Description
This Air Fryer Corn Ribs recipe delivers a flavorful and fun twist on traditional corn on the cob. The corn is sliced into rib-like sections, seasoned with a smoky chili and garlic spice blend, and then air fried to crispy perfection. Topped with a creamy and tangy Elote-style sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime, these corn ribs make a perfect appetizer or side dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn Ribs
- 2 corn on the cob
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Elote Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the corn: Remove the husks from the 2 corn cobs. Cut the stalk off the end of each to create a stable, flat base so the corn can stand upright on a cutting board.
- Cut into ribs: Place the flat end of the cob on the board and slice down the center of the cob with a large, sharp knife. Then cut each cob into four rib-like sections.
- Make the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper until well combined.
- Brush the corn ribs: Generously brush the olive oil spice mixture on each corn rib to coat evenly.
- Air fry the corn ribs: Place the seasoned corn ribs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes until they are tender with crisp edges.
- Prepare the Elote sauce: In another bowl, combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly to blend flavors.
- Serve: Brush the Elote sauce onto each corn rib or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a sharp, sturdy knife to safely cut the corn into ribs.
- If you don’t have cotija cheese, feta cheese can be a suitable substitute.
- You can adjust the chili powder in both the seasoning and sauce to control the spice level.
- Serve this dish immediately after air frying for optimal crispiness.
- Leftover Elote sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: air fryer corn ribs, Mexican corn ribs, elote sauce, air fryer appetizer, corn on the cob recipe, smoky corn ribs
