Baked Corn: A Step-by-Step Guide for Perfectly Roasted Corn on the Cob

If you are a corn lover, then you definitely want to know how to make delicious corn in the oven. This method is not only super easy, but it also results in perfectly cooked and juicy corn. Plus, you don’t have to worry about boiling water and keeping an eye on the stove.

To get started, all you need is some fresh corn, butter, salt, and pepper. It’s important to use fresh corn for the best results. Look for ears with green husks and moist silks. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you can preheat your oven and get ready to make some mouth-watering corn. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious dish in no time!

10 Easy Steps to Make Corn in the Oven

Are you ready to elevate your corn game? Oven-baked corn brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable, making it a delicious complement to BBQs and other summer meals. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious corn in the oven!

1. Choose the Right Corn

The first step to making perfect oven-baked corn is selecting the right corn. It’s best to opt for fresh, in-season corn. Look for corn with fresh green husks that are tightly wrapped around the cob. It should feel firm to the touch and the silk strands should be light golden in colour.

2. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) while you prepare the corn.

3. Shuck the Corn

Remove the outer husks and silk from each ear of corn, but keep some of the inner layers of husks attached to hold in the moisture while roasting.

4. Season the Corn

Brush each ear of corn with melted butter or olive oil, and sprinkle it with salt, garlic powder, and paprika to taste. Mix the seasoning with your hands to make sure each ear is covered evenly.

5. Wrap the Corn in Foil

Wrap each ear of corn tightly in a piece of foil, ensuring that the husks remain intact to prevent the corn from drying out in the oven.

6. Place the Wrapped Corn on a Baking Sheet

Arrange the wrapped corn on a baking sheet and place it in the oven. Bake the corn for 25-30 minutes, or until the kernels are tender.

7. Add Cheese (Optional)

If you love cheesy corn, unwrap the foil and sprinkle some grated parmesan or cheddar cheese on top of the corn. Return it to the oven without the foil for another 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

8. Garnish with Herbs

Once the corn is cooked and seasoned to your liking, remove it from the oven and sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or cilantro on top for some added flavour and colour.

9. Serve Hot

Remove the corn from the foil and serve hot with a pat of butter, freshly squeezed lemon, or any other condiment of your choice.

10. Enjoy!

Now that you know how to make perfect corn in the oven, it’s time to enjoy it alongside your favourite summer foods! Whether it’s burgers, hot dogs, or grilled chicken, the sweet and juicy oven-baked corn will complement any meal perfectly.

Preparing the Corn for Baking

If you want to enjoy a sweet and delicious ear of corn right out of the oven, there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure that it turns out perfectly. Here’s what you need to do:

Selecting the Best Corn

When selecting corn for baking, be sure to choose ears that feel heavy for their size and have bright green husks that are tightly wrapped around the kernels. Avoid ears that have brown, black or slimy spots, as these are signs of decay.

Shucking the Corn

Before you can bake your corn in the oven, you need to remove the husks and silks. Start by pulling back the outer husks of the corn, taking care not to tear them off completely. Once you have exposed the kernels, remove the silks by brushing them off the corn with a clean, dry towel.

Rinsing the Ears

After you have shucked the corn, rinse the ears under cool running water to remove any remaining silks. Be sure to dry the ears thoroughly with a paper towel or clean dishcloth before proceeding.

Seasoning the Corn

To enhance the flavor of your oven-baked corn, consider seasoning it with your favorite herbs and spices. Some popular options include butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Buttering the Ears

For an extra burst of flavor, you can also brush your corn with melted butter before baking. This will help the kernels stay moist and tender while cooking.

Wrapping the Corn

To keep your corn moist and prevent it from drying out during the baking process, you’ll want to wrap each ear individually in foil. Be sure to wrap each ear tightly, making sure there are no gaps or holes in the foil.

Placing the Corn in the Oven

Once your corn is prepared and seasoned to your liking, it’s time to bake it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the foil-wrapped ears directly on the middle rack. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the kernels are cooked through and tender.

Checking for Doneness

You can check if your corn is done by pulling back the foil a bit and poking a kernel with a fork. If it’s tender and cooked through, it’s ready to eat. If it’s still firm, rewrap the ear and cook it for a few more minutes.

Serving the Corn

Once your corn is baked to perfection, carefully remove the foil from each ear and serve it hot with your favorite sides. Whether you’re enjoying them with grilled meats, fresh salads, or other summer favorites, oven-baked corn on the cob is always a crowd-pleaser.

Storing Any Leftovers

If you have any leftover corn, wrap the ears back up in foil and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply wrap the ears in foil and bake them in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

3. Different Techniques for Roasting Corn in the Oven

Roasting corn in the oven is a versatile way to prepare corn on the cob. There are several techniques for roasting corn in the oven, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Here are a few different methods you can try:

1. Halved and Roasted

Halving the corn gives it more surface area that comes into contact with the heat. As a result, the corn gets roasted more thoroughly and evenly. Cut the corn in half crosswise. Brush with butter or oil and sprinkle with seasonings of your choice, such as salt, pepper, paprika, or garlic powder. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes until they look caramelized and golden-brown.

2. Husk-wrapped

In this method, you remove the outer layer of the husk but leave the inner layer intact. Brush with butter or oil and season. Wrap the corn in the inner husk layer, and then wrap in foil. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes at 375°F. This method lets the corn steam in its own juices and soak up seasonings’ flavor. It can be a little more time consuming, but it is worth the extra time for the rich flavor and pillow-like texture of the corn.

3. Bare Roasting

Removing the husk and silk from the corn lets the corn dry out more, leading to flavours being more concentrated. Brush with butter or oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t forget to occasionally turn the corn or flip it over to avoid charring and ensure that each side roasts evenly.

4. Corn Skewers

Cut the corn into skewer-sized pieces, brush with oil or butter, season and skewer them for easier handling. For added zing, try using cilantro, lime, and chili seasoning. Roast in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally to get evenly roasted skewers.

5. Pre-Boiled

Boiling corn before roasting is a popular technique to ensure the corn gets cooked evenly. Cut corn into smaller pieces and boil for 5-10 minutes with a pinch of salt. Remove from the water, pat dry, and let it cool. Apply a mixture of butter, salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you like. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes or until they look caramelized and golden-brown.

There you have it, five simple and delicious techniques for roasting corn in the oven. Pick the one that suits you best and you’ll have that perfectly roasted corn in no time!

Time to Enjoy Your Oven-Roasted Corn!

Congratulations! You now know how to make delicious corn in the oven. We hope this article was helpful and that you found the instructions easy to follow. There’s something quite comforting about oven-roasted corn that makes it so irresistible, and we hope you feel the same way too. Don’t forget to thank your farmer for the fresh corn cob, and remember to come back for more tasty recipes in the future. Happy cooking!