Description
Air Fryer Corn Ribs are a delicious and easy appetizer or side dish made by cutting corn on the cob into ribs, seasoning them with a flavorful spice blend, and air frying until perfectly crispy. Topped with a creamy, tangy Elote-style sauce featuring mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime, these corn ribs deliver a smoky, spicy, and savory bite that’s perfect for any occasion.
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 black 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 Ribs: Remove the husks from the 2 corn on the cobs. Cut off the stalk end to create a stable, flat base so the corn can stand upright. Place the flat end down on a cutting board and carefully cut each cob lengthwise down the center, then cut each half into 4 ribs, resulting in 8 corn ribs per cob.
- Make the Spice 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 black pepper until well combined.
- Season the Corn Ribs: Using a brush, coat each corn rib evenly with the olive oil spice mixture, ensuring all sides are covered for maximum flavor.
- Air Fry the Corn Ribs: Place the coated corn ribs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 10 minutes until the ribs are tender and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Prepare the Elote Sauce: In a separate small 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 season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- Serve: Brush the Elote sauce generously over each warm corn rib or serve the sauce on the side as a dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh corn on the cob for maximum sweetness and tenderness.
- Adjust the chili powder and paprika amounts to your spice preference.
- You can substitute cotija cheese with feta cheese if unavailable.
- Serve the corn ribs immediately after cooking to enjoy the crispy texture.
- Leftover corn ribs can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Keywords: corn ribs, air fryer corn ribs, elote sauce, Mexican corn, appetizer, air fryer recipes, vegetarian appetizer
