Air Fryer Southwestern Roasted Corn

Skip those boring side dishes on Mexican night, and make this Southwestern Roasted Corn instead. Quick Air Fryer Southwestern Roasted corn recipe is slightly sweet from the corn, tangy from the cheese, and spicy with the jalapeños.

Why You're Going To Love Southwestern Roasted Corn

There's not much better in life than some amazing vegetables with cheese. Southwestern Roasted Corn is an amazing recipe you can make right in your Air Fryer.

Okay, confession time. I was trying to get lovely roasted corn in my air fryer. That didn’t work out so well. But once I tasted this, I found I didn’t really care about my original plans because this might have been better than what I’d been planning.

What really makes this dish, is the addition of fresh cheese and herbs at the end. If you hate cilantro, add parsley or whatever else you want. But that final burst of freshness and tang, with the cheese melting ever so slightly from the heat of the vegetables---mmm yum!

I also found that you're better off using frozen corn. Not only is it faster than having to defrost the corn, but it also allows the corn to cook slower than the other vegetables so they all get done simultaneously.

Is It Healthy To Eat Roasted Corn?

What is "healthy" for one person may not be healthy for someone else. It's always important to consider your dietary restrictions before digging into a new recipe.

That being said, corn is loaded with Vitamin C and is great for eye health. It is also fairly low in calories and extremely filling. So, if you're looking for a low calorie side dish, roasted corn is a fantastic option.

Is It Better To Boil Or Roast Corn?

Honestly, it all depends on your personal preference. I love corn, no matter how it is prepared. If you're looking for a great side dish to pair with your favorite Mexican main course, roasted corn is definitely the way to go.

Roasted corn is full of flavor, perfectly sweet, and adds an unexpected element of texture to your plate.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Frozen Corn Kernels
• Onions, chopped
• Diced mixed bell peppers
• Diced jalapeno pepper
• Ground Cumin
• Lemon Juice
• Kosher Salt
• Ancho Chile Powder
• Queso fresco
• Chopped Cilantro or Parsley
• Lemon Juice

How To Make Roasted Corn

1. In a large bowl, combine corn, onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos, and stir.
2. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and add all the spices. The lemon juice will help the dry spices stick to the vegetables.
3. Pour the spiced vegetables into the air fryer basket.
4. Set your air fryer to 400F for 10 minutes and stir halfway. 
5. Add queso fresco (or cotija, or feta cheese), chopped cilantro, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and mix well before serving. 

How Long Does It Last?

This roasted corn recipe is great to make as part of your weekly meal preparation. If kept in an air tight container in the refrigerator, you can expect it to stay delicious for up to 5 days after it is prepared.

What Do You Eat With Roasted Corn?

Southwestern Roasted Corn is a terrific side dish to pair with a multitude of proteins. Pick from one of my favorite Mexican main courses to serve it with:

• Mexican Pulled Pork
• Chile Relleno Casserole
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Check out these other awesome vegetable side dish recipes!

• Instant Pot Green Beans
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

If you love this roasted corn recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can try it too!