If you husked more corn than you consumed in a sitting and are wondering if you can microwave corn on the cob without husks, you’ve come to the right place.
Yes, you can microwave corn on the cob without the husk, and the process will take five minutes or less. Best of all, you only need two supplemental materials—a paper towel and a microwave-safe plate.
We’ll guide you through the process of microwaving corn on the cob without a husk that’ll leave it tasting as good as the day you freshly husked it.
Jump to:
- How To Microwave Corn on the Cob Without the Husk
- Step 1: Protect the Corn Kernels
- Step 2: Place the Corn on a Microwaveable Plate
- Step 3: Microwave for a Few Minutes
- Step 4: Check Your Corn on the Cob
- How Long To Microwave Corn on the Cob without Husk?
- How Long Does It Take To Microwave 4 Ears of Corn on the Cob without Husk?
- Can Corn Husks Go in the Microwave?
- Are You Ready To Enjoy Your Corn on the Cob?
How To Microwave Corn on the Cob Without the Husk
Microwaving corn on the cob without the husk has benefits, as it’s less messy than heating corn with husks. However, it is not the only method you can use to heat your corn. Using your stove is also an option, yet it will not be as quick.
Since you've already cooked the kernels, husk-free corn on the cob also requires less time than when you first made it. So, your microwaved corn on the cob will be ready to eat within minutes.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to microwave corn on the cob without the husk.
Step 1: Protect the Corn Kernels
Protecting the corn kernels from drying as you microwave your corn on the cob is essential.
We won’t get too scientific on you, but microwaves operate by forcing the water molecules in your corn to vibrate. The result is heat production as a result of water friction. However, it can also cause some of the moisture from corn on the cob to evaporate.
For this reason, you should wet a paper towel and either lay it on top or wrap it around your corn on the cob. That way, your microwave will still be able to work its magic by heating your corn on the cob all the way through without you biting into shriveled kernels. The corn will remain as plump as when you first cooked it.
Another advantage of wrapping your corn on the cob in a damp paper towel is that it aids in even cooking, thanks to the steam trapped inside.
Step 2: Place the Corn on a Microwaveable Plate
Choosing a microwave-safe plate is essential when heating corn on the cob without a husk. You have many options to choose from, including:
- Glass-ceramic
- Heatproof glass
- Most paper plates
- Wax paper
- Parchment paper
When choosing a material for microwaving your corn on the cob, look for a label showing it’s microwave-safe. Should you use a disposable item, such as paper plates or napkins, always choose a white, print-free variety.
Step 3: Microwave for a Few Minutes
The average time to microwave corn on the cob without the husk is four to five minutes on high heat. That said, various factors impact microwave time, including:
- The quality of your microwave
- The temperature of the corn on the cob pre-cooking
- Your altitude
You read that right—altitude impacts how fast your corn on the cob will cook. Because liquids evaporate faster at higher elevations, microwaving corn on the cob at sea level will typically heat through more quickly than if you live high in a mountain range.
Step 4: Check Your Corn on the Cob
It’s always best to set your microwave to a shorter time and gradually work your way to longer times when you’re experimenting with heating corn on the cob.
That’s because even damp paper towels aren’t a match for overheating and drying out your corn on the cob if you leave the microwave running for too long.
So, we recommend setting your microwave to two or three minutes to start. Then check your corn on the cob and increase it in increments of 30 to 60 seconds, according to what you see fit.
Once you experiment with heating corn on the cob without a husk the first time around, jot down the time it takes so that you can immediately set it to that in the future.
As an interesting side note, another advantage of not overdoing how long you heat corn on the cob is that you’ll help it retain more nutrients. That’s because the longer nutrients have heat exposure, the faster they break down.
So, striking the right balance between heating through your corn on the cob but not overheating it will help you get more nutritional benefits.
How Long To Microwave Corn on the Cob without Husk?
It typically takes four to five minutes to microwave corn on the cob without husks. However, the exact time will depend on whether you’re heating the corn from room temperature or if it’s cold from the fridge. Furthermore, altitude and the quality of your microwave play a role.
How Long Does It Take To Microwave 4 Ears of Corn on the Cob without Husk?
As with single ears of corn, it takes around four to five minutes to microwave four ears of corn on the cob without husks. That said, it’s crucial to lay the corn cobs side by side instead of stacking them on top of each other. Doing so allows them to heat more evenly.
Can Corn Husks Go in the Microwave?
Yes, corn husks can go in the microwave, and the cooking time is similar to husk-free corn. So, if you have a combination of husked and huskless corn on the cob, it’s safe to microwave them together, and they’ll be ready to eat around the same time.
Are You Ready To Enjoy Your Corn on the Cob?
You can stop staring at your garbage can with guilt—there’s no need to throw away already husked corn on the cob you can’t finish.
A damp paper towel is essential to microwave corn on the cob without husks. Doing so will produce corn cobs that retain moisture, flavor, and nutrients.
So, with a little trial and error to discover the ideal cooking time of your microwave, you’ll soon be able to enjoy your leftover corn.
