil or leave the foil open as the picture shows? Sorry, I’m a literal cook - words say one thing, photo shows another. Thanks

 

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gailj

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How to roast corn on the cob

Pretty good, I bought 7 ears of corn as HEB was having a sale that you get 7 for a buck! I used spray butter and original Lawry’s seasoning salt and they came out great! I did go up to about 35ish minutes though, as others suggested. I think that’s the only change to make to the recipe is just add a bit more time to the roast/bake process.

 

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Daniel E.

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How to roast corn on the cob

Do not remove the husk. By leaving the husk on the corner is super sweet

 

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Mark H.

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How to roast corn on the cob

You can just leave the corn in the husks and throw it in the oven. The husk insulates and comes right off after baking. No need for foil. The husk will get very dark and crispy looking, don't worry the corn inside is fine.

 

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JENNIFER T.

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How to roast corn on the cob

Much better than water-logged cobs boiled in water. Do remember to place a baking sheet underneath to catch any butter that may seep through the foil. Thanks for sharing a great technique! :)

 

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2Bleu

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How to roast corn on the cob

I'd recommend keeping them in the oven for at least 35-40 minutes. Open the foil wrap after 20 mins so they catch a little "tan") I buttered them in olive oil and garlic salt. Worked out GREAT. Will not waste bottled water to boil corn ever again.

 

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Kate G.

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How to roast corn on the cob

Simple is throw the ears in oven with husks and cook for 30min. Works everytime, much easier to de-husk afterwards!

 

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Julie B.

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How to roast corn on the cob

It's just corn with butter. Try rubbing some mayo on it when it's done then sprinkle with anchovies chili powder and feta cheese

Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.

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updated Aug 6, 2022

Here's how to make your sweet corn tastier with just your oven — whether it is husk on or off.

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How to roast corn on the cob

(Image credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Of all the ways we cook corn, none is more underrated than roasting. Boiling is the quintessential method, while microwaving and grilling corn on the cob hold their own as cool alternatives.

Yet roasting corn in the oven is like unlocking its hidden sweetness and earthy flavor in a totally hands-off way. Even better? There’s more than one way to do it right. You can roast corn with the husk on, the husk off, or wrapped in foil depending on who you’re feeding.

Here are the three simplest methods to roast corn in the oven and what to expect (hint: lots of flavor) from each.

How to roast corn on the cob

(Image credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Why Roasted Corn Is Always Worth It

Here’s why heating up the oven for a few ears of corn will always be worth it: Roasting brings out a crisp sweetness in corn. Roasting with or without the husk contributes to browning, which adds another layer of flavor (think: caramel-like richness) and doesn’t require the tending that grilling does.

Bottom line, roasting is ideal for cooking corn in the oven when you need to cook a lot of it while preparing other food. There are three ways you can roast corn in the oven, and each will give you a slightly different result.

How to roast corn on the cob

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Roasting Corn in the Husk

This is my personal favorite way to roast corn in the oven. All you need to do is trim the silk at the top of each cob and set the cobs on an oven rack. The husk will dry and pull away in the oven, browning a few of the kernels but also making removing the husk even easier after cooking. The taste is subtly sweet and less caramelized than roasting the corn without the husk.

This method is best for: When you don’t have a lot of prep time for husking and want to get the corn started right away. Done in about 30 minutes.

How to roast corn on the cob

(Image credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Roasting Corn Without the Husk

Roasting plain, husked cobs (no worries, it’s easy to shuck and clean corn!) in the oven creates the most caramelized corn in the oven, but also makes for chewier, drier corn. The corn will cook more quickly than the other two methods, but is prone to drying out — so this is corn you’ll want to serve with lots of butter or a creamy sauce.

This method is great for: Grilled flavor without a grill. Make sure you have a sauce, butter, or cheese ready to combat dryness. Done in 25 minutes.

How to roast corn on the cob

(Image credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Roasting Corn in Foil (with Butter!)

