Looking for a fun and tasty side dish? Air Fryer corn ribs are the perfect solution! Not only do they taste amazing but the kids will think they are great too! Not a fan of Mexican street corn and Elote? Thats ok we have it covered for how you can customize your air fryer corn ribs too!
Air Fryer Elote Corn Ribs Recipe
I love having fun twists on things that we love in our house. Corn on the Cob is always a favorite in our house, so when the kids saw on tik tok Corn ribs they were all about making some and coming up with tasty creations.
This air fryer corn ribs recipe is easy to make and is a fun and tasty twist on the loved corn on the cob that everyone in my house loves. If you have corn on the cob loving folks in your house then you want to make this air fryer elote corn ribs recipe.
If you are not a fan of Mexican street corn, elote, or you just want to have a different flavor then what I am sharing, we have you covered with other corn rib flavor ideas too!
Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad
- Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad
- Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad
- Parmesan Garlic Sweet Potato Fries
What are Corn Ribs?
Corn ribs, also sometimes called corn riblets are a fun, trendy way to serve corn on the cob—cut into long, curved strips that resemble ribs. They’re typically seasoned and cooked until slightly crispy on the outside but still juicy on the inside.
Tips for Making Corn Ribs
While this recipe is one that is easy to make, there are somethings that you can do to make them turn out the best.
- Use Fresh Corn on the Cob. Choose fresh, firm ears of fresh sweet corn. Avoid overly mature corn, as it’s harder to cut and chewier when cooked.
- Microwave Corn for Easier Cutting. Microwave the whole ear (in the husk or wrapped in a damp paper towel) for 2–3 minutes. It softens the cob slightly and makes it safer and easier to slice into rib-like strips.
- Cut Carefully. Stand the cob vertically on a cutting board and use a sharp chef’s knife. Cut the cob in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half again to make quarters. Always cut on a stable surface and press down with control to avoid slipping.
- Season Generously
Toss the corn ribs in olive oil or melted butter, then coat with your choice of seasoning. - Preheat the Air Fryer. Preheat to 385°F to ensure a crisp exterior. Preheating helps the ribs cook more evenly and caramelize slightly on the edges.
- Don’t Overcrowd. Cook in a single layer. Overlapping the corn ribs can lead to uneven cooking and steaming instead of crisping.
- Cook Time. Air fry at 385°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should curl slightly and be golden brown on the edges.
Is there a cheese substitute for the cotija?
The cotija cheese can be substituted with unseasoned feta cheese as it has a similar taste.
Can I use Different Spices when making corn ribs?
Yes! You can totally change things up when you are making corn ribs and use that ever spices you want to. We love Mexican street corn so I was going with that flavor vibe when creating this recipe but you can easily change up the flavors.
Air Fryer Corn Rib Flavor Combination Ideas
If you want to change things up with your air fryer corn ribs there are lots of flavors to make. Here are some of the other flavor and spice combinations we have made.
- Chili Lime: Chili powder, lime zest, fresh lime juice, garlic powder, sea salt.
- Buffalo Style: Toss in buffalo sauce after air frying, top with crumbled blue cheese and parsley.
- Spicy Chipotle: Chipotle powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo.
- Garlic Parmesan: Garlic butter, grated Parmesan, parsley, and cracked black pepper.
- Cheddar Jalapeño: Melted cheddar, thin jalapeño slices, and a sprinkle of paprika.
- Honey Sriracha: A glaze of honey and sriracha for a sweet-heat kick.
- Maple Chipotle: Maple syrup, chipotle powder, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Brown Sugar BBQ: Brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, and a light BBQ sauce drizzle.
- Thai-Inspired: Lime juice, fish sauce (or soy sauce), garlic, and chopped peanuts.
- Lemon Herb: Lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and a touch of butter.
Can I make these in the oven?
Don’t have an air fryer? Yes! They can be cooked in an oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes until charred and crispy or on a grill for about 15 minutes. Place the corn ribs on a baking sheet, preheat the oven and then bake them.
How to store corn rib leftovers
Store the corn ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Air Fryer Elote Corn Ribs Ingredients
- 3 ears of fresh corn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning, sectioned
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1-2 limes, sectioned
- ⅓ cup cotija cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
How to Make Air Fryer Elote Corn Ribs
Prepare the corn by removing all the husks and silk, then wash and pat them dry.
Warm the corn in the microwave for two minutes, and let cool for 5 minutes. This helps with cutting them as the cores can be difficult to cut through.
Once cooled, cut off the ends of each ear of corn cob just below the stem and then break or cut them in half.
Cut the corn into riblets by standing them up vertically and carefully pushing a sharp knife down the center of the core.
You may need to use a mallet or rock the knife back and forth to help it cut through. Then repeat on each half piece of corn, making 8 pieces total from one ear of corn.
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, and then brush it onto each corn riblet.
Place the corn into your air fryer basket (you may need to air fry in 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer) and air fry on 385 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
While the corn is in the air fryer, make your sauce by mixing the sour cream, mayonnaise, remaining taco seasoning, and the juice of half a lime in a small bowl, and stir until combined.
You can use the sauce for dipping and/or put a few spoonfuls into a ziploc bag and cut a small hole in the corner to drizzle onto the corn ribs.
Once the riblets are done air frying, sprinkle the cotija cheese and squeeze some lime juice over them, and enjoy!
Summer Side Dish Recipes
- Baked sweet potato fries
- Frog Eye Salad
- Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad
- Sundried tomato pasta salad
- Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Elote Corn Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 ears of fresh corn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning sectioned
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1-2 limes sectioned
- ⅓ cup cotija cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the corn by removing all the husks and silk, then wash and pat them dry.
- Warm the corn in the microwave for two minutes, and let cool for 5 minutes. This helps with cutting them as the cores can be difficult to cut through.
- Once cooled, cut off the ends of each ear of corn cob just below the stem and then break or cut them in half.
- Cut the corn into riblets by standing them up vertically and carefully pushing a sharp knife down the center of the core.
- You may need to use a mallet or rock the knife back and forth to help it cut through. Then repeat on each half piece of corn, making 8 pieces total from one ear of corn.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, and then brush it onto each corn riblet.
- Place the corn into your air fryer basket (you may need to air fry in 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer) and air fry on 385 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
- While the corn is in the air fryer, make your sauce by mixing the sour cream, mayonnaise, remaining taco seasoning, and the juice of half a lime in a small bowl, and stir until combined.
- You can use the sauce for dipping and/or put a few spoonfuls into a ziploc bag and cut a small hole in the corner to drizzle onto the corn ribs.
- Once the riblets are done air frying, sprinkle the cotija cheese and squeeze some lime juice over them, and enjoy!
Follow Us For More!
Be sure to share your review in the comments below and follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok for even more food + family fun!