This method is for all you butter bath corn enthusiasts out there. Husk the corn, wrap it in foil with a dab of butter, and roast the little packets of corn goodness until tender. These corn cobs will essentially steam inside the foil, creating a corn that is both tender and sweet.

Try this when: You’re cooking and serving corn for a crowd and you also need to keep the corn warm for serving later. Done in 30 minutes.

Serving Roasted Corn

Roasted corn needs little more than butter, salt, and maybe a few cracks of black pepper, but if you need a few more ideas, these are 12 of our favorite corn on the cob toppings.

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How to Make Oven Roasted Corn: 3 Simple Methods (Image credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani)

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3 Simple Methods to Oven-Roast Corn

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How To Make Oven-Roasted Corn: 3 Simple Methods

How to roast corn on the cob

Print Recipe

Here's how to make your sweet corn tastier with just your oven — whether it is husk on or off.

YieldServes 4

Show Nutrition

  • wheat-free
  • low-fat
  • fish-free
  • peanut-free
  • vegetarian
  • shellfish-free
  • pork-free
  • pescatarian
  • gluten-free
  • tree-nut-free
  • soy-free
  • egg-free
  • low-sodium
  • red-meat-free
  • alcohol-free

Per serving, based on 4 servings. (% daily value)

  • Calories 88
  • Fat 1.4 g (2.1%)
  • Saturated 0.3 g (1.7%)
  • Carbs 19.1 g (6.4%)
  • Fiber 2.0 g (8.2%)
  • Sugars 6.4 g
  • Protein 3.3 g (6.7%)
  • Sodium 15.3 mg (0.6%)
How to roast corn on the cob

Ingredients

  • 4 ears

    fresh corn

  • 2 tablespoons

    unsalted butter (optional)

Equipment

  • Aluminum foil

  • Kitchen shears

Instructions

Method 1: Roasting corn in the husk

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Trim and partially shuck the corn. Use kitchen shears or a chef’s knife to trim the top of the corn, cut the tassels, and remove the first layer of husk.

  3. Roast the corn directly on the rack for 30 minutes. Place the corn directly on the oven rack and roast until the husk is brown and pulling away from the corn, about 30 minutes.

  4. Cool and shuck the corn before serving. Set the corn aside until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Remove the husk and silk and serve.

Method 2: Roasting corn out of the husk

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.

  2. Shuck the corn. Remove the husk and silk from the corn.

  3. Roast the corn directly on the rack for 25 minutes. Place the corn directly on the oven rack and roast until golden-brown, about 25 minutes. Set the corn aside until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.

Method 3: Roasting corn in aluminum foil

  1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

  2. Shuck the corn and wrap in foil with butter. Remove the husk and silk from the corn. Wrap each ear of corn in a 6-inch piece of aluminum foil — add 1/2 tablespoon butter to each package if desired.

  3. Roast for 30 minutes. Roast the foil-wrapped cobs directly on the rack for 30 minutes. Set the foil-wrapped corn aside until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes, before serving.

    How do you roast corn?

    Remove the husk and silk from the corn. Wrap each ear of corn in a 6-inch piece of aluminum foil — add 1/2 tablespoon butter to each package if desired. Roast for 30 minutes. Roast the foil-wrapped cobs directly on the rack for 30 minutes.

    How do you bake corn in the oven?

    Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 400°F. Leave the corn on the cob with its husks and silks attached. Arrange the corn on the oven rack lengthwise and spaced 1 inch apart. Roast for 30 minutes.

    Do you have to soak corn before roasting?

    No, it does not have to be soaked before grilling. However, if you are grilling your corn in the husk, it's a good idea to soak your corn so that the husks do not burn or catch fire.

    Is it better to boil or roast corn?

    Roasted Corn is Better than Boiled: The Evidence Complex carbs in their natural state tend to be lower on the glycemic index than foods containing simple carbohydrates, thus tasting less sweet. If you bit into an ear of corn before it was cooked, you wouldn't taste much sweetness at all